The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-09-06
By ! ong
Distance

Mrs. Adams Dcained In conscious
pride as she lifted the telephone re-
ceiver from the hook.
"Oh, I just know it's Jane" she muir
INJURED, ecstatically, to her. caller, as
she waited. You'll excuse me. won't
you? 1t won't take long, and we're go
ing to call each other up every single
week while she's at college. You see,
this is her first week and | just
know
Yes, yes. Hello! Yes, this is Mrs.
Adams. Oh. Jane, is that you Your
voice sounded just as natural. You
poor child, you must be terribly lone
ly!" (Aside-"She's never been away
before.')
"Oh, I'm SO glad you like IT." aside
She's SO brave.")
You're just getting settled? Haven't
started your studies yet? Don't know
what you'll take? That's right, dear;
be sure you're comfortable first.
Eyes, darling, I'll be glad to make
1t. Chocolate, you say? Are you sure
1t won't be crushed in the express?
Oh, very well. Just moment, until
l get a pencil and paper to put down
the address.
(Aside-1s She's asking me to send
her cake. They're to have spread.
and she promised to furnish the cake.
Isn't that just like her, to offer to help
right away? Jane is always so anx-
ious to help Others You must excuse
me-when think of her away off
there all alone, and no one to do
things for her, it brings tears to my
eyes! Oh, dear, where shall / find
pencil and paper?")
Here am, Jane. dear. It's so hard
to find writing material in this house.
There! Yes, have it. I'll make it to-
express Office. Yes, I'll make few OF
those rocks, too, and-all right, some
ginger nuts, too. Oh, I'll put In lots Of
good things, to surprise you.
"Is your bed soft, dear? Have you
enough coverings? Oh, just a minute,
dear, there goes the door bell" (Mrs.
Adams hastens to the door, returning
in about five minutes.)
Hello, Jane. 1t was your Aunt
May, in the auto. She wanted to take
me out. No, told her / didn't want
to CO. She said Jim is engaged to that
Smith girl. Yes, it's a shame. I'll
never get over being glad that you
were girl instead of boy.
$50 you like the girls? I'm so glad!
Ones friends count for so much when
ones away from home!
isn't it lovely to have the tele-
phone! I've been counting, ever since
you left, on talking with you! 1t al
most seems as If you We're at home,
here!
"Be careful. won't you, dear, not to
/ get your feet wet, and to wear your
warm coat, If it's the least bit damp.
And don't study too hard. Ambition
is all right, but don't overdo 1t. dear.
You've got your whole life before you.
WHAT You wish you had another
party dress? Your pink is too plain?
/ Well, I'll see If Mrs. Simmons can
make another for you. Write me just
how you want it made, and We'll have
it there before the dance.
you want to join a sorority? All
4 rlSQu. But De Careful W SSt III Will
/ the incest girls, won't you? l trust
you perfectly.
/ well. be good, and don't miss us
too nuch-and write often-and call
ne up soon. won't you-whenever
you're lonely? Goodby.
j why, central! 1t was not! Tho
| idea! Twenty minutes? Why, we
talked only about three minutes. Five
at the most. Well, could help it II
i the doorbell rang. and had to leave
/ for while? Why, | most assuredly
/ did not have the wire when l was at
the door. Very we'll, send the bill,
and we shall sect" She thumped
down the telephone receiver.
"The idea! Charging for twenty
minutes, when | just said hello to
Jane. I shall tell my husband! They
/ think they can do anything they please,
/ but he'll talk to them! Poor Jane!
/ She's SO lonely! And these selfish tel
ephone people won't let me talk with
out charging such awful prices!"