Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-04-04
''II'''D| oD ON THE PHONE
SBy LOUISE OLIVER.


 +ice. MT. Stoughton himself, seated op- poslte, was trying his best to look as Il railroad presidents and their satel- ares were customary visitors. He smoked one of his own 5O-cent cigars, 5 dozen of which he had kept in the saTe for months for just such longed- Tor emergency.
 On the table was map of a certain section of certain state with dotted llnes running over it like dress makers guide, and here and there great splotches of black ink that evil uently had something to do with the present conference, for every now and then the president or Mir. Dill would iean forward and trace around these places With well-manicured forefingers. MT. Stoughton was playing the part of ligtener.
 'You see," explained the president, 'tE wouldn't do for the people in tslese sections to discover that we are running these branch lines into their eountry--''
 The telephone rang just then. MT. stoughton looked annoyed. There was no office girl to answer it, for so far he had not needed the services of one. Legal papers, all that he had, could be copied by the public stenographer across the hall.
 Inc president settled back in his chair as the phone with automatic reg 1arity sounded its staccato notes. There was no use in trying to compete with it for the young lawyers atten- ton. MT. Stoughton went over to his desk and took down the receiver.
 "HellO"
 "1s that you, Jack?"
 "YeS."
 "What are you doing?" <at t
 "Busy." t U.
 "Oh, pshaw! You're always busy.'
 "Ill call you. later," answered Jack.
 The president picked up his words precisely !whefe he had left off. He was not accustomed Ito repeating.
 "-on account of the coal deposits. So far they are not even aware that 1t lis there. But we have had experts throughout the three counties for a year and find that the whole district is rich. The thing is that if we buy up that property, even on an option, in our own name-"
 The telephone rang again. MT. Stoughton's hands closed tight as if he would like to choke it's metallic throat. The president again sat back in his chair and the secretary drummed impatiently on the table.
 "Hello!" called Jack, answering it's irsistent ring for the second time.
 Jackie, dear! Pm so sorry I was cross," came Marjorie's voice, "and I know you didn't mean to be rude. I've been thinking about you all day, and how lovely it will be when we're mar ried and have our little bungalow up on the hill. It's just like fairy tale, isn't it, Jackie?'
 "Yes" responded Jack, in as busi- nesslike a tone as he could command. Perhaps I'd better call you later-rm very busy just new."
 OA-uil lISut, COluly. And again he returned to the table.
 "-there's going to be hold-up when we try to get our right of way the president continued. "So our company has decided to engage the services of an attorney to handle the situation, get all options in his own name and to handle the situation generally. Our own lawyer would not do for the req son mentioned. Now as to com- mission-of course, 1t would mean" The telephone rang again. The sec retary Jumped up and walked the floor and the president this time looked very much annoyed.
 'Hello!" he called for the third time,
 "Jack, don't be cross, please. but I've been crying, crying: think of it. You've acted so queerly today. I'm so miserable because know you don't love me any more!'
 'Why, do, dear!'
 "Then you'll have to say 1t. the whole thing, -you-Marjorie, just like, before I'll believe you."
 He obeyed. "I love you, Marjorie" What else was there for 1t?
 The railroad president pushed back his chair and got up, and when Jack left the phone his visitors had their maps folded and their hats, coats and sticks ready to depart.
 eve had better take up the matter at some future time when you're not so busy, MT. Stoughton."
 'Some other time, perhaps" was the answer as he bowed them out. But Jack knew that he had lost thousands of dollars forever.
 'Dearie," said Jack that evening when they were out in the garden, a paradise of sweet spring fragrance that was intoxicating, i've can't ever build that bungalow if we aren't care- ful. l lost good chance today" And then he told her as tactfully as he could what had happened.
 "The Midway and Northern! Why, that's Uncle Ben! I told him to go to you, and I'll just interrupt him all like. I'll fell him fO on rioht hocl- ;n