The Prescott daily news., 1913-06-23
MARION ELEANOR DODD
By RICHARD STRONG.

 good acts are not always recognized as are those which destroy the peace of mind of the telephone public.
 For instance, if Marion Eleanor Dodds, an operator at ten per week. had not been full of charity and love for human kind, at least one case of true love would have miscarried and at least two hearts would have gone over the falls.
 It became the duty of Marion Elea- nor one day to connect Charles Dudley Smythe and Fannie Mayme Kirton on her wires. From the first intonation of Fannie Mayme's voice as she an. swered Charles Dudleys inquiry as to her health the operator realized that something was wrong. The brief conversation which 1t was her sad privilege to hear confirmed her first realization. Charles Dudley was all apology and reconciliation: Fannie Mayme was all coldness and reserve.
 How mean! thought Marion Flea nor to herself.
 Now the relations of Charles Dudley Smythe and Fannie Mayme Kirton were town gossip-more than town gossip, for they were of the very es- sence of the town life. The twain had mutually fallen in love, literally at first sight their courtship thus far had beensa dream. He ardent and compell- ing, she tender and receptive. Both proud of the other.
 This was their first quarrel, so judged the telephone girl. and judged correctly. It gave her distinct shock when in answer to Charles Dudley's greeting Fannie Mayme replied in>icy tones:
 Well, MT. Smythe.'
 There was evident apprehension in joined
 TT beg your pardon for disturbing you, Fannie"
 Miss Kirton, if you please" came an interruption.
 Yes, exactly, I mean Miss Kirton, Er-I called you up because I wanted to make amends for Anything I may have done or said last night which may have seemed offensive. I-I was a trife piqued at your attitude toward that matter and-and-well, really, l 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, assure you, MT. Smythe. I think the less said about our little difference of opinion the better for all concerned. l beg you to excuse me, as l 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 to any human being.
 The days went by and the town began. to take notice of the estrange- ment. It began to be whispered that Charles Dudley and Fannie Mayme 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 on the wire one day and in answer to some question as to his down-hearted- ness, Charles Dudley told of his es- arrangement from Fannie Mayme and 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 flood of Charles Dud- ley's hearts blood broke loose, Marion Eleanor had Fannie Mayme on the wire waiting for a number. Now the telephone girl, being woman herself, had very clear idea of woman's point of view and she already had figured it out. Fannie Mayme would have been glad of reconciliation if 1t could come about in manner so she would do the pardoning and the man would be properly humbled.
 Instantly she recognized her oppor- tunity and with Napoleonic rapidity 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 Mayme: