Evening Star Newspaper, June 5, 1897, Page 22

22 THE TELEGRAPH MESSAGE BY ROBERT BARR. (Copyright, 1897, by Robert Barr.) Written for The Evening Star. John Sandys, local manager of the West- ern Union Telegraph Company in the city of Disapolis, sat ir. his office one afternoon, when there was brought to him.the card of a lady. Most of Mr. Sandys’ visitors were masculine, and the manager, a griz- zled man of fifty, arched his brows in surprise as he glanced at the card. “Ask the young lady to come in,” he said briefly. He whirled round in his swivel chair and rose from it as a sweet- faced girl entered, dressed in black, her whole attire having neatness as its dis- tinguishing characteristic. Pausing for a moment at the door, she came swiftly for- werd to him, extending her hand. “I don't suppose you will remember me, Mr. Sandy she began somewhat breath- lessly, ¢ I thought—perhaps—” The manager interrupted her, speaking in kindly tones. “Indeed, Miss Elinor, I remember you years age. The manager stood by with folded arms, watching sheet after sheet being rapidly thrown off. The silence of the room was of dots dashes. Miss McClintoch looked up at him and said with some trace of anxiety in her voice: “Of course, I could write faster if I bad a fountain pen. I always use a stylo, and the dipping into the inkstand | me, as I am not accustomed to it. ‘The manager smiled, but said nothing. He examined sheet after sheet in silence, then put them on the table. Taking up one of the newspapers that lay on his desk he folded it once or twice, and, placing his hand on the key, he rapidly transmitted an order to the unseen operator to write out what was about to be ‘telegraphed to him and bring the sheets to the manager's rNow, Miss Elinor,” he said, “would you mind telegraphing part of this column, and do it as fast as you can?” The girl placed her right hand on the ebony knob of the brass lever, holding the folded paper with her left in such a manner that she might read clearly the small type on the sheet before her. Under her expert manipulation the words flew over the wire until at last there came a break. “Hold on,” jabbered back the man at the other end of the wire; “don’t be in such a deuce of a hurry.” “WILL YOU SIT AT THE TABLE?” —— very well, although you were only a little girl when last saw you. You have a been so long at school and abroad tiat a man might well be excused if xe failed to © you. Many things have happen- last we met, you kno" The manager was a laconic now spoke at greater length than was his custom, for he saw that his visitor had evidently keyed herself up to this inter- view, and was scarcely able ‘0 conceal her agitation. A glance at the dark cos- tume she wore recalled to his mind the re- cent death of her father, and then he felt that this last remark had been somewha: infelicitous, but being an unready man, ana not knowing how to remedy it, he made i10 atiempt to do so, contenting him- self by pushing forward a chair, and ask- ing the girl to sit down. an, and he When cClintoch had seated her- self. Saniys med his position in the swivel chair somewhat uneasily, and for a few moments there was silence between t * she sail at last, not looking at king in 2 iow voice and trying to Keep command over it, “many things have happened since I came home to find my father dying, and since his Geath we buless every cne in the —how disastrous had been tions on the board ef trad . not knowing what to say, murmured that probably th and have a b s talk with you, Mr. : t time since she sat down the up at him, and he saw that nd that she was trying ¢ a faint smile to her tremulous lips. i so two months h instrument ago I bought a tele and learned telegraph- surely,” s Sandys, “with omplishments you do not need to be a telegraphist.” “My accomplishments, sive to buy, are not very market.” Ithough expen- salable on the inor,” said the man- ager,“ $s the very last profes- sion I would advise a young lacy to take ainst telecraph- a morning paper but I ount of some new in- Vention that will abolish telegraphy alto- gether. In fact, when the telephone was perfected I rather expected it would render us all superfluous, and I am not sure but that eventually wi!l be the case, for the expect to see an a long distance telephone is only in its in- fancy. What on earth caused you to learn “I will confess the r. I ought to be as! with a rea “TI learned use my father’s oldest friend is man- ra Union Telegraph Com- son with a frank- said the ¥ vs," replied the girl confidently. Her certainty did not secm to be shared by the manager, who knitted his brow anJ drummed nervously on the desk with nis fingers. z “You said a moment since that this was a business visit. Now, Miss Elinor, do you Want me to ta! to you xs a business man ‘would talk to an applica or am I to treat you as the daughter of a valued and re- ted friend?" “From now on,” cried the aight business. 