Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-11

lad been a favorite haunt for Ransom
wyiie even before he had met Edna
Dtane After the railroad had been
built touching Orville. the town where
both lived, and the telegraph line had
paralleled. one towering pole fronted
Me lane that led to the home of the
Deanes. which became a sort of walt
ing station for Ransom. Edna would
Join him there and they would stroll
along the river bank or visit mutual
young friends in the neighborhood.
A grassy rise curved gracefully
about the deeply lmbedded pole and
some wild bushes encircled II.
II got TO be 50 that Ransom was
usually on the spot ahead OF Edna.
She came upon him one evening and
learned the reason why. and her face
grew thoughtful and serious, as was
the dreamy expression of his eyes. far
away and intense. ON the occasion
Edna found him with his ear close to
the smooth surface OF the pole.
Resting. Ransom?" she intimated
softly. as she sank TO his side.
"Why, no." he answered, flushing
slightly and acting like one startled
from a deep reverie. 81 was listening.
Dina. Have you ever done SOP" and
his eyes frightened magically. II come
here very often. alone. Just think or
n Along those wires overhead there
passes every hour the story Of the
great world-the business story; vast
secrets in cypher. poor little trembling
tides OF longing. and broken hearts,
happiness misery. grief. sorrow. the
chronicle OF birth. deaths. good for
tune and Indebtedness. II OverpOwers
me when I try 10 comprehend il all.
And when there is storm coming.
the wires moan and seem freighted
with tones that awe you. Oh. Edna
sometimes, when the hum and dronc
rs soft and gentle. | can almost hear
the tender words passing between
sweetheatS | wonder. oh | wonder"
you wonder what. Ransom" asked
Edna. weirdly impressed with the look
IN his eyes.
''Of how some day, after have gone
into the busy. bustling life of the city,
the message ] send To you OF triumph,
Of wealth, and always of love, will
fnl your soul with the glory ~ our
great happiness"
Don't, Ransom" pleaded Edna, as
II the suggestion OF parting wrenchcd
her heart cruelty. "Oh. must II he that
you will 90 away and we can meet
here no more?" and she chung 10 his
arm shelteringly. but shuddered. and
there was the echo Of half sup
pressed sob.
Ransom carcSscd and comforted the
girl ne So loved. painting fair pic
ture of the prospects that were open-
Ing up To him. Edna was thoroughly
unselfish and sacrificing, and she felt
that she had no right TO hold him back
from testing his business ability.
An old man OF sixty had succeeded
the former telegraph operator al or
Vile and passing the cherished tryst-
ing place on his way TO his work,
had noticed Edna II came about that
they grew into quite intimate ne
auaintanceShip. and occasionally Edna
would stop for few minutes M the
little depot Il pleased her 10 be in
close touch with one who could tell
her all about The great city 10 which
she was stranger, which held her
hearts dearest treasure
one evening Edna dropped into The
depot and was conversing with The
operator. when the latter bent his ear
quickly towards the clicking instru-
ment. II had become his wont when
Edna was there TO epitomize any i'm
pOrtant happening told over the wires.
Big fire in the city he tailed.
"Plant of DriscOll x Co. totally destroy
ed and Edna's cheek hlanched. for
that was the name Of the house with
which Ransom was connected. Sever
al lives lost John DrScOll and his
secretary escaped To roof; ladder. sent
To their rescue, burns midway. Both
engulfed in the flames. Hello - for
Edna had fallen to the floor insensible.
The operator ran TO the water-pail.
but it was empty. He seized it and
started for the well. When he returned
Edna was gone. He was slow think.
ing man. bur IL suddenly occurred to
him that the business house named in
the telegram might he the one where
her fance was employed. His face
frightened az he caught later wire
Where can she have gomez must
find her" he soliloquized excitedly, and
an instructive impulse caused him 10
hasten to the trysing place telegraph
pole.
Yes. there was Edna. frantic. in
coherent. clasplng the pole, pressing
her ear TO it wildly, pleading for
further word from the tanging wire
"Oh. Miss Deanev shouted the Oper-
ator. there's a later wire. Man and
secretary escaped
II was the next day that Ransom
Wylie put In an appearance. Meantime
the details OF the fire were generally
known. A rescuing ladder had. indeed
caught fire. and its lower half had
fallen to the ground. Its upper halt
Ransom had drawn up TO the roof
gained that of an adjoining Dui! iinl
and he and his employer had gained
safety.
II was at the old trysting place tha;
Ransom Wylie resumed his love vows
with Edna Deane. telling her nat his
signal service in behalf of his grateful
IaA 20 40 nj I'D