Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1913-10-03
Evidence BY
/ telephone
By EDWIN WATERMAN


game of poker, for instance-but to
conceal such from my fiancee. 1t seem
ed to me that there would be 10 use
in letting her know about them, for
once married. proposed to settle
down and be a thoroughly domestic
man.
What was my horror one day when
my bosom friend, George Brewster,
came TO me and said:
Great Scott. Billy! What do you
suppose that tattler, Madge Ellis, has
been telling Clara about your"
"WhatT'
why, that you drink, gamble and
have already Tilted four girls that she
knows of and as many mere that she
don't know Of"
You don't mean itr'
II certainly do"
II wish she were a man: I'd make
her eat her words"
she isn't man and you've got
lot of diplomacy on your hands"
What can do?"
George thought awhile, then said:
II have 1.-THE telephone!
What do you meanT'
AT Clara's home there Is a receiver
upstairs and one downstairs. You go
to see Clara and send up word that
you've come to explain Madges ale
cations. / don't know whether Clara
will see you. but If she does don't try
to explain by denial; 1t won't do any
good: prove your case by telephone.
Station Clara at one of the receivers
and call up Madge at the other; then
make Madge go back on what she has
said about you while Clara is listen
ing"
How can I do thatT'
Don't ask me. Have you no inven-
tive power? Lay plan. if you can.
before you begin 30 talk: If not, rely
on your wits and be guided by what
Madge says"
That afternoon l called on Clara, and
l was half an hour getting an inter
view When l succeeded l told her
that l would call up very dear friend
of mine who would disprove the
charges against me and that | wished
her to hear what was said without the
other person knowing she was listen
ing. She consented. and | started the
game.
Now. | knew what neither Billy nor
Clara knew-tha Madse was one of
the girls ! had Tilted That is to say.
she had tried to rake me in. and | had
declined to be raked. Clara went to
the receiver upstairs and | to the one
downstairs. l called up Madge, and
the following dialogue ensued:
rs that you, Madge?"
"Yes. VINO is this?"
I'm Billy Meredith"
"Oh."
How would you like to go to the
theater with me tomorrow nighty"
The theaterf"
Yes"
what would Clara Underwood sayY'
"Oh, she wouldn't care. Didn't you
know that my engagement with her is
broken?"
"No; is it?'
YES; Clara broke it. but l have been
| for some time wishing to be free"
SWhy"
For certain reasons?'
What reasonsT'
"Well, I've never felt right about
you. | didn't realize-but a telephone
Isn't the means by which to talk over
"Clara is very lovely girl. l Won
der you didn't stick to her.
she has her faults"
"Well-yes-some faults"
such as?"
We'll. she affects TO be awfully good
I don't believe she's any better than
any one else
81 don't either. She thinks I'm q
bad one That's one reason why she
broke with me. Did you ever hear thai
l drank"
NO. And | know you don't, at least
not immoderately."
"Or gambler"
"Certainly not"
COR that Pm generally wildT
"How ridiculous.
"Wel, how about going TO the thea
ter tomorrow nightT"
81 have an engagement for tOmOr
row night, but can break it,
81 wouldn't do that. haven
bought the tickets yet I'll see fol-
what night can get them and call yol
up again. Goodby."
Without waiting to hear her owl
goodby | hung up the receiver anC
waited for Clara TO come down to me
| feared that Der ire would overcome
her discretion. but she controlled her
self, and IN few moments | heard he
footsteps on the staircase. She ap
preached me with extended arms,
clasped her in mine, and we stood 70
awhile without speaking. When sh'
dlsengaged herself | saw that her eye
were moist
THE horrid thingw were the frs
words she uttered.
"You see that I'm not so bad as sh
painted me-"
"Why, do you know the little liza
| tnld me- Won nlavad carda for none