1 e. begin by saying then I will that the is are full of telegraphers. Up toa in point, it seems to me that telegraphers 2 mon as the sands on the seash: 1 that point teleg- few. e shorthand, and, like 2 great many other things. «, that is, expert telegraphing, ifferent Miss Elinor.” ‘use me for contra- y exclaimed the xirl, with ani- ‘and it isn’t a bit polite to do 30, staphing is the easiest thing in the if had ever played Robert nn or Liszt on the piano you would at diffigulty is.” the manager, dryly. “You on I have heard say that raphers are ¥ presume Telegraph nothing like a practical Do you think you know enough of tphing to fill a situation as operator had one to oifer you?” " answered the girl, with con- z we shall see. Would you mind sitting The she over at this table?” girl rose, peeling off her sloves as Azer, ph off a quick, nervous wered. Then he pro- to chatter forth a message to the ator at the other end. no, no, no, no!” interrupted the girl. ay that. “Don’t say what?" asked the manager, in astonishment, forgetting for the moment that what was mere Instrumental chatter to the lay mind was intelligible to her. “Don’t tell the operator to begin slowly, but ask him to send the message as fast as he can.” The manager smiled. “Oh, very well,” he said. A moment later the sounder was dinning away its short, brazen monotone, as {f it were a clock-work mechanism gone wrong and was rapidly running down. The fine, firm, pretty hand of Miss McClin toch flew over the paper, leaving in its train a trail of writing, the letters heavily made, but as plain as print to read, the style of the writing being that now taught to girls throughout Europe, and which is es different as possible from the hairiiue, now thre> months ¢ father’s | continued the girl, “and imme- ft nd i moved to a ttage on 16t1 street, where we now | nd today I resolved to come up here | “I found I had t> earn my own living, | for my father | n easy accomplishment. | | | i | i} | | | | | i | | | | | | i 1 | his comparatively “Oh, dear!” exclaimed the young woman, with a shade of annoyance in her voice, as if she feared the pausing would be at- tributed to her lack of clearness. The manager said nothing, but indulged in a silent inwasd laugh, as was a habit with him, for, ruling many, he had to keep a stern face to the world, and enjoy what mirth came his way without outward sem- blance of it. After several breaks, the manager said: - “That is quite enough, thank you,” anda few minutes later a young man entered the room with the sheets in his hand, which he gave to the manager, opening his eyes somewhat, when he saw seated at the table a_slim yourg girl, bewilderingly pretty. When the young man had left them once more alone in the room the manager said: “I must admit I am astonished at your expertness. It may not be strictly business- like to acknowledge so rauch to one whom I am about to make the hardest bargain I can with, but perhaps you will not take advantage of the confession. You are a very good telegraphist indeed, Miss Elinor. I must express my admira' of the way in which you have faced the realities of life. We like to think our girls so resource. ful that they can fill with credit to them- selves any position which fate assigns to them, whether it is in the office of a met chant or the parlors of the White House. You have been suddenly confronted with a very difficult problem, Miss Elinor, and you have set about its solution in a way that commands my deepest respect.”” “Oh, Mr. Sandys!” exclaimed the girl, blushing deeply and dawing a tong, quivering breath, but quite evidently glow- ing with gratification at the praise of a man whom she knew to be sparing in his commendation. “Now, I am not sure,” he continue, “but your coming here today has settled in the right way a matter that has been troubling me for some weeks past. There is a telegraphic situation in this city which has been the cause of more worry to me than any of the other hundreds under my control; it is the office at the board of trade. “At the board of trad echoed Miss Eli- nor, looking at him in some alarm. “Yes,” he answered. “That situation de- mands qualities, aside from those of key or pen, which I should be loth to think un- obteinabie, but which I, of jJate, have had seme difficulty in securi What we need there is absolute secrecy. There must be no suspicion, even, of any leakage from the wires, because messages come there that make and unmake fortunes. Of course, many of the messages are in cypher, but, nevertheless, cypher or not, the utmust caution must be observed, so that none, Save those to whom the messages are sent shall get the slightest inkling of thetr co: tents. I have changed operators’ there three times in as many months, and while against the present man I have no direct proof—if I had I would discharge him— there have been ‘complaints and vague ru- mors of leakage, which are, to say the least, most annoying. I have made up my mind, in any case, to remove that young man to the interior of the state, and the only reason he has not been removed be- fcre now is that I can’t for the life of me tell with whom to replace aim. Untii you came in it never occurred to me to give the situation to a woman. It doesn't quite jump with our preconceived notione of things, that a woman, of all persons, should be the one to keep a secret, but most of our preconceived notions are wrong, and if you are willing to try the experiment, I am. Of course, you would be dealing cn Urely with men, but I am sure you would nothing but the utmost courtesy Oh, Tam stre of that,” Clintoch, earnestly. R opportunity I don’t rason to regret it.” rery well: then we shall look s ttled. Call here tomorrow ee at 10 o'clock, and I will myself escort you to the board of trade. I shall leave une of my assistants with you in the office for a week, and by that time you will probably be familiar with your new duties. Any- ‘ning you do not understand he w: hand to explain.” Biting wormeiet Promptly at the appointed hour Elinor waited upon the manager at his office, and together they walked to the tall building in which was housed the board of trade the only legalized gambling place in the city, where methods differed somewhat from those at Monte Carlo, these differ- ences being entirely in favor of the Medi- terrancan resort, for there the unscrupu- lous gambler obtains no