The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-02-24
CROSSED WIRES
o. MARY c sRloos

finest residence. an angry man strobe
from tbe dimly lighted library into the
reception room. inpatiently snatched
his coat from the wall. upsettlng the
telephone ns he did 20. and then turned
10 an equally angry girl who had fol-
lowed him out from the library
Down town IN the stufy teleI,aoue
exchange q smile lighted the face Of
the tired operator as she noted that the
light under i74 accompanied the buz
ring. and her hand insiiuctiyeig start
ed the plug toward go ~ she called
pleasantly into the receiver.
But instead Of hearing Beth WI
llams' voice calling tho anticipated
number. she was amazed To hear Don
Emerson shout wrathfuliy in voice
hardly recognizable as his, so chOked
was IL with rage and anger:
Remember Beth, this Is just what !
have been trying 20 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 thing like this
calmly. and II you ever want me, you'll
have TO send for me. III not bother
you Believe me. III not come around
begging-"
Certainly" interrupted Beth's voice
lclly. Don't come until send for
you" Then. meaningly. almost sarcas-
tically, until I dol" 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
a little hush: then heart-broken sob
With a start the little operator real
lied that she was listening in" and
she broke the connection.
The days passed At first the ia
line on the switchboard lighted often,
but the request never come for 2o6.
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 2J6 call.
As the days dragged into weeks and
the weeks into months, It worried the
little operator to notice Beths pale
drawn face. Couldn't Don see? How
could n man be so obstinate when
But then one day she met Don looking
as miserable and wretched as Beth her
self and II was then that she decided
to take matters into her own hands.
After reaching this decision, the lit
tie operator seemed 10 take an unusual
interest In the lights Of the la 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 impersonal, "Hod the line.
please" The plugs down In the tele-
phone exchange rapidly changed posi-
lions. and then Don heard Elalne's
voice saying, and If he Is going TO
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 at
home than 90 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
to persuade him TO complete four
some for the coming dance he was
ready for him.
After thus thoroughly testing the
lights OF the TIA line the little opera
tor decided that the $50 line needed
her attention. and so 1t happened that
one night Beth also was asked to hold
the line a minute. What she heard In
30 seconds was sufficient, however. Big
Bits voice booming over the wire.
"And don't you know the best way TO
get her back is 10 make her think you
don't care. Just you appear at that
dance with another girl and Beth VIII
be at your feet"
"who wants his girl at his feet,
don't" snapped Don. "Not while |
have armsi Aw. you mean all right.
old man, but it's different with me.
Why, I've never even seen 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
neople broodlng alone up on the ave
nne while their friends made merry al
the club house. Now. she decided. was
the time for something more drastic
than mixing the wires. so calling 256.
IN voice as nearly Ike Beih's as she
could assume. she stammered fearful
~. ..Don. I--I-er." and followed this
enlichtening remark by a heartbroken
sob. The duplicate Of Beth's own on
that arst night Then she broke the
4 connection.
In about three minutes she was re-
warded by the sigh Of non's car purr-
ing toward the avenue
At II 20 thar night call came from
the 2z8 line. and without stopping to
ask FOR the number wanted. the little