Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-02-21
.vANISHEDROMANCE
That "An That Glitters Is Not
Gold" Young Man Found
Out to His Cost.

. a.r 4- %
Mamie Matsonf was night operator
for the telephone company at Binns-
vile. Mamie was very nimble at the
switchboard. She was also abreast OF
The times. Her couture always fol-
lowed accurately the latest exploita.
ton in the Beauty Talks to Girls and
her conversation was richly seasoned
with the up-to-the.minute phrases
from the Elite barber shop and the
Palace confectionery. cigars and bill.
llards Evansville did not support =
vaudeville theater.
Clyde Phillips was young man Of
prominence In the town. 1t was his
custom to telephone three or four
times q week. always In the evening.
to Myra Raymond, who lived In Pc.
oria, ten miles away. Wedding plans
had been expected from that quar-
ter by Binnsville's elect for couple
OF years. 1t was while asking for
Myra that Clyde first became aware
Of the piquant methods of Mamie
Matson.
Something's the matter with your
line. Mr.. Phillips. II you want to
jolly with the Belle OF Peoria. you'll
have to best 1t over here"
- After dozen minutes over the wire
with the girl who had been his sweet
heart since the sixth grade In public
school. Clyde Phillips stopped for q
half hour chat with the night opera.
tor. ~ r
Gee. it must be great to have a
fellow like you daily about you!"
sighed blonde Mamie with side
glance from one marvelously blue eye,
Possible it was the breeze OF her
conversation that frequently took him
within the railing Of the Binnsv f;ie
Telephone company office after that;
or perhaps it was that feverish, ihte-.
est in the working, girl that at some
time or other usually manifests itself
in man. At any rate. his long! dis.
tal,ce telephoning was henceforth con.
Quoted from the telephone office And
often he stopped when he had no tele-
phoning in mind.
Evansville had begun to talk. wink
and cock its head to one side. 1t
was said on the most reliable author
ity that clyde Phillips hadn't driv.
en- to Peoria for th,rty.two days." and
was head over .eels in love With the
night operator All the gossip came
to Clyde's ears. and that young per.
son pictured himself as devil OF a
fellow" and was thus further lured
to the chase. u
Though he had known Mamie six
months, he had never been in her
home. 1t was always during work
ing hours that he saw her. And
though he had heard that the Mat
sous were queer lot he figured that
he had nothing to do with the family.
Here was a flower grown from 4
mud puddle. So they eioped, '1>'
i When the bride and groom returned
to the little home that had been made
ready for them during their honey.
moon. Nan Phillips was still the
might operator She slept most OF
the day away and prowled at night
The home was topay-turvy. She had
q way OF leaving everything out OF
it's place. Her, couture still retained
the correct lines when on parade. but
at other times Nannie's puffs and
what-nots were as likely to be in the
ice-chest as In their prescribed place
Nor did her conversation smack less
of the street. Her manners were OF
another mold from those Of her hus'
band. What had fascinated in the
telephone Office. now exasperated.
II wish you could remember to take
your soup without burying your head
in your plate" said her husband
sharply one evening.
"Lordy, might miss somethin'!"
care triumphantly from his wife.
mo man can stand this. I'm 30.
ing over. to sisters to finish my din.
ner' He rose from the table, crossed
the room in two strides. and slammed
the front door vigorous. s- 5.s
IA Mamie finished her meal, curled up
in a slightly soiled kimono, amid a
shower Of sofa cushions and picked
up Elinor Glyn's latest novel. +
When Clyde came home he took his
wife in his arms and told her he
would never be cross again She
smiled childishly OF him. wriggled
from his embrace. asked him to get
her some chocolate creams. and went
on with her book. @s..> ri
Clyde Phillips has kept his word.
A few there are who know the hero
Ism it takes to bear his cross. Myrs
went east to visit a cousin when Nan.
ME and Clyde were married. Soon
after her return, she called on Mamie
CLYDE came in as she was leaving.
Gee, amt he the grand kid? Jts
great to have a fellow like that dafy
about you"
Myra Raymond smiled at Mamie.
hut when she turned to Clyde and
nut her hand in his, there was that
il its clasp that went to his very
soul. and in the glance that followed.
the old, old story was heard And
Evansville is wondering II he will tell
her ii words! buffalo Express.
!. e Ghost and Meat.
d. . = 81 49,. q q q - ~. ~