Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1921-09-01
UPTON 2992-M
BY CLAIRE K. ALDEN.
20. 1871. by. ncclure NEWSPAPER syndicats.l

(Sa 4SZl, DysncCIure Newspaper Syndicate-J
There was nothing within reach but
his violin, book, the telephone and
the telephone directory. He threw the
dull novel viciously across the room;
the violin was too precious to follow
suit He glared at the telephone. It
was a stupid, commonplace inStru-
ment through which came familiar
voices with the same old common
place condolences. He wished it could
transmit a new message in an unfa-
milar voice.
'Why not?' he said. There ara
thousands of names listed. / can't be
arrested If l do speak to someone l
do not know. III venture. Choose .
pretty name, of course, and wom-
ans"
He scanned the columns eagerly.
II know what I'll do; try the trick We
tried when ehildren--open the book
at random, with eyes shut, and Ill
pick the first name my first finger
tpn"hes Margery Swift! Romantic
and rapid! Here goes! Central con-
nected him with the magic name.
Hello Margery."
Hello! You have the advantage.
l cannot identify your voice, but you
are awfully good to call me up, who
ever you are. Life is stupid with a
broken arm" Her voice was sweet
and lOw-clear as bell.
His was tender. poor child! Didn't
you know the minute l heard Of it
would call you up-and call you
down. too, for carelesSneSs"
81 wasn't careless, truly! But who
are you, anyway"
you've heard of The Man Who
Laughs Well, I'm not he. I'm the
man with the broken leg: cOnfOund
it,"
81 hadn't heard that any man l
know had met with such an accident
Tell me, please (pleadingly) Hurryt
She'll cut us off presently"
Gwen voice Is companion to
you now, it seems. You were not so
fond of me when you were well. II
you will be good, tomorrow I'll play
on my violin"
Hello! Hello! Hello!"
The unrOmantic operator had cut
them off.
He refrained from calling her up
again until the following day. With
the assistance of small boy the line
was opened, and love song flOated
on the wire to Margery. When 1t
ended he drove the small boy from
the room. He resumed conversation.
"Well-"
The girls voice eagerly responded.
at was splendid so embracing that l
| forgot my broken arm. Tell me who
you are"
"A bandit; a bad man. l was go
ing to say highwayman with q
broken legT
SO they fenced verbally from day
| to day, while Time, the healer, mend
ed the broken bones. Surprise pack
ages were left at Margery's door each
day; she had to accept them, as she
| could not return them to the owner.
and Cupid smiled at this new way OF
drawing a bow at a venture. A few
months later limousine stopped at
Margery's door. A distinguished-lOok-
ing man, with slight limp, descended.
EYES," said the maid, Miss Swift La
in, your card, please"
TELL her the telephone man would
like to see her"
The maid protested. He triumphed.
Margery descended the stairs grace
fully, her arm in sling. She was
bright enough to know that the un-
known was the telephone man and
unconventional enough to admit him
without society credentials. To tell
the truth, she was devoured with Gu
| riosity. She entered the room, held
out her hand impulslvely, and made
him welcome with her eyes.
you're the mildest looking bandit
ever encountered"
He tried to look fierce and failed.
| He could only look determined.
| "Will Mrs. Grundy hold up her
hands In horror If kidnap you In my
limousine?" he queried.
Margery looked at him, looked at
| the limousine and-waited.
"She who hesitates Is lost" he mis-
quoted, gravely.
"But-but-I do not even know you
now"
''Trust me, Margery.2
"If-if, / knew your first name 1
would be equally familiar" she re-
| torted, with some show of spirit.
There was twinkle in his dark
| blue eyes.
|. II always accept challenge, fore
| warned is fOrearmed. Your forearm
has been broken. My mother called
me Alexander. I came-I saw
| conquered ="
! Maybe she said, demurely; and
she risked ride in the Limousine. 1t
was the first of many. He plagued
her so much about woman's curiosity
| that she made no effort to discover his