Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-12-07
CROSSED WIRES
BY MARY c. BRIGGS.
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"a 1870. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndIcate)
\ Up on the avenue. In Willlamstown's
finest residence, an angry man strobe
from the dimly-lighted library into the
reception room, impatiently snatched
hls coat from the wall, upsettIng the
telephone rs he did so. and then turned
TO an equally angry girl who had fol-
lowed him out from the library.
Down town ID the stuffy telephone
exchange smile lighted the face Of
the tired operator as she noted that the
light under JT4 accompanied the buzz
cling. and her hand lnstinctively start
ed the plug toward 258 as she called
pleasantly into the receiver.
Hut instead OF hearing Beth WI
llams' voice calling the anticipated
number. she was amazed TO hear Don
Emerson shout wrathfully In a voice
hardly recognizable as his. so choked
was II with rage and anger:
Remember. Beth, this Is just what |
have been trying 10 avoid, but since
you have assumed such an absurd att.
tude have no alternative left but to
leave You. Just remember I'm not the
kind Of man 20 take thing like this
calmly, and II you ever want me. you'll
have 20 send for me. I'll not bother
YOU. Believe me, I'll not come around
begging"
Certainly" interrupted Bcths voice
lcily. Don't come until | send for
you" Then. meanlngly, almost sarcas-
tleally, until ] do" And the little
operator pictured the way the dark
eyes looked across at Don Emerson,
level, cold even as her voice.
A door slammed violently there was
little hush; then a heart-broken sob,
with start the little operator real
tied that she was ''listening In" and
she broke the connection.
The days passed. At rrst the ia
line on the switchboard lighted often,
but the request never come for 256.
But the little operator wasn't deceived.
She knew that the broken sob was far
more significant OF the true state of af-
fairs than the hard, level voice. and SO
she waited for the 256 call.
As the days dragged into weeks, and
the weeks into months, II worried the
little operator to notice Beths pale.
drawn face. Couldn't Don see? How
could man be so obstinate when
hut then one day she met Don looking
as miserable and wretched az Beth her
self, and II was then that she decided
10 take matters into her own hands.
After reaching this decision, the lit
tie operator seemed to take an unusual
interest In the lights Of the ia line,
and to make sure that they were In
good working order II often became
necessary for her TO. Weller, listen
in" She was rewarded one night when
Beth was In conversation with Elaire
Ellis. Immediately she called 256. and
when Don reached the phone he heard
only the lmpersonal. Hold the line.
please" The plugs down In the tele-
phone exchange rapidly changed posi-
lions, and then Don heard Elalnes
voice saying, and II he Is going Ia
be so unreasonable. I'd just forget him,
and Phil's crazy about you-"
Don't talk such nonsense" Beth's
voice interrupted. I'D rather stay al
|. home than go with anybody else and
then something happened to the wires
for Don heard no more. He had heard
enough. however to keep him thinking
all that day and the next, and the FOL
lowing night when BIZ Chisholm called
10 persuade him 10 complete II four
some for the coming dance he was
ready for him.
After thus thoroughly testing th'
lights OF the ia line the little opera
tor decided that the 256 line needed
her attention. and so II happened tina
one night Beth also was asked TO hole
the line minute. What she heard II
80 seconds was sufficient however. BIZ
Bill's voice booming over the wire
"And don't you know the best way e
get her back Is to make her think yo'
don't care. Just you appear at ina
dance with another girl and Beth vii
he ut your feet"
who wants his girl at his Feet,
don't" snapped Don. mot while
have arms Aw. you mean oil right