Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-27
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
OVER THE WIRE
By Elisabeth Barker Day

MARY LOWERING was one of ten
lN1 stenographers employed Ivy the firm
of NJ & D. Inc.
Why the Junior member OF the firm
had singled her out for marked atten-
ton she could not understand. since
Madge Crane. for instance. had loads
more pep" and style.
At first Mary accepted John Dins-
morc's courtesy and attention very shyly.
Gradually she realize that she had more
than a passing interest in him; but
she tried to stine IT. for she felt that
a little Sl5-a-wcek Stenographer had
no business to even look at so diStin-
gushed person as the junior partner
of so prosperous firm as " u
D, Inc.
John DinsmOre did not intend to have
his friendship with Mary confined to of
f1Ce hours one evening when il was
necessary for tie whole force TO work
late on Il particularly important contract,
he asked her to dine with him IN near
by restaurant.
Mary accepted, and had a thoroughly
enjoyable time, and when john Dns-
more left her at the door OF her unpre-
tontiouS boarding house. she had given
him permission to call the next evening.
And so it happened that these two saw
each other very often in the months
that followed.
John Dinsmorc knew all the time that
he was falling in love with Mary. but
was afraid she was going to fall in
love, but did not like to admit it.
And yet cupid would have his way
and Mary finally admitted to herself
that she loved John Dinsmorc as she
never had or could love any one else.
When he asked her to marry him she
did not even ask for time, TO think it
over, for. she had alre'dy done her
. ,;,ly ygV,fy btt, cot Voc
JoyOusly she set about. spending her
noon hours shopping instead OF eating,
and never had she heen so happy.
one day the telephone girl was i'll,
and Mary had to take her place at the
switchboard.
Hello" said very sweet feminine
voice, us Mr.. John Dinsmore there?"
He's at lunch just now, answered
Mary. whose voice was equally sweet.
Tell him to call his home when he
comes in. please. This Is Mrs, John
Dinsmorc speaking
"I'll tell him" said Mary. abruptly
and her world turned upside down.
Indeed, a married man flirting with
her, asking her 10 become his wife.
She'd show him: she'd give him her
opinion. Mary swallowed hard She
was not easily moved TO tears. but her
heart ached, and the tears would come.
She thought of the lovely iilmv things
she had intended to buy that day. and
Il wave of Solf-pity swept over her
Then reaction came, and by the time
John Dinsmorc returned she was ready
for him.
| She made her way to his private
office. and icily greeted his cXpectant
smile.
Mrs John Dinsmore would like to
nave you call at once
Mary took particular pains to cnun-
riate each word clearly, lest the lump
in her throat should get the best of her
Sclf-COntrOl
John looked at his wife-to-be in as
tonishment. Never before had he heard
that tone of voice from her.
Mary"
Miss Lowering, please" said Mary.
iCily.
but Mary-Miss Lowering, WHAT"
Then the storm broke.
You don't deny it; you'd try to ex-
plain, you brute.
/ Listen, dear"
Don't you dare call me dear l hate
you and | never want to see YOU again
Tell Mrs John Dinsmore would not
he in her shoes for anything in the
world. resign my position here and
With this parting shot, she turned to
leave the room.
John barred her way.
MARY, YOU are going to listen TO me 70
The authority in his voice, the splen-
did bigncss of him, compelled Mary's
attention.
TT was not my wife who called She
is my cousin JOhn VIE, who, with her
husband. Is visiting at my home Mary,
YOU must believe me, for | swear
never asked another woman to be my
wife"
His honest eyes his firm square chin.
the direct maniiness Of him, all sue
cceded in convincing Mary of his sin
Cerity, for she wanted so much TO be-
lieve him,
The lump In her throat was altogether
too big to swallow now, and she did
not even try.
"Oh, John, dear" she said and went
into his arms gladly.
That evening happy group dned
together in one Of the most beautiful
h-4aes in the city. Mr. and Mrs. John
Dinsmore and Nr and Mrs. John Dins-
more-to-be made very charming
quartet
/ "Ive been teasing cousin to bring you
I home TO dinner because | wanted 20
meet you before my husband and [ re-
turn to Ohio explained the sweet voice
Mary had heard over the wire so
today l decided to call him up and ses
/ If that would work"
Well it worked agreed the junior
partner Of y. q d, Inc, and Mary
| iaughingly threw him Il kiss,
The Next Complete SoveIette-The
] Happy Prank,