advantage over " innocent competitor and lies have no special market value. Every city in the land holds up its hands in horror at the mention of Monte Carlo, but points with just pride to its stock ex- change building. Thus do we honestly acquire the reputation of being a humor- ous people. Mr. Sandys was qulet during the greater part of the walk, and Elinor’s mind was th sald Miss Me- If you give me the think you will have | busy picturing the new life about to open So greatly dissimilar to the | before her, old. The ‘crisp freshness of the air and the bracing influence of her long walk to the manager’s office had exhilarated the girl, who experienced without knowing it the glorious prerogative of youth. Added to this was the delicious sense of being | about to earn honestly what money she needed; blessed independence! the greatest boon that can be bestowed upoa any living creature. Sandys had pretended the day before that their conference had been based en- tirely on business principles, but no ques- tion of salary arose between them, which would have been one of the first peluts to be discussed with any one else by the manager, after the question of skill was settled. The girl had felt no anxiety on this score, being content to leave the amount to her father’s old friend, and her coamiases poo misplaced. Picea od ts ie board o! bullding,” said her com- speaking for the arst time since panion, they set out together. “Yee,” she replied. “I walked around to angular hand which ladies wrote twenty ome 2 gtr imy: talk with you, but I aa | would not have sought enlight “Well, we will go in now. I hope you have weighed well what I said to you yes- terday. There ts ne doubt in my mind that after you learn the ways of the office you will prove quite competent to fill the situation, but you must never forget that the great qualification, equal im import- ance to your speed at the key, ts recrecy— absolute secrecy. Not even in the sancity of your own home, to your own mother, must you a it of anything comes over the wires. You understand that thoroughly, I trust?” “Oh, yes, Mr. Sandys. You need never have the least fear about that. I feel as if I had joined some awful society, and taken a mest terrible oath, with perfectly dreadful penalties. I thougut about it last night until I fell asleep, and chen I dream- ed the most frightful things—that masked men, with red-hot pinchers, were trying to make me teil what your occupation was, and what you had said to me, but, although I screamed and awoke my: na tremble, I never told.” The monager smiled grimly, and said, seriously: “That is the right spirit, and here we are ai the deor of the inquisition.” At the end of a large hall, wide and lofty double doors standing open gave a view uf the interior of an immerse room, in which several men were walking about with their hands in their pockets. A man in @ scrt of uniform guarded the doer and sharply scrviinized all comers. Sandys, however, did not enter the huge room, but opened a small door at the right and went in to the telegraph office; Elinor, with fast beating heart, following rim. The telegtaph office was comparatively small, and was practically an alcove of the ample apartment used by the board of trade, divided from it by @ counter, whose broad polished oaken top was littered with telegraph blanks, and splashed here and there with ink. In the center of the office was a wide table halvcd longitudinally by @ partition of glass, while crosswise were other glass bulkheads, parceling eut the table top into sections, in each one of which a telegraph instrument occupied the center. As a usual thing one operator was, enough to do the business of the office, but in times of stress, caused by a flutter in the market, help had to be called for from the central cffice, and sometimes the six compartments were in chattering activity. “Now, Miss Elmor,” said the manager, “this ts your work room. Johnnie Field- ers here will be in charge for a week or as n:uch longer as is necessary, and you will be his assistant. As soon as you ere ready to take full control I shall remove him else- where, for he fs a most useful young man.” Sandys left the room and strolled into the board of trade, the doorkeeper nod- ding to him, for the head of the West- ern Union was a privileged individual. The spacious chamber of commerce was rapidly filing up, and a rising murmur of conversation quivered in the air. Now and then some exuberant person with a stlk hat on the back of his head yelled out a startling exclamation, which made Miss McClintoch jump the first time she heard it, little dreaming of the pand2monium to which she would later become accustomed. She thought there had been a dreadful ac- cident, but nobody paid the slightest at- tention, and she learned that this was merely the preliminary sparring for thi contest that was to come after, just as athletes in a field limber up befere the game commenc “Hallo, Sandy: said a young man, greet- ing the head of the Western Union. “Act- ing the unaccustomed part of the squire of dames, eh? Who is the beauty?” “The beauty, Mr. Howard, is x friend of mine,” answered the manager coldly. The young man laughed. “So I surmised, curmudgeon, otherwise I enment from you. T never deal in second-nand inferma- tion, as some of my distinguished fellow- citizens on this floor are beginning to find out.”” “Yes, I understand you are exceedingly successful in your struggles here. Let me advise you to be content with that.” “Content? "No man is ever content with anything. But I say, Sandys, you are surely never going to place so pretty a girl in the telegraph office?” “I have already