THE ASHBUKtON GUARDIAN-. FBIMY, DEOEMBEfi 15, 18»i

Printed and pablithed by Hktbt Willis * Peter Street, Aahburton, for the Proprii* tora, at their Printing Office, Burtfii Street, Aahburton* mvATitkmmti im



T.H. Undbiu,, it , VKJiUmi T H. UNDBILL AM) 00*, T7IURNISHING UNDERTAKERS, r URNISHING UNDERTAKERS. TANORED STREET, ASH BURTON EVERY REQUISITE ON HAND. PoUshed Coffin* » Specialty, A Choice Asaortment of Artificial Wratht n stock. —.—' Private Address, Pete* Street, directly behind Oddfellow*' Hall; *Uc mn •* MrT. Andrew. East Bell. 1 J. V. DE BEER, WATCHMAKER * JEWELLER TTAS jaat received the first consignment of hit XMAS GOODS IN GOLD AND SILVER, 000 listing of WATOHEB,3ALBERTB, MUFFCHAWSi BROOCHES, BANGLES, STUDS, LINKS, PENDANTS* BELT OLABPB, And numeroßß novelties m the latest design! and at prices to tait the time* INSPECTIoFINVJTED, All Goods Marked m Plain Figures A Further Shipment of the Celebrated R9THERHAM LEVER WATCHES JUST TO HAND. Also— THREE DOZEN HARVEST WATCHES AT 9/8, Best Value m Canterbury. REPAIRS As""ugUAti— Fromp*] Neat, Reasonable. ISIGHT TESIINg'a SPECIALTY, J. V.DE~BEER, .'(Late S. Salek) EAST STREET, ASHBPRTON TO ALL MY OLD CLIENTS FARMERS, AND RESIDENTS OF ASHBURTON OOUNTY.J I BEG to inform you thai I hate term* my connection with tht Oanterbory Mill, which waa under my maaagement tot over seven yeart, and have POROHABIB from Mr Edwin Thomas the WAKANUI ROLLER tWtm UILtA The Canterbury Mill, wMttl te Ike property of the Bank of Nf# twXimA AsmM Board, is still trading «•<!« »k« mm* ti Rollitt & 00, to l» ateld *e«fi»iet witk correspondence, I weali like f% ask yoo >« addreis all orden t» f HtMAS ROLUTt^ WAXAKtfI ROLLER 'FLOUR MILLS, ASHBtfRTOI On andaft«t Oel.Wlrt,lrtan ItyltMtfl to snpply yon with tnt*la« ROLLER FLOUR, WHBATMIIt.BRAJg ft SHARPS, »t lernt eomtiiktM* FOR THE OONVENMOII Of f ARMIRB DOIKQ GlISfXKdt I have amajred I* te«f a Mff ljr «f fW, Bran, and Bharpa at Iks Stwt* »f tk«K<K Farmers' Assoaittlm, Wfrt ItMMI, wh«r# Farmers, Saarehefien «t a«»'Bka»eh«M«r% oan leave thelt Wheat aid |et fletf, Bim*, and Sharps la exohaafß* PSetse N«t«-«i« Cntotbnf Mm* kai« lately refnsed to de Orlstiif, |«s Fafntw oan always rely ra gebtlst thelt Wheat exchanged at the Farmers' (7o'eptra>tlv* THOMAfROLLITL WAKANOI ROLLER FLOUR MILLS. 9 265 ASHBtJRTON. gSm, Sound the PURE CEYLON OB BLENDED MISS CARSOK rfIEACHER of Pianoforte and OrgM ( X. For terms, etc., apply at Residence Corner of Wills and William Streets near Wakanui Road East. 19?



,JUBILEL REFRESHMEHT ROOMS BURNE n STREET. IUNDER NEwT ANAGaMENT> H- H. "CAPON attention *°n gefcfclnSth * bait oi Terms on application!



TANCBED STBEET.



