The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-16
EVENING STORY
Cupid on the Phone.
(BY Louise OliYer.D

nee. Mr. StOOSnIOn HlIIlBelI, seated
opposite, was trying his best to look
as if railroad presidents and their
satellites were customary visitors. He
smoked one of 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 a map of certain
section of a certain state, with dotted
lines running over it like a 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 we'll manicured fore
fingers Mr.. Stoughton was playing
the part of listener.
You see," explained the president,
ait wouldn't do for the people in these
sections to discover that we are run
ming these branch lines into their
country
The telephone rang just then. Mr..
| 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 stenog-
| rapher across the hall.
The president settled back in his
chair as the phone with automatic
regularity sounded its staccato notes.
There was no use Gin trying to COM
| pete with it for the lawyers attention.
Mr. Stoughton went over to his desk
and took down the receiver.
"Helloi"
rs that you. Jack ~
What are you doing?"
| Busy
'oh, pshaw! You're always busy"
| what do you want? ?" asked Jack.
| He wanted to add dear but with
presidents and secretaries present it
seemed impossible.
+ Il don't want anything, answered
| Marjorie Hawthorne with asperity
/ I'm not accustomed to being asked
/ what I want You're usually glad
| enough for an excuse to talk to me-"
| -Ill call you later" answered Jack,
catching a glimpse of the presidents
face, on which impotence and resig-
nation were struggling for mastery.
| MI. Dill was Unfolding more papers
and laying them on the table.
| Z Jack heard the receiver at the other
end snap down spitefully, and he re-
| turned to his clair worrying because
Marjorie was angry, his mind a thou
S nd miles from presidents and coal
fields.
The president picked up his words
precisely where he had left off He
was not accustomed to repeating.
On account of the coal de-
posts. So far they are not even aware
that it is there. But we have had
experts turnout the three c,unties for
a year and find that the whole dis
trict is rich The thing is that if we
buy buy up that property, even on an
option, in our own name"
4 The telephone I r. again. Mr..
Stoughton's hands closed tight as if
hs would like to choke it's metallic
throat The president again sat back
in his chair and the secretary drum
med impatiently on the table.
Hello! called Jack, answering its
insistent ring for the second time
Jackie, deari I'm so sorry I 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 it would be when we're
married 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 tone as he could command
Marjorie's voice always set his pulses
to pounding, but it would never do tc
, let the president suspect that he was
making love at time like this
ut seems like ages till 1 shall see
you this eve
But he interrupted '.Perhaps 10
better call you later-Fm very busy
just now"
"Oh-a1l right" coldly
And again he returned to the table
there's going to be hold VI
when We try to get our right of way
the president continued $50 our com.
pany has decided to engage the serv.
ices of an attorney to handle the situa-
ton, get all options in his own name
and to handle the situation generally
Our own lawyer would not do for the
reason 1 mentioned. Now as to g
commission = of course, it would
mean"
The telephone rang again. The sec.
rotary jumped up and walked the
floor and the president this time
looked very much annoyed. JacE
hesitated. Should he lift off the re.
ceiver and let the other person wait
But whoever it was, it would probably
be best to get the number and call il
later, now that the interruption ha6
occurred. Then he would keep the
receiver off the hook to prevent
though of doing that before.
"Hellol" 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 I know you dom
love me any more!"
why, I do, dearl''
Then you'll have to say it. the
whole thing, T-love-you-Ma
just Ike lHdl, DeLOTS L II D0llSFO YOU.
He obeyed. 81 love you, Marjorie
What else was there for it?
The railroad president pushed back
his chair and got up, and when Jacl
left the phone his visitors had theil
maps folded and their hats, coats and
s sticks ready to depart.
s I'VE had better take up the matter
at some future time when you're no
so busy, Mr.. Stoughton.''
I'm Sorry,' said Jack lamely, "tC
have kept you waiting
i 1t was dreadful to see a real, live
railroad president slipping thru his
fingers, but nothing to the chance OF
losing Marjorie
Some other time, perhaps" wa:
S the answer as he bowed them out
But Jack new that he had lost thou