done so, and have told her, furthermore, that she would find every ™man she met here a gentleman.” “Oh, you always were an optimist, San- dys. 1 think, you know, you are stretching it a bit to call old Grimwood, who is now about to honor us with his presence, a gen- tleman. Merely my own opinion, of course.” There was entering as he spoke a man who stooped slightly. His smoothly shaven face made it impossible at a distance to guess his age, but closer inspection left no doubt that he was fully entitled to the ad- jective the young man had bestowed upon him. The lid drooped over the left eye, and gave a sinister expression to an impassive face, that was at best saturning. The left arm hung limply at his side, and, with the sinking eyelid, gave token of a “stroke” that many regretted had, like themselves, encountered the old man in vain. Some ene had said that confidence would never be restored in business circles until a second attack grappled old Grimwood with more success than the first, for it had been quickly proven that what was left of the seasoned old speculator was a match for the combined inteilect and shrewdness of the others in the grain pit. Grimwood’s workable eye quickly but furtively ranged the room, and finally rested on the fair head of the girl, just visible over the pol- ished surface of the counter, as she sat at the telegraph instrument. His face showed no astonishment; it was always expres- sionless, but his eye remained there. “I thoroughly believe, Sandys, that old Grimwood has bribed you to place the girl here. Such a withered, ancient branch as he is will be the only man unaffected by her presence. It isn’t fair to us youngsters, who have to contend with his lifetime of villainy, anyhow. i confess I don’t want my mind distracted from the wheat quota- tions just at present.” “I shall give you every assistance to con- centrate your mind on that subject, How- andi “Thanks, old man; I'm infinitely obliged,” replied Howard, with a laugh; “but who is she, anyhow? We are bound to know, sooner or later. “She is one entitled to the respect and protection of every man here,” said San- dys, slowly. “She ts the daughter of your old chief, Silas McClintoch.” “Good heavens! You don’t mean to say so?” cried the young man. sobering. “By Jove, there is a sort of poetic justice in her being here, this inferno which ruined the father now supporting the daughter.” “The Western Union will look to her sup- port,” returned the manager, without en- thusiasm. “Quite so, and we help support that grinding monopoly. The consumer always pays, you know. But I say, Sandys, I want you to Introduce me to Miss McClintoch.” “I don’t see the necessity. She Is not here socially. “Oh, that’s all nonsense. We're all so- cial equals, and it will do her no harm to have a friend on this side of the counter. You can’t be always here, you know; be- sides, if you don't introduce me properly, I shall certainly introduce myself.” “Miss McClintoch has set out very brave- ly to earn her own living, and I.don’t want her interfered with.” “Exactly. I am earning my own living, myself, and I not only won't interfere with her, but I will prevent others doing so.” The manager looked keenly at the speak- er fot a moment, but met merely the clear gaze of a very honest pair of eyes. At thai instant there was @ wild rush to the center of the room as if the human atoms had been caught in a sudden whirlpool, as, indeed, many of them were. They gesticu- lated and shouted all together. It seemed as if a mad house had unexpectedly de- bouched its contents. Young Howard wavered a moment, seemingly drawn by some unseen force to plunge into the mael- strom; then his gaze wandered toward the telegraph office, where he saw the girl standing with wide open eyes looking at the turmoil, while Johnnie Fielders was quite evidently explaining that there was no danger, and that it was not a free fight nor the beginning of @ foot ball match. “Come,” said Howard, “‘now is the time.” The manager, still with visible reluc- tance, turned and led the way to-the tele- graph office. * “Miss McClintoch,” he said, making his voice heard with difficuity above the din, “may I introduce to you a friend of your father’s, Mr. Stillson Howard?” The girl, raising her eyes, saw before her a young man, who might be conventionally described as fine looking, with a dark mus- tache, and a firmly moided, self-reliant chin. “I am pleased to meet any one who knew my father,” she said. “I not crly knew him, Mies McClintoch, but I am indebted to him for many kind is much encouragement, at a ttme when I had no stock of either. was once a clerk in his office. If there is anything I can do to help you here I hope you will let me know, for I would esteem it_@ privilege to make, at least, partial turn for the debt I owe year father 1e . ‘. “Telegram, miss, please,"* suid do us the hdnériét senéing and rece ove. _Cispatchys, aga that will be very nice indeed.” ‘There was“s; ing in ‘his tone which as plat werds could have done, attend stri¢tty: 1@ business.” said nothing. Field- Sandys frowned but ers sprang “ |, took the message, and rattled it > Chicago. Miss Me- Clintoch sat before her = ‘compart. ment at the_table, and young Howard left the room, folowdil by the manager, who, once outside-in the hall, touched his friend on the arm @nd ke in a‘low voice seri- ously: “If I may gay if in all kindness, Howard, I think you will puly be e hindrance and not a help tg MI McClintoch, if this ac- quaintance gees further.” Howard's replycwas an impatient male- eres ‘on 014 Grimwood, more terse than polite, g “Oh, no,” continued the manager, “Mr. Grimwood is