Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-10-18
CUPID ON THE Phone
BY LOUISE OLIVER.
:.:;:;.:;.:;.:

p0Slte, was trying his best 10 look AZ
If railroad presidents and their satel-
lites were customary visitors. He
smoked one VI his own 50-cent cigars,
dozen OF which he had kept In the
safe for months for just such longed-
for emergency.
On the table was u map VI certain
section Of certain state with dotted
lines running over II like dress
makers guide, and here and there
great splotches VI 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 forehngers.
Mr.. Stought0n was playing the part OF
listener.
You see" explained the president.
at wouldn't do for the people In
these sections 10 discover that we are
RUNNING these branch lines into their
country"
Inv A'iNl'liuhC iuhe JUST bhSh' ~AA .
Stoughton looked annoyed. There was
no office girl To answer il. for 50 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 It's staccato notes.
There was Il" use In trying TO compete
with II Tor the young lawyers atten-
zion. Mr.. Stoughton went over 10 his
desk and took down the receiver.
Hello"
( lis that you, Jack?"
YES"
"What are you dolng?"
"BUSy"
"uh. pshaw! You're always busy"
"lll call you later" answered Jack.
Thee president picked up his words
precisely where he had left of. He was
nor accustomed 10 repeating.
OH account of the coal deposits.
/ So far they are not even aware that II
/ Is there. But We have had experts
! throughout the three counties for a
year and lind that the whole district 10
rich. The thing is that II We buy up
that property. even On an option, 10
our own name"
The telephone rang again. Mr..
/ StOughtOn'S hands closed tight as II
be- would like TO choke its metallic
throat. The president again SAT back
iu his chair aud the secretary
drummed impatiently on the table.
"Hellow called Jack, answering its
insistent ring for the second time.
Jackie, dear I'm so sorry / was
cross" came Marjorie's voice, land /
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 "a fairy tale,
isn't It, Jackie?"
yes" responded Jack. in as bust
nesslike q tone as he could command.
Perhaps I'd better call you later-rm
very busy just now"
"Oh--nll 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 to
handle the situation generally. Our
own lawyer would not do for the rea-
son I mentioned. Now as to q COM
nission-Of course, it would mean"
The telephone rang again. The sec
rotary jumped up and walked the moor
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, l do, dear"
"Then you'll have to say 1t, the
whole thing, I-love-you-MarJorie,
Just like, before I'll believe you"
He Obeyed. II love you, Marjorie
What else was there for II?
The railroad president pushed bach
his chair and got up. and when Jacl
left the phone his visitors had theil
maps folded and their hats, coats and
sticks ready to depart.
1--WE had better take mp the mattel
ut some future time when you're MOI
SO busy, Mr.. StoughtOn."
"Some other time, perhaps" was thu
answer as he bowed them out. Blu
Jack knew that he had lost thousand
of dollars forever.
'Dearle," said Jack that evenint
when they were out in the garden,
paradise Of sweet spring fragrance
that was intoxicating, 1--WE can't eve
build that bungalow II we aren't care
full. lost a good chance today" Ant
then he told her as tactfully a. n
could what had happened.
he Midway and Northerni Why
that's Uncle Bent told him to 90 q
Won, and I'll Just interrupt him al
like. I'll tell him TO 60 right back u
the morningT" And the rest OF N