The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1914-04-02
MARION ELEANOR DODD
sy RICHARD STRONG.

SolepnOu0 &uf-8n0 IlG0tiy 30. Ant
general indeed IL the recognition d
these sins by the public. But perhapl
telephone girls are aggravated beyond
the lot OF other mortals, and theil
good acts are not always recognized
as are those which destroy the peacl
Of mind OF the telephone public.
For instance, IL 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 Flea
nor one day to connect Charles Dudley
Smythe and Fannie Mayme Kirton on
her wires. From the first information
Of Fannie Mayma's voice as she an
swered Charles Dudley's inquiry Al
to her health the operator realized
that something was wrong. The briei
conversation which it was her sad
privilege to hear confirmed her firs'
realization. Charles Dudley was az
apology and reconciliation; Fannie
Mayme was all coldness and reserve
How meant" thought Marion Flea
nor to herself.
Now the relations Of Charles Dudley
Smythe and Fannie Mayme Kirtor
were town gossip-more than towI
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
been dream. He ardent and COMPEL
ing, she tender and receptive. Bott
proud of the other.
This was their first quarrel, 50
Judged the telephone girl, and judged
correctly. 1t gave her distinct SHOCK
when in answer to Charles Dudley's
greeting Fannie Wayne replied in jc1
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, II you please" came
an interruption.
Eyes, exactly, mean Miss Kirton
Er-I called you up because l wanted
to make amends for anything / may
have done or said last night which
may have seemed offensive. IL wat
trife piqued at your attitude towart
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 en-
plain or apologize for, / assure you
Mr.. Smythe. ! think the less SAID
about our little difference of opinion
the better for all concerned / bea
you to excuse me, as am verJ
busy"
Then both receivers dropped will
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 t.
any human being.
The days went by and the tow
began. to take notice Of the estrange
ment. It began to be whispered that
Charles Dudley and Fannie Wayne
we're 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 a friend were or
the wire one day and in answer te
some question as 20 his down-hearted |
ness, Charles Dudley told Of his es
arrangement from Fannie Wayne and
broke into the most impassioned pro
sestations 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 Wayne on the
wire waiting for a number. Now the
telephone girl, being woman herself
had very clear idea Of woman'i
point of view and she already had
figured it out. Fannie Mayme would
have been glad of a reconciliation y
1t could come about in manner -
she would do the pardoning and tbs
man would be properly humbled.
Instantly she recognized her oppor
tunity and with Napoleonic rapiditl |
she grasped 1t. She cut Fannie Mayma
into the conversation between Charles
Dudley and his friend.
When it was over she cut out the
friend and said sharply to Fannie
Nayme:
There's your NUMBER
There was preliminary skirmish o.
questions and answers before Fannie
Wayne finally discovered that she wal
connected with Charles Dudley and
the friend was out Then Fannie
Wayne said:
you're great goose to talk thai
sort of thing into q telephone for hali
the town to hear. II you have any
thing to say to me would It not bs
wise to come over and tell It to me
You know how dreadfully inquisitivs
and gossipy these horrid telephone
operators are anyway, and they sal
that snippy little Dodsis girl neves
yniscea an onnortunitv tn make trouhh |