quite within his rights. Our old friend’s daughter is there to do her duty, and is anxious and well qualified to “YOU SEEMED SURE OF YOUR 5, 1897288 PAGES: mectoaryy, Sbtt e grngfal ngpemy yong she read the finished dispatch, and for a moment her dreatifing stopped: “Cc. = Grimweod, Board ef Trade, Disap- olis: “Eafucs Stilisen Howard to buy wheat in large quantities. Then we have him foul.” The signature was that of Grimwood’s agent in Chicago, from which city the ™message came. Many times every day since sh2 had becn there the same signa- ture had come ever the wires._ For one brief instant arose the tempta- tion to suppress the dispatch, bu:, with trembling bands, she quickiy folded it, put it in an envelope and wrote the name of Grimwood. She stood and waiched the telegrapa boy threading his way throuch the excited throng to give the mesrage to the 9id man, who read it, crushed the per in his hand and et. Then his malign eye rested on young Howerd with an expression cf such in- tense hatred that Elinor shivered as she saw it. Howard, the center of a seething INFORMATION.” do it, ff, as I said before, she is not in- terfered with.” “['ll break old Grimwood’s neck for him yet,” growled Howard, still harping on the interruptio. “in a stock exchange sense, of course,” he added, seeing the other's look of alarm. “I'm not going to assault a crippled’ man, you know, but I'll give him a Mft in wheat some of these days; see if I don't.” . “The bankruptcy, courts have been kept busy for years with men who have en-| deavored to give Mr. Grimwood a lift, as you term Better proceed with cau- tion, Stillson - “That's alli-right,” cried Howard with the supreme confidence of a young man in his accent. Shaking hands with the managef, he en- tered the board of trade room, and was speedily absorbed fn the tumult there, but nevertheless found occasion now and then to direct his eyes briefly teward the tele- graph office. As tine went on Elincr McClintoch’s new occupation became less and less strange to her. She quickly mastered the details of her calling, andFielders departing, not without a manly sigh, the whole duty of the office deyplved upon her. Messages, code or plain, passed rapidly to and fro under the ni je manipulation of her pret- ty fingers, and there were no complaints that information now reached ears nat in- tended for it. But even had she done her work less honestly or less expertly, he would have been a brave man who found fault with her conduct of business, fer the whole board of trade, with the possible ex- ception of old Grimwood, was avowedly in love with her. Some of the older men said they liked her for her father’s sake, but popular as he had undoubtedly been, this hardly accounted for the universal admira- tion bestowed upon his daughter, and the stock exchange would have risen as one man to protest against her removal had Mr. Sandys proposed such a thing. For the first time in history an action of the ‘Western Union received unstinted approba- tion. But they had all recognized that Howard had the lead as far as the fair telegraphist was concerned, and that he was the man to keep it. The reluctant in- troduction which he had practically forced from the manager had given him an ad- vantage at the beginning, and many of his young rivals maligned their luck that this advantage had not been theirs. Howard sent many telegrams, and lingered over the counter as he handed them in, turning away often to find the cold, critical eye of old Grimwood fastened upon him, which made him rave inwardly and wish the an- cient broker would attend to his own busi- ness; a complaint which few had ever urged against the hardened speculator. One evening as Elinor was walking home young Howard met her at a street corner and -expressed great surprise at the coin- cidence. He told her he was on his way to see a sick friend, who lived on 16th street, and was quite taken aback when he learned that she also lived on 16th street. He made the brilliantly original remark that this was a small world after all. and asked if he might walk with her, as their paths lay in the same direction. He was further amazed to hear that she rarely took a street car, even when it rained, for she was fond of walking, and it turned out that he, too, ‘was a devoted pedestrian. She believed what he said, as women will when they have a liking fer a man, and if his consclence did not check him for his mendacity, it must be remembered that his was a conscience nurtured in the wheat pit, and perhaps somewhat out of working or- der because of the jars received there. And before we, who are happily perfect, blame him overmuch it is well to take into account the fact that he was already deep- ly in love with the girl, and much may be forgiven a young man in that disturbing but delightful condition. The illness of Howard’s friend proved to be a case that apparently baffled the med- ical skill of Disopolis, for the young man was compelled often to visit him, and, of course, as the hours when ke was free to do so coincided with those when Miss Blinor was on her way home, it is not sur- prising that the two often met and walked toward 16th street together. At first the girl was seriously ed about the iliness of the ill-fated ffient, for her memory was better than Howard's, and she was astonish- ed when the invalid developed several new maladies each weeX, bidding fair to become the most comblicafed instance of human misfortunes that ever appealed to harassed physicians in vain: But at last the hapless patient became no longer necessary and was allowed to depart to the oblivion from which he had been conjured; the pleasure of