The Ordway new era., 1915-03-12

.it's Because He's an EIsetriesi
Maniac"
the old orchard road near the farm.
Fifteen minutes earlier she repaired
to the old tree that had been to them
Q favorite trysting place.
Ned came spinning along on his
bicycle, not a moment late. . fne
specimen of healthy. buoyant
young man interested and happy in
his work He swung coil of wire
and his tool bag to the road and was
over the fence iiaa Joyous leap.
Dear grill" he said fondly. and
then started at Hetty in alarm. for
she was weeping.
Bit by bit the miserable story came
out. He consoled her. he reiterated
his love. He said nothing Of revenge.
elopement or encouragement.
Little lady" he observed In his
hopeful sanguine way. "all right! II I
can't see you. can keep on loving
you. can't II"
"Yes, yes" murmured Hetty bro
kenly, but I shan't hear-those low
ing words! Why. not to have you tell
me how you think Of me every day"
"But you SHALL" announced Ned
definitely. "You have agreed not to
write to me. Don't You have prom
ised not to heet me. Keep your
word. ri arrange all that but-trust
me to break down this wall Of preju-
dice. Oceans shant part us. In the
meantime. until things settle down
this"
Ned drew from his coat pocket one
OF the tools he used In putting n
wires. He waved Il buoyantly.
-Youdsr," he said. pointing to the
barb wire fence. lis conductor right
1t, hand ri connect up half . mile
down the road with Farmer Moorss
house line The feeder will 20 mp
there" and he pointed among the
branches Of tho Old apple tree.
"Oh, Ned!" cried Hetty. clasping
her hands in ecstasy. "you-you don't
mean.
That I am going to put . teie-
phone especially for you up in that
tree. Why, every evening we can talk
over the line for hours. II We want TO-"
You darling!" exuberated Hetty
breathlessly. "Oh, how fortunate II
is that you know all about tsls-
phnnes'"
It'll be at my task bright and eariJ
tomorrow before your uncle Is up and
about" planned Ned. Come here to
morrow evening. climb up in tho tree
There's a comfortable seat on the sec
ond branch. Take down the receiver
Gail up Xxx I'll arrange with thu
switch board girls a. to what that
means. Then--last kiss here, but III
send you . dozen over the wires
every EVENING""
on. the delight Of IL! That blissful
twilight hour! The deft hand Of the
master workman had arranged the
wires 80 that only suspicious, search.
ing person could have guessed the
mission Of the double wire loop run.
ming from the fence up into the old
apple tree.
For three consecutive evenings Het
ty sauntered carelessly down the
road. Her uncle supposed she was 60
ing to visit the daughter of the farm
er just next to them. Hetty had NO
ticed him standing at the door of the
house the last evening of the three,
watching her till she was out Of sight
She made . cautious detour to reach
tho old tree.
The fourth evening Hetty did not
start away until she saw Mr.. Barclay
busy In what he called his little Of
ice. looking over his business papers
1t was quite dusk by the time she
reached her destination.
She had climbed into the tree and
had herself comfortably disposed
when she was startled by q low quick
whistle. A man came over the fence
rough looking and sinister. He stood
directly beneath her leafy shelter.
1t was he who had uttered thu
whistle and In few moments com