Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 165: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

156 ‘“You’re a liar, Brakewood Fors- dyke,” flashed Dash unwilling to be- lieve the statement, and not waiting to hear more. “What?” shouted Forsdyke in a rage, springing up and advancing towards the agent with clenched fists. Dykeman promptly put himself cn the defensive, feeling fully able to take care of himself and give the other a warm reception. But before a blow could be struck, a shadow crossed the door, and turning, Dash saw Dorothy Orloff. CHAPTER XXXVII. THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM. ‘“T BEG your pardon, Miss Orloff, do you wish to see me?” said Dash promptly dropping one hand to his side, and raising the other to his cap, as he turned to the young lady and ad- vanced towards the door. ‘Most happy to see you, Miss Or- loff,” joined in Forsdyke, in his politest and most winning tones, dropping all liostilities even more quickly than Dash had. “ Won’t you come in and brighten my. poor quarters with your presence? ”’ “No, thank you, Mr. Forsdyke,” re- plied the young lady, with an amused smile, glancing from one to the other of the would be belligerents, on whose faces the flush of anger had not entire- ly departed. “ I’m ina hurry, and only wish to send a telegram.” ‘“ There’s the operator, Miss Orloff,” said Forsdyke, with a sneering empha- sis on the word operator, as he indi- cated Dash with a lofty wave of the hand. “Yes, Miss Orloff, I’m the oper- ator,” added Dash imperturbably, turn- ing away. “Come to the office, please.” ‘Are you really the operator, too? I thought you were only agent,” said the fair girl as she followed him. “Yes,” replied Dash, briefly and so- THE ARGOSY. berly, for he was still foolishly troubled by what Forsdyke had said. “Oh, how lovely,” went on the young girl impetuously and all over smiles. “ You can teach me and I could tell what those aggravating old things are always ticking about. Couldn't you? ” Yes, certainly, if you would care tu undertake it, but it isn’t as easy as it looks, and you wouldn’t hear any se- crets if you did understand it.” ‘ You're not very encouraging, sir,” she returned with a little pout; and then added with a roguish smile: “ I believe you are afraid I would get your position.” “ Oh, yes, very much,” laughed Dash ; “ but you could be my assistant. How would you like to be night oper- ator? ”’ “ Oh, dear, I’m such a sleepy head, I never could keep awake,” with a com- ical frown. “ Would I have to begin with that? ” “‘That’s generally the first work a new operator gets.” “Then I’ll not go into the business ; but I might learn it so I could tele- graph just a little; couldn’t I?” “Yes, you could; but here we are. Have you your message ready?’”’ said Dash as they entered the waiting room and stopped at the ticket window. ‘Yes, but it’s horridly written, and that’s all the paper I could find in the house,’ said Dorothy, with the usual fentinine excuses. ‘I guess he can read it,” laughed Dash jokingly, as he passed the paper through the window to the night oper- ator, who had relieved him early so he might pay his expected visit at Mrs. Handiford's. “Hel Who?” “ The night operator.” ‘“Does he commence work as early as this all the time?” “No, but I wanted to get off, and he came down early to accommodate me.” “ How good of him; and you’re com- ing down to our house this -evenirg.. eo