meeting and walking together forming its owt. exci sefor doing so. Once they en- countered old Grimwood taking his shuffling constitutionat ‘stroll, ordered by his medi- cal advisers, and he leered at them, lifting his hat as they passed, with polite ostenta- tion, but ncthing he could. do seemed ac- ceptable tc Stillson Howard, who scowled at Grimwood's perpetual wink and neglect- ed to return his salutation. “I suppose it is wicked of me,” said Eli- nor, “but I cannot help disliking that man. Perhaps it is because I know opposition that caused the bankruptcy my father, although that should be excuse for me.” Howard replied in a rhapsody which need not be here r for he was prej of no recorded, judiced against Grimwood, and made no real effort to do justice to the distinguish- ed talents of the shrewd old man; ¢alking instead of the tm mob, a head zaller ihan his fellows, had his right nand upraised, dnd he shouted in @ triumphant volce that rang through the aa: “I'll take 10,000 bushels.’ He was buying them, the girl knew that much, and he needed ‘ttle inducing. Old Grimwood watched him, keeping aloof, and taking no part in the struggle. And many others watched Grimwood, whose immobile face told them nothing. “You look a litle tired, Miss McClin- toch,” said a member, coming up to the counter. “Does the hubbub worry you?” “Oh, no; I'm used to that. What Is it all about?” “There's a little flutter in the wheat zaar- ket, some queer rumors floating about. I've thrown up my hand myself. Somebody's going to get nipped, and I think it’s a first- rate time to go fishing.” “I don’t understand these operatioas. Which side fs Mr. Grimwood on?’ “Well, pow, for a person who hasn't learned the game, that’s not bad. You've turned up the right bower first time. We'd all like to know where the old man stands. Grim- wood seems to be lyin’ low and sayin’ nuffin’. I don’t think it will be much of a shower myself, put that's what the other fellow said to’Noah, and authorities now are convinced he was wrong.” The Irsistent electrical machine called to the girl and she turned to it, but all the while the abkorrent phrase Kept tap- ping at her mind, “Then we'll have him foul.” If she could, without telling what ske knew, give him a hint, but that would merely be doing indirectly what she had promised not to do directly, yes, or indirect- ly either, for Sandys had trusted her com- pletely. Even if she resigned immediately and warned her lover, it would be a breach of confidence to reveal what she learned while in the employ of the telegraph com- pany. There was nothing she could hon- estly do, but resolutely hold her peace and let the Hehtning strike where it would. She had foreseen no such test as this when . she geve her promise to the manager. Old Grimwood himself came to the coun- ter with a message, and his- baleful eye seemed to search her conscience as it fell upon her. He made no remark and turned away as she took the telegram. It was to his Chicago agent and was terse enough. “Everything going our way,” it said. She sighed us she sent the four words flying over the wire. Elinor hoped her strength would not be put to a strain it could not stand, and on leaving the building she went up the ave- nue and ecross the town, walking rapidly, and avoidirg her accustomed route, that she might not meet her lover. -As she turn- ed out of the wide avenue into a by street she heard quick steps following her, and was greeted by a well-known voice that sent a tremor through ker frame. “Hello, Elinor! What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to escape me? I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw you go up the avenue.” “I-I thought,” murmured the girl, breathlessly, “that you had such an excit- ing day you might not—might not be at the corner.” “The corner!” he cried, his eyes opening wide, and she thought she saw a trace of alarm in them, but the next moment they danced again, and he laughed. “Oh, yes, of course, the street corner. I wouldn't miss that spot for all the wheat in Ameri- ca—unless you went the other way round, as you ve done, but I tell you it was a day to be remembered, and yet nothing to what tomorrow will be. Wheat! I'll fairly bristle with wheat tomorrow. I’m going to buy all in sight and out of sight. You can hear the rattle of wheat in my pockets uew, but just wait till tomorrow! It’s make or break with me; in fact, I’m up to the neck us it is, but there's a plunge coming that will astonish the natives, especially my Christian friend, oid Grimwood.” The girl drew a long, quivering sigh, as the jubilant, enthusiastic young man, the excitement ef the day still upon him, ges- ticulated and poured forth the torrent of words. “Warn him! Warn him!” said her heart. ‘Remember your promise,” said her con- science. “I would rather’—she spoke slowly and with effort—“I would rather be the poorest laborer in the poorest cottage on this street than live such a Hfe.” “So would I, but I'm not going to live it. I quit tomorrow night—a rich man, or dead broke. No half measures for me; no hang- ing on year by year to be smashed at the last. Elinor,” his voice lowered, “I don't care that for riches on their own account.” He raised his hand and snapped his fingers, the gesture she had seen when he bid for the 10,000 bushels. “But I want them to bring comfort and tuxury to—to some one else.” x “Tell him! Tell him!” said her heart. ‘What is all the world to you compared to this man?” “You gave your word of honor!” said her <oPhes stopped at treet to let thi sto} at a cross street to let the rocking, bounding car go swiftly past. “Secrecy, secrevy, secrecy!” hissed the