Smyrna times., 1911-08-23

rather nard TO Calk TO. L dSke0 ueE
who was the girl she was with when
| was introduced to her, and she said
she was Agnes Miller and, taking the
hint, offered to introduce me. l ac-
cepted and was introduced.
| don't think l ever chuckled so in
my life as when found myself incog-
nito chatting with the girl whom l
had been saying soft things to over
the wire. l made up my mind to stave
off the denouement as long as possible.
Not for the world would l 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, |
Ecthng would tempt me to risk giving |
away the whole thing by doing so.
l danced several times with Agnes
Miller and once with her friend Ell
len Ormsby. 1 concluded to go slow
with Miss Miller. but l got in num-
Der Of compliments and several looks
indicating my admiration for her.
When l left her to catch my train,
which l did before the dance had end
ed. | pressed her hand and received a
slight pressure in return.
Very soon after this 1 received a
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 photOgraph-he 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 l was still unknown to her
except through Sam Atkins photo
graph. She continued to complain Of
the dullness of e., so 1 concluded tC
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 l
must let that out some time, and there
was no especial reason for delay. s..
She accepted the invitation with
alacrity and appointed a night. I pro
cured a 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 a bit OF
orange ribbon worn in my buttonhole
To keep up the fraud till her arrival
l asked her to carry a few violets in
her left hand.
When Miss Miller alighted from the
train and saw me, whom she had me-
before, with the orange ribbon in my
buttOnhOle she stood still for a mo
ment; then. simply remarking that W.
had met before and l had deceived hel
about the photograph, we left the sta
ton. and, since it was a summer even
ing and an hour must elapse befor
the play would begin. we walked to
park or central square and sat dow
on one of the benches. She then re
proved me mildly for sending her tn
wrong photograph. but said she didn'
mind that since she had made m
acquaintance at G.
When we entered the theater an
took our seats but few people ha
arrived. We enjoyed ourselves chat
ting about our telegraphic correspond
ence and watching the audience com
in. Suddenly my heart stood still.
Z Who should enter and take the tw
seats in the next row in front of u
but Sam Atkins and Miss Miller
friend, whom had met at G.. Ellie
= Ormsby.
The expression on their faces wa
to say the least, peculiar. Smile
were struggling to assert themselve
which the three were endeavoring I
suppress. | cast hasty glance at m
companion and saw her eyes fairl
dance with a mingled delight. mschi'
> and triumph.
| knew at once that the game / ha
been playing had not only been disco
cred. but had been turned against m
, sam. you rascal!' ! eXclaime
: you're a traitor to your own sex"
1t My remark occasioned a burst {
4 laughter from the whole party excel
: myself.
I" Come" l said, "explain the matter
At this moment the orchestra struC
e. up the overture, and in ten minute
E more the curtain rose. My tOrmentO
q forced me to wait till the end of tt
first act before giving me an explain
D. ton; then my companion said:
q Nellie Ormsby is a telegraph o
"a orator at the G. station and has bet
70 your correspondent. She sent you II
u photograph. with my consent instes
"a of her own, and, having no more co
fdence in you in such a matter tn;
m herself, did not believe the hkene
m you sent her was your own. She we
l to NJ, taking the photograph with be
as and a mutual friend of hers and N
I'd Atkins there told her that it was
be picture. Before leaving town she sa
m you at work at your instrument al
to knew that you were her eorrespon
1 ent Then Mr.. Atkins returned fro
ce the war. She went again to NJ, ma
Of committeeman and fold him Z