Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-05-04
CUPID ON THE PHONE.
BY LOUISE OLIVER.
'y.I.1Sy.y.ySy.y.y.Sxx.N.NxyxyxSxNXNXN

fee Mr.. StOughton himself, seated OPP
posite, was trying his best to look as
If railroad presidents and their satel-
lites were customary visitors. He
smoked one Of his own 5O-cent cigars,
a dozen of which he had kept In the
safe for months for just such longed-
for emergency.
On the table was a map of certaip
section of a certain state with dotted
lines running over it like dress
makers guide, and here and there
great splOtches of black ink that EVIL
IDENTIFY had something to do with the
present conference, for every now and
then the president or Mr.. Dill would
lean forward and trace around these
places with well-manicured forefngers.
Mr.. Stoughton was playing the part OF
listener.
you see," explained the president,
ut wouldn't do for the people In
these sections to discover that we are
running these branch lines into their
country"
The telephone rang just then. Mr..
StOughtOn looked annoyed. There was
no Office girl to answer 1t. 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.
The president settled back in his
chair as the phone with automatic reg
ularity sounded its staccatO notes.
There was no use In trying to compete
with 1t for the young lawyers atten-
ton. Mr.. Stoughton went over to his
desk and took down the receiver.
"HellO"
'Is that you, JACKIE"
Eyes"
"What are you doing3"
BUSY"
"Oh, pshaw! You're always busy"
"I'll call you later" answered Jack.
The president picked up his words
precisely where he had left of. He was
not accustomed to repeating.
| ON account Of the coal deposits.
So far they are not even aware that 1t
is there. But we have had experts
/
year and find that the whole district Is
rich. The thing is that II we buy up
that property, even on an option, In
our own name"
The telephone rang again. Mr..
StoughtOn's hands closed tight as II
he would like to choke its metallic
throat. The president again sat back
In his chair and the secretary
drummed impatiently on the table.
"Hellor' called Jack, answering Its
insistent ring for the second time.
Jackie, dearl I'm so sorry was
cross" came Marjorie's voice, "and /
know you didn't mean to be rude. I've
been thinking about you all day, and
how lovely 1T 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, JackieT"
"Yesw responded Jack. IN as busi-
nesslike a tone as he could command.
perhaps I'd better call you later-rm
very busy just now"
"Oh-all right" cOldly.
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. $50 our company
has decided to engage the services OF
an attorney to handle the situation
get all options in his own name and t.
handle the situation generally. Oul
own lawyer would not do for the rea
son / mentioned. Now as to a com
mission-of course, 1t would mean
The telephone rang again. The sec
rotary jumped up and walked the foo
and the president this time looked yer!
much annoyed.
, "Hello!" he called for the third time
|. Jack, don't be cross, please, bu
I've been crying, crying; think Of II
: You've acted so queerly today. Tn
J so miserable because know you don
{ love me any more!
"Why, I do, dear!"
"Then you'll have to say 1t, tn
} whole thing, T-love-yeu-Marjorie
: Just like, before I'll believe you"
He obeyed. II love you, Marjorie.
What else was there for It?
The railroad president pushed bac
/, his chair and got up, and when JAG
l. left the phone his visitors had -thei
It maps folded and their hats, coats an
sticks ready to depart.
p eve had better take up the matte
l. at some future time when you're nc
so busy. Mr.. StOughton."
It "Some other time. perhaps" was tn
answer as he bowed them out. Blu
Jack knew that he had lost thousand
d Of dollars forever.
"Dearie," said Jack that evenin
, when they were out In the garden.
e paradise of sweet spring fragranc
9 that was intoxicating, I'VE can't eve
build that bungalow II we aren't car
full. lost a good chance today" An
then he told her as tactfully as b
K could what had happened.
, "The Midway and Northerni VIII
n that's Uncle Ben! told him to 60
q you, and I'll just interrupt him all
y like. I'll tell him to 60 right back
= the morningI" And the rest Of Il
D conversation doesn't concern Us at al
(Copyright, 1917. by the Mcclure Newsp
Der Syndicate)