run- spasmodical! “Why, Elinor! My Gear girl, you're look- ing white. What's the enatter?” CATARRH TREATED FREE While Doctor McCoy Is Teaching the People He Will Enforce His Teaching by Giving All His Treatment For Catarrh Free--Lesson No. 6, Catarrh and the Bronchial Tubes. ‘The treatment that ts universally used all over the country for Catarrhal troubles is the treatment that Doctor McCoy erigimated and formulated tn 1883; the treatment, by the way, which he vastly improved in his later practice. The fact that it is his carlicr treatment that is universally used for Catarrh by doctors certainly entitles him to speak With authority regarding this disease, and in the serles of articles (copsrighted) which will follow he will try to set the public and the profession as Well entirely right upon the subject. Doctor McCoy will give the people his treatment without charge while he is teaching them abou: Catarrh. He will treat them all free. simply charging for the medicine. He is not selling medi- cine, elther. He ts simply giving them medicine at the cost of it. His services and bis treatment for Catarrh are entirely free for the time—that is, while he is teaching the people the truth about Ca- tarrh in this serips of articles or lessons. August Vogelsberger, 2018 7th st. n.w. Cured of deafness. HOW CATARRH PREPARES THE WAY FOR CONSUMPTION—LESSON Wo 6 (Copyright, 1897, J. C. MeCoy.) In the fifth article of this serics, called “Lesson No. 5,” I tela you bow Catarrh passed from the throat te the bronchial tubes,. producing Bronchial Catarch. : In this article, which is called “Lesson No. 6," I will show you how Oatarrh prepares the way for Consumption. In the last article, that dealt as it did with Bronchial Catarrh, I potnted out how ex- tremely aangerous Catarrh was when it had en- tered the small tubes In the Iungs, the small bron- chial tubes, as it were, and I pointed out how any extension from this polut meant Catarch of the lung cells, which is Catarrhal Consumption, or Low an extension of Bronchial Catacrh was liable to pass to the covering of the lung and cause pleurisy, or enter the substance of the lung and produce fa- flammation of the lings or pneumonia. Waile Catarrh does extend from the B-onchial Tubes and into tke lungs and directly causes thou- sands of cases of Catarrhal Consumption every year, I desire to make ft very plain im this article that there 4s another form of Consumption that is not directly the result of Catarrh, but for the develop- ment of which Catarrh is largely responsible. Now this other form of Consumption (called Tu- berenlar Corsomption, because it Is due to the presence in the system of the tubercular germs) often owes its presence to an attack of Catarch, The Ca- tarrh sufferer is ever in danger of this form of Consumption, hecause of the raw, broken spots upon the men.branes of his breathing apparatus that have been made by the Catarrh, ‘Through these sore and raw places the tubercle germs, which are floating around in the alr during a dry spell, min- gled with the dust from the rooms that have been occupied by people with this form of Consumption, are breathed into the chest, lodge in one of these sore places and so invade the system and develop the disease. Now, all those persons who suffer with Catarrh, amd even those whe breathe in the Con- sumption germs on the sore and inflamed places made by the Catarrh, do not contract consmption, | for in some instances the systems of such persons | succeed in throwing off the germs, refusing to al- low them te enter the blood. They sueceed im re- fusing admission te the germs on rount of their strength and vitality. Granting all this, dt as «till not a safe thing to t system, becanse by Catarrh ts in anger of acquiring Tuberc Consumption tn the way that T have mentioned. While all persons who are bitten by a mad dog do not bave hydrophobia, statieties showing that only one ont of every theme that are bitten “0 mad at all; still few persons would risk bed: bite ten by a rabid dog because they happen to know that all who are bitten do not go mad, and Con- sumption fn the form known as Tubercular Con- sunption is as dangerous and berritle In its de- velopment and extension as the worst form of Arophobia. It in worse, because the suffering it tn. duces is prolonged over a greater length of tims than the suffering produced by the bite of a rabid dog. It fs very truc, as T have «aid, that Catarrh does not cause all cases of Consumpt very true that all those who have developed Consmp. tien have been subject to Uatarrh at seme perled in their lives. All Consumptives were victims of Catarrh, ‘They took cold easily, and where tho Catarrhal affection did not itself praduce the Oon- sumption, it will be discovered on close tnvestiga- tion that {t propared the way for It While no intelligent or self-respecting doctor to- day claims that ail cases of Consumption are of a Catarrhal character, still, ff the history of every case of Consumption was written it would be found to consist of the story of frequent colds that were left uncured; colds that did not get well themsel: colds that came every spring and got better in the summer, but came back worse In the fall and winter; colds that were followed by Ca- tarrhal symptoms—a discharging pose, sere and in- flamed throat, hawking of mucus, with coughing and spitting. As is well known, the fatal form of ‘Consumption so common In our midst is due to the entrance into the bieod of Tubercle Bactius, which settles in the lungs and sets up lung disease. The Consumption germs cagvot enter the load of ae whose bodily bealth is perfect nor the «: tem of one whose blood