Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-05-29
CUPID ON THE PHONE
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


The president Of the Midway and
Northern and Mr.. Dill, his private sec
rotary, were seated beside the great
center table In John h. Stoughton's Of
fee. Mr.. stoughton himself. seated OPP
posite. was trying his best to look as
II railroad presidents and their satel-
lites 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 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 forefingers.
Mr.. Stoughton was playing the part of
listener.
"You see," explained the president,
at 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 II, 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 fits staccato notes.
There was no use IN trying TO compete
with It for the young lawyers atten-
ton. Mr.. Stoughton went over to his
desk and took down the receiver.
"Hellow
as that you, Jack?"
| "Yes."
''What are you doingT
BUSY" 'rs
ooh. pshawl You're always busy"
'Tll 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 II
is 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 IL we buy up
that property, even on an option. In
our own name"
The telephone rang again. Mr..
Stoughton's hands closed tight as If
he would like to choke its metallic
throat. The president again sat back
In his chair and the secretary
drummed impatiently on the table. +.
| "Hellow called Jack, answering its
insistent ring for the second time.
Jackie, dearl I'm so sorry l was
cross" came Marjorie's voice, sand I
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, Jackle?'
"Yesw responded Jack, in as bust
| 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 to
handle the situation generally. Our
own lawyer would not do for the rea-
son I mentioned. Now as to a COM
misslon-of course, 1t would mean"
The telephone rang again. The sec
rotary jumped up and walked the floor
and the president this time looked very
much annoyed.
"Hellol" he called for the third time
"Jack, don't be cross, please. but
I've been crying, crying; think Of 1t.
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, Observation-Disclosures
Just like, before I'll believe you"
He obeyed. IT 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 tine when you're not
so busy, Mr.. 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