The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1920-11-19
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BY MARY c. BRIGGS.
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&c. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
Up on the avenue. in Wiliamstown's
| finest residence. an angry man strobe
from the dimly-lighted library into the
reception room, impatlently snatched
his coat from the wall. upsetting the
telephone us he did So and then turned
to an equally angry girl who had fol
lowed him out from the library,
Down town In fhe stuffy telephone
exchange smile lighted the face of
| the tired operator as she noted that the
light under ia accompanied the buzz
zing, and her hand instinctively start
ed the plug toward 256 as she called
pleasantly into the receiver.
| But instead Of hearing Beth VIII
iiams' voice calling the anticipated
number. she was amazed to hear Don
Emerson shout wrathfully in voice
hardly recognizable as his. SO choked
was it with rage and anger
Remember, Beth. this is just what l
| have been trying TO avoid. but since
| you have assumed such an absurd atti-
tude | have no alternative left but to
leave you. Just remember I'm not the
Kind OF man TO take a thing like this
calmly. and If you ever want me, you'll
have to send for me. I'll not bother
you. Believe me, I'll not come around
begging"
Certainly" interrupted Beth's voice
fcily. Don't come until send for
you" Then, meaningly, almost sarcas-
tically, Until l do" And the little
operator pictured the way the dark
eyes looked across at Don Emerson,
level, cold. even MS her voice.
A door slammed violently; there was
little hush; then heart broken Sob
With start the little operator real
lied that she was listening in," and
she broke the connection.
The days passed. At nrst 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, it worried the
little operator to notice Beth's pale.
drawn face. Couldn't Don see? How
could man be so obstinate when
But then one day she met Don looking
as miserable and wretched as Beth her.
self, and it was then that she decided
70 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,
end to make sure that they were in
good working order it often became
necessary for her to. weller. "listen
IN She was rewarded one night when
Beth was in conversation with claire
Ellis. Immediately she called $50, and
when Don reached the phone he heard
only the impersonal, Hold the line.
Please The plugs down in the tele-
phone exchange rapidly changed posi-
tons. and then Don heard Elaine's
voice saying. and if he is going to
he so unreasonable. I'd just forget him.
and Pills crazy about you----''
Don't talk such nonsense" Beth's
voice interrupted. I'D rather stay at
home than 30 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 Bill Chisholm called
10 persuade him 10 complete n four
some for the coming dance he was
ready for him.
After thus thoroughly testing the
lights of the la line the little opera-
tor decided that the 256 line needed
her attention. and so ii happened that
one night Beth also was asked TO hold
the line minute. What she heard in
81 seconds was sufficient. however. Big
BINS voice booming over the wire.
And don't YOU know the best way to
get her back Is to make her think you
don't care. Just you appear at that
dance with another girl and Beth will
he AT your feet"
:" no wants his girl at his feet, /
dont, snapped Don. Not while |
nave arms. Aw, you mean all right.
old man. hut it's different with me.
why, I've never even seen a girl ex- |
cept Beth. and never will" But Beth |
held the line no longer.
The night of the dance came, and |
the little opeartor sitting before the |
quiet board. thought of the two lonely |
people broodng alone up ON the ave
nue. while their friends made merry at |
The club house. Now. she decided. was
The time for something more drastic
'han mixing the wires. so calling 20.
IN voice as nearly like Beth's as she
could assume. she stammered tearful. |
", Don, 1-I-Aer." and followed this
ehlghtening remark by heartbroken
sob. the duplicate of Beth's own on
mat drst night. Then she broke the
In about three minutes she was re-
"arded by the sigh of Don's car purr-
M toward the aypnup