is rich and pure, unless there should be present in the part a broken, sore or discharging spot where the Consumption germs may lodge and enter the system. Catarrh forms Just such broken places. The expelled air of a Consumptive frequently contains the seeds of the disease. The material which Consumptives cough up also contain these germs, which, after having dried in the air, are blown around and inhaled by other persons. It is seon at once that those who lve in @ sec- tion where Consumption is prevalent should be very particular to keep their bodily bealth of a high standard and never allow themselves to have Catarrh-affected, sore, inflamed, discharging mose, thrdat or Bron-hial Tubes, through which the Con | sumptive germs may gain ndmission to the system. ‘The most potent clement that can be used to ban { ish Consumption is the cnre of Catarrh, the disonse that makes the development of Consumption pos- le. McCoy System of Medicine, PERMANENT OFFICES DR. McCOY’S NATIONAL PRACTICE, Dr. J. Cresap McCoy, Dr. J. M. Cowden, Consulting Physicians. 715 13th Street Northwest. Office Hours, 9 to 12.a.m.,1 to 5 p.m. @ to 8 p.m.daily. Sunday,10 a.m. to 4 p.m. i] hostilities next day on the floor of the stock exchange. He wanted to sell wheat, it seemed, and the moment that was ap- parent no one wished to buy, except How- ard,“who announced himself ready to take all there was on the market. Frantic tele- grams were hurled at Chicago, beseeching reliable information, the one thing of all others Chicago was unable to supply. No one was buying but Howard. Those who did any business followed the lead of old Grimwood and sold, just as timid players at Monte Carlo put their money on the color of the man who has broken the bank. At last even Grimwood began to waver, and finally ceased to offer further lots, while Howard, in stentorian voice and up- lifted right hand, looked like a modern Ajax defying the lightning, which every one knew was bound to strike somewhere, and that soon, for the financial sky was becoming exceedingly lowering. “I want wheat!” he roured. “Wheat! Wheat! All done at that. Who's got any? Mr. Grimwood, did I have a nod fro:n youd” “I hope you'll be able to pay for what you've got,” muttered Grimwecod, but he did not offer to sell. “Come, Mr. Grimwood, surely you can shake another $10,900 out of your sleeve at least. I'l Sump the p: a po'nt if that will be of any xasisiance. There were no more offers. No one knows who was the first to get tke truth irom Chicago, but teleg ams began to pour ‘The name of Hutch- inson—“Old Hutch"’—thrilled the crowd like an electric shock. The bigzest, strongest and most unbreakable wheat corner U Unitei States had cver known had been formed, with Ol] Huteh at th d of i. Wheat went up Jke a ba.von, and the Trice of tne poor man’s loaf was raised throughout all the land. so that a group of Chicago specuiators micht become rich. The moment Howard xaw the cereal cat was out of the bag all als excitement van- ished, and he thrust his hands in his pock- ets, casting a quick glance at the tele graph office. He was a miilivnaire now if the corner held, which, as every one knows, it did. Grimwood was hard hit, but no emotion showed itself on his face. He approached Howard with something almost like a smile hovering about his lips, and said in a squeaky whisper: “You seemed to be very sure of your information, Mz. “Howard. thought we had kept the secret better.” Ve? Are you in that deal Yes. Didn’t you know ii Then you weren't so well informed as I thought. My agents were buying elsewhere, while you'll lose all you've gained before long, anyhow. I've seen many a plunger in my time.” “T lose the money, Mr. Grimwood, but it won't leak imto your pockets. I'm going to qu‘t, and as scon as you and the rest of the beys walk up to the captain's office and settle I’m off to Europe on my wedding tour.” “Then she didn’t tell you?” ‘Who didn’t tell me, and what didn’t she until i generosity. I'll take an amount out of the sum you pay me equal to her father's for- tune and give it to her as a wedding pres- ent. Good-bye.” The room was now almost empty. How- ard crossed rapidly to the telegraph coun- ter. Elinor had her hat on and was ready to leave. “Will you send a dispatch for me, Miss MeClintoch?”" “Oh, certainly,” she answered. He wrote the message and she took it, turning toward the instrument. “But read it first.” he cried. She looked at the paper. “Dear Mr. Sandys,” it ran, “I beg to re- sign my position as telegraph operatot. I am to be married shortly and am going to Europe with my husband. “Elinor McClintoch.” “I think, ke said, smiling, and crump- ling the paper in her hand, “that as Mr. Sandys has been so kind to me, I will re- sign more formally and in persen. It seems to have been right to buy wheat after all?” “Exactly right—on this occasion. As right, Elinor, as keeping one’s word.” Their eyes met caressingly. “I am glad that you know,” she sald with a little sigh of contentment. —__>__— Evening Solace. The human heart ha® hidden treasures, In secret Kepi, io silence sealed; ‘The thoughts, the Whase charms a: ss ‘The memory of the past may dle. But there are hours of lonely musing, Such as in evening silence come, birds their pinions’ closing, ¢ heart's best feelings gather wome, Then in our souls there seems to languish A tender grief that is not woe And thoughts tiat once wrung groans of anguish ‘Now cause but some mild tears to mow, And feelings, once as strong as passions, Phoat seftiy back—a faded dream; Gur own sharp griefs anf wild sensations The tale of others’ sufferings seem. —CURTRER BELL. ee Fashionable. From Fliegende Blatter.