Mexico weekly ledger., 1921-08-25
THE PHONE CALL
-
~ ANITA WEBS.

supper at Miss Almira's boarding
house was ia progress.
STEAK. cold hum, potato salad
hash or lIyerp' sang Mile, first class
waitress, all In n breath.
steak ! love It'll IN have some
beained Mrs. Miller. the only inhab'
ttant OF the Palace House who could
stomach the w~ell-br0wned leather
the mistress Of that establishment
served as steak.
"whatm youse two haye7" demand
ed Mile of the "Hallroom boys
Tom aud Dave.
"what was that first piece you rem
deredf asked the latter.
Cease. fair girl. eeasei II you are
passing around steak, my friend and
/ will have two nice, fresh cold stor-
age eggs boiled to q crispi"
"Satsoi Don't be sassy or youse1l
get nothin.." Mile was a very In
dependent waitress, and being Miss
Alinira's niece, ventured more remarks
during meal hours than President
Harding at a meeting of congress.
"Glye me som liver and"
"Awright, Mr.. Moore" put in Mil
lie, before he had a chance to finish.
flash, please" spoke up Mr. Per-
rim.
sour kitchen has been cleaned up
today" said Dave.
"IIow can You tell, you funny fell
low?' gushed Mrs. Miller.
Hash for superb gravely re
turned Dave.
"Oh, my starsw Mrs. Miller went
into a spasm Of laughter, consisting
Of gurgles, sneezes and coughs.
Evening" remarked Mr.. Richards,
as he took his place at the table.
"Why the gloom, DaveT"
"Them's harsh wOrdsi ! was Just
thinking of the eggs I must feast
upon tonight. and trying to imagine
liI!ed 'em when along you come, sug-
costing gloom"
"Ha. ha !" roared Mr.. Perrin. "When
you boys have been here seven years
Ike me, you1l stand anything, and
like anything"
Seven months is plenty; we
couldn't stand 1t another seven" said
Tom.
Good evening" Miss Allen slipped
into her place opposite Mr.. Richards.
"Good evening" spoke he, timidly.
."Good evening"" spoke she, slowly,
Hunt" muttered Tom.
"Quite sol" whispered Dave, In his
ear. "Methinks some dire disaster
has fallen. Richie and Allie used to
be good friends-church, Sundays
movies. Wednesday and Saturday, and
now they hardly speak,"
Supper at Miss Almira's boarding
house was over, for which the suf.
fering boarders were duly thankful
The entire assembly gathered on the
porch to talk over the days events
Miss Allen found a little rocker In
one corner, and seating herself, gazet
up at the evening sky.
"Fran-Miss Allen"
"Mr. Richards?" In cold tones.
miss Allen, why have you avoided
me so, Of later
II had my reasons, Mr.. Richards
"You used to call me Edgar" h,
reminded.
"That was before you were en-.
gagged to Julia"
ITO er-what, who?" he demanded
II believe you heard me-" came ii
10 below zero tones.
"But l suppose it was understood
that we, you and T."
Il supposed so, too. You practi
cally asked me TO marry you, and
practically agreed"
"Then what is the matterT
II distinctly heard you say over tn,
phone: Congratulate me, Bill |; I'm t,
be married next week. who tot
asked Bill. julia you said. My nam,
is Frances" finished Miss Allen.
There must be a mistake some
where" insisted Mr.. Richards.
Impossible. / heard you myself
You are the only Edgar here"
"How did you hear mel"
T-well. / got the call, so couldn'
help hearing" stammered Miss Allen
She was d telephone operator, and
strangely enough, her switchboard wa
on the Palace House line.
nTN..o aaac vxyn - ~ III M. Dfala vi
dashed off.
Mr.. Moore, just about to descen'
the steps on his way to his club, fel
a heavy hand upon his collar ain,
found himself being rudely draggel
back up the steps.
"Waitw he yelled. Then foun'
himself standing In trent Of Mis-
Allen.
II have 1t, Frances. You didn'
know, but Mr.. Moore's name is Edgar
too, and be 10 engaged to Julia Mason
II was he YOU heard over the wirt
Tell her it's 20. old man.. Mr.. Rich
ards hnrriedly explained, while MI
Moore stood glaring and rubbing til
back Of his neck.
Eyes, that's right" he ADMITTED
"and Julie Is the best little woman 20
ever cav.
"Can you forgive me, Edgarf. hun
bly, asked Miss Allen.
III you'i cook my meals for tn
rest OF our lives, yesin was the nj
swer.
OF course, the hail room boys
were right around tAs corner 81 III
porch, listening to Il all. n
sNo more hash. stewed prunes d
canned corn for hi~m--iucky dogi'
rnuttered Dave.