The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-08-09

rather hard to talk TO. 1 asked her
who was tho girl she was with when
was introduced to her, and she said
she was Agnes Miller and, taking the
hint, offered 10 introduce me- ac-
cepted and was introduced.
don't think ever chuckled SO In
my life as when ! found myself incog-
nito chatting with the girl whom I
had been saying soft things to over
the wire. made up my mind to stave
or the denouement as long as possible.
Not for the world would / give her
any clew to my identity by the slight
est reference TO what had passed be-
tween us. And as to letting her know
even that was a telegraph operator,
nothing would tempt mo to risk giving
away the whole thing by doing so.
danced several times with Agnes
Miller and once with her friend Ell
len Ormsby. i concluded to go slow
with Miss Miller, but got I'm q num-
Der of compliments and several looks
indicating my admiration for her.
When left her to catch my train,
which did before the dance had end
ed, pressed her hand and received q
slight pressure in return.
Very soon after this 1 received n
shock at the return of Sam Atkins.
The Spanish war was over, and Sam
had come home in excellent health and
handsome as ever. What disconnected
me was that in some way-I having
sent my girl his Photographic might
spoil my fun But on second thought
it occurred TO me that there was no
likelihood OF this since she was so
far from both of us.
On my return from G.. resumed my
telegraphic chat with her. enjoying 1t
far more than before from having
made her acquaintance. 1t was very
amusing to talk with her, having seen
her. while / was still unknown to her
except through Sam Atkins photo.
graph. She continued to complain of
the dullness OF g., so I concluded to
ask her TO come to town and go with
me to the theater. This would let
her into the secret OF my having sent
her another mans photograph. but /
must let that out some time, and there
was no especial reason for delay.
She accepted the invitation with
alacrity and appointed a night. pro-
cured q couple of seats and wrote her
that would meet her at the station
and take her from there to the thea
ter: she would know me by bit OF
orange ribbon worn in my buttonhole.
To keep up the fraud till her arrival
asked her to carry q few violets in
her left hand.
When Miss Miller alighted from the
train and saw me, whom she had met
before, with the orange ribbon in my
buttonhole she stood still for a mo-
ment; then. simply remarldng that we
had met before and I had deceived her
about the photograph, we left tho sta.
ton, and. since It was summer even.
ing and an hour must elapse before
the play would begin. we walked to a
on one of the benches. She then re-
proved me mildly for sending her the
wrong photograph, but said she didn't
mind that since she had made my
acquaintance at q.
When we entered the theater and
took our seats but few people had
arrived. We enjoyed ourselves chat.
ting about our telegraphic correspond
ence and watching the audience come
I'm. Suddenly my heart stood still.
Who should enter and take the two
seats in the next row in front OF us
but Sam Atkins and Miss Afiller's
friend, whom / had met at G., Ellen
Ormsby.
The expression on their faces was,
to say the least peculiar. Smiles
were struggling to assert themselves
which the three were endeavorlng to
suppress. l cast hasty glance ut my
and saw her eyes fairly
dance with mingled delight, mischief
and triumph.
i knew at once that the game / had
been playing had not only been discov.
cred, but had been turned against me-
"Sam, you rascal" exclaimed.
You're traitor to your own sexl"
My remark occasioned q burst of
laughter from the whole party except
myself.
Come" said, explain the matter"
At this moment the orchestra struck
up the overture, and in ten minutes
more the curtain rose. My tormentors
forced me TO wait till the end of the
first act before giving mo IN explana-
ton; then my companion said:
Nellie Ormsby is telegraph OPP
orator at the G. station and has been
your correspondent She sent you my
with my consent instead
Of her own, and. having no more con-
1dence In you in such a matter than
herself, did not believe the likeness
you sent her was your own. She went
10 NJ. taking the photograph with her,
md mutual friend of hers and Mr..
Atkins there told her that IT was his
picture. Before leaving town she saw
you mt work at your instrument and
Knew that you were her correspond
mt Then Mr.. Atkins returned from
he war. She went again to NJ, made
ais acquaintance and told him the
'ecret
Meanwhile you had gone to c., and
he moment you entered the ballroom
Nellie recognized you. She saw youi
attention fixed on mo md introduced