The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-07-10
MARION ELEANOR DODD
ey RICHARD STRONG.

general indeed Is the recognition o
these sins by the public. But perhap
telephone girls are aggravated beyon
the lot of other mortals, and thei
good acts are not always recognized
as are those which destroy the peac
of mind of the telephone public.
For instance, if Marion Eleano
Dodds, an operator at ten per week
had not been full of charity and low
for human kind, at least one case O
true love would have miscarried ant
at least two hearts would have gon'
over the falls.
It became the duty of Marion Flea
nor one day to connect Charles Dude!
Smythe and Fannie Wayne Kirton OF
her wires. From the first information
of Fannie Mayme's voice as she an
swered Charles Dudley's inquiry a!
to her health the operator realized
that something was wrong. The brle
conversation which it was her sac
privilege to hear confirmed her frs
realization. Charles Dudley was al
apology and reconciliation; Fannie
Mayme was all GOODNESS and reserve
How mean" thought Marion Flea
nor to herself
Now the relations of Charles Dudley
Smythe and Fannie Mayme Kirtor
were town gossip-more than town
gossip, for they were of the very es
sence of the town life. The twain haC
mutually fallen in love, literally at first
sight their courtship thus far hac
been a dream He ardent and compel
Ding, she tender and receptive. Bott
proud of the other.
This was their first quarrel, sc
Judged the telephone girl, and judged
correctly. 1t gave her a distinct SHOCK
when in answer to Charles Dudley's
greeting Fannie Mayme replied in icy
tones:
well, Mr. Smythe"
There was evident apprehension ii
the voice of Charles Dudley as he re
joined
Il beg your pardon for disturbing
you, Fannie"
Miss Kirton, if you please" came
an interruption.
Yes, exactly, mean Miss Kirton
Er-I called you up because l wanted
to make amends for anything l may
have done or said last night which
may have seemed offensive. IL was
q trifie piqued at your attitude toward
that matter and-and-well, really,
did not mean to be rude or anything
you know"
Her answer came in the same chill
tones.
There is nothing whatever to ex
plain or apologize for l assure you
Mr.. Smythe. l think the less saiG
about our little difference of opinion
the better for all concerned. l bes
you to excuse me, as / am very
busy"
Then both receivers dropped with
two very decided chugs.
This episode haunted the telephone
girl for the days and weeks which fol
lowed, but she spoke no word of it tt
any human being.
The days went by and the town
began. to take notice of the estrange
ment. 1t began to be whispered thai
Charles Dudley and Fannie Wayne
were seen together no more. Nobody
but Marion Eleanor understood the
matter at all and she was mum as the
traditional church mouse.
, Then came her great opportunity.
Charles Dudley and friend were or
the wire one day and in answer tt
some question as to his down-hearted
ness, Charles Dudley told Of his es
arrangement from Fannie Mayme anC
broke into the most impassioned pro
testations of love and despair and self
accusation.
Now it so happened at the very mo
ment when this food of Charles Dud
,ley's hearts blood broke loose, Marion
Eleanor had Fannie Mayme on the
wire waiting for number. Now the
telephone girl, being a woman herself
had very clear idea of womans
point of view and she already haG
figured it out. Fannie Mayme would
have been glad of reconciliation il
1T could come about in a manner sc
she would do the pardoning and the
man would be properly humbled.
INSTABILITY she TtCOSulLSu ucl OppOi
Itunity and with Napoleonic rapidit!
she grasped it. She cut Fannie Mayme
into the conversation between Charles
dudley and his friend.
When it was over she cut out the
friend and said sharply to Fannie
Wayne:
There's your number"
There was preliminary skirmish o.
questions and answers before Fannie
IMayme finally discovered that she was
connected with Charles Dudley ant
the friend was out. Then Fannie
lMayme said:
You're a great goose to talk that
sort of thing into telephone for hal
the town to hear. If you have any
thing to say to me would it not BIZ
wise to come over and tell it to me
You know how dreadfully inquisitivt
and gossipy these horrid telephone
operators are anyway, and they sa!
that snippy little Dodds girl never
misses an opportunity to make trouble
If she can get people by the ears"
Both receivers dropped again will
two thuds and while Charles Dude!
hastened to the side of Fannie Mayme
that the billing and cooling might agail