Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1907 — HIS TELEPHONE SWEETHEART [ARTICLE]

HIS TELEPHONE SWEETHEART

By CARRIE GRAHAM

According to the rules and regular tions of the telephone company, an operator has no right to listen to conversations over the wires of her charge, but sometimes Edna could not help overhearing snatches of a conversation when she tested to see Whether some one in one of the booths was still talking. Naturally, too, she became interest; ed in the young man who always called one address uptown. His first name was Frank, that much she knew, and she knew also that he worked in the big office building in which -she operated the public station switchboard. Most offices had their own wires and the work was light, so gradually she began to take especial interest in Frank and bis calls. Her own lonely little life contained no romance, and Bhe entered heart and soul Into this stranger’s love affair. —Every day on hia way in from- lunch and again in the evening he called up “Dearest.” It jvas the only name he ever used, and Edna wished that sometime some one would talk to her like that, whethor it was over the wire or face so face. She hoped it might be some one like Frank, with laughing, brown eyes and a kindly smile that seemed perpetual, and her hungry heart took -to itself the tender,—message—flha_ heard over the Wire when she deliberately cut in. * She had some share of hia visits, for he had always a pleasant smile and a “good afternoon” for her, but she wanted more. She used to whisper very softly her own answers to his tender messages and she was genuinely distressed when, some months later, the messages were discontinued. She still looked for his pleasant greeting as he passed her desk, and wondered that he should take his disappointment so well. She sometimes planned to call up the old number and pretend that it was a mistaken call Just to see if the girl was still there. Then there were other times when she was selfishly glad that the calls had stopped, for She was jealous of his telephone sweetheart and now occasionally he stopped for a word of chat with her. Then, one afternoon there came the call. She recognized the voice instantly and her generous spirit rose superior to her selfish jealousy, and without thinking she laughed into the receiver. • “I’m so glad you’re back,” she cried,” then the voice at the other end recalled her to her duty. For the first time she knew his last name, and the caller asked that Mr. Frank Howard be sent for, and gave the number of his room. Presently he came down in the elevator, his face beaming with gladness, and Edna fought down a desire to listen. She wanted to know that he had won back his telephone sweetheart, and could not bear to learn the fact. Howard came out of the booth with an odd look on his face. There was no one there Beside the girl and he leaned against the desk. “What did you mean by saying that you were glad?” he demanded, curiously. Edna's face grew red. “Did you say that?” she asked. Howard nodded. “She wanted to know' what you were glad about. She thought at first she had the wrong number.” “I was glad that she had come back,” explained the girl. Somehow those brown eyes compelled the truth. “You didn’t call her for so long I knew that you had quarreled and I was glad that you were going to be happy again.” “Been scenting a romance?” he said .-with a smile. “She’s been my sweetheart ever since I was old enough to love anyone. She’s been out of town. Just got hack, and wanted to tell me." “I’ll bet you’re glad. It was not a brilliant remark, but it was the best Edna could do. Howard smiled. “I bet I am,” he agreed. “You see, I don’t go home until late and she’s all alone, so I call her up to cheer her.” “Then you’re married?" asked Edna in dismay. Howard shook his head. “That's my mother,” he said, with a laugh. She's the best sweetheart a man ever had. I want you to meet her some time. The Right law class comes to an end next week, and after that I want to take you up to see her.” “Me? What for?” * "Fve been telling her a lot about you.” explained Howard. “She said before she went away that she wanted to meet you when she came back, and I told her that I would try and get you to come up. Will you come?" “Sure.” said Edna, feeling her conversational limitations, but too startled to give expression to her feelings. “I can tell from her voice that she’s an awfully nice person. Yon learn to tell voices when you hear so many of them otrsr the wire.” “I’m you like her," shid Howard simply, “for I want you to Uka —us .both. Do you think you wilir “You mqpn—” Edna did not complete the sentence, but How r ard understood. “Just that,” he agreed. “I guess I do —now,” confessed the, girl, “because I was awfully jealous of your telephone sweetheart”