J. L. HIGGS, PAINTER, PAPERHANGER, SIGNWRITBR, Etg.



*t>)'* i»! »rp «ts, Brussels, Tapsibry Siu>r33, »1« Blaukabs and Flannels.



Ladies' and Gents' Boots splendid stock bought at lowest rices, ev«ry pair guaranteed*



Men's Boater Hats great variety »b lowest possible price.



New Laces, C B Corsets, P D Corsets and all the best makes from Is lid, Umbrellas, Sunshades from la upwards.



Grand Seleotion of new Prints for blouses metallia prints; prints from Z£d guaran teed to wash.



New Millinery Call and see the new teleo tionß of the. latest Millinery including Paris models m Hats and Bonnetts.



ARTIST'S MATKRTALS, and latest esigaa m WALL PAPERS, m stock.



ESTIMATES GIVEN FREE For all classes of painting and house decorations.



BUSINESS PEOPLE requiring Sign writing wonld find it to their interest to consalt J. L. HIGGS, 9S he does tho work hlmeelf, therefore there is no second profit to pay. His ability ia well known as formerly signwrlter to Mr J. Wilson, with whom he has severed all connection.



IMPORTANT to Cash Buyers of Drapery, Clothing, Boots, &c. Early Summer Clearance Sale of Seasonable and Reliable Goods. Cash discount at the rate of one shilling m the pound to every Bayer of ninepeac* worth and over. Inspection in vittd.—H. O. Barrett, late Barrett Bros,, The Hall, Em* Street. 11 206



A SHBURTON—We can afford to spend J\. money m advertising, so much Honda • Lanka Tea is selling, everybody likes ib. Sold by Shearman Bbos, m paokots ; 5 and 101 b boxes packed m Ceylon.



ONYBODY kha Sco ohmrne dns ttas, M'Kenzie'a HondaiLanka Tea, because t saves the quid siller, an* gangs faur.



BLUE Derwent Potatoes Is 6d per bag, or two bags for 2s lid ; Fig Potatoes Is per Bag. Delivered free within the Belts. Fuetohbb Beos., Cash Supply Stores.



Notwithstanding the Great Advance m Wool we were Fortunate m placing Large Orders at old Prices, which the Public will get the full Benefit of. Customers always well treated. DRESSMAKING m full Swing, prompt attention to Wedding and Mourning Orders. The Obescest! Bioyolb, best m Canterbury 5 £17 10s,



A large stock of Linoleums and Floor cloths from best English manufacturers, splendid value.



100 dozen Ladies' Handkerchiefs bought a big reduction m Home market.



Kid Gloves all sizes Is 6d upwards. Cycling Gloves, Evening Gloves all prices and shades from 6d,



Nuns' Veiling. Cream, White, Pink, Corn flour, Green, Sky, from Is per yard.



Black & Navy Coating Serges le Qd, Is 6Jd Is lid, 2s 3d, ?a lid.



38BftokBrochu Costume* excellenb Rvalue loly goods, 2s 3d,12s 6d, sb, 3b 6d, to 5s d.



FOR BEST VALUE IN SPRING AND SUMMER DRAPERY. -GO TO ANDREW 0R R. A New Shipment just opened, purchased m London at the Lowest Possible Price. The Value cannot be surpassed. Inspection and comparison invited, ALL HIGH CLASS DRAPERY.



SHEEP SHEARS. SHEEP SHEARS. T.U.S. 8.8.A. T.U.S. 8.8.A The Best Brands obtainable at very lowest rates. Also TURKEY STONES and OIL for above. ALL NEW AND SPECIALLY SELECTED. LAWN MOWERS. LAWN MOWERS. EXCELSIOR;! KEWBASY! AND CRESCENT! At Town Prices, ENGLISH STEEL TRUNKS. '^BETTER VALUE than COLONIAL and LessinTrico WAT&R POTS and BCCKEfS. Just m time for the Dry Weather. AT W. H. COLLINS & COS., "BABDWARE EMPORIUM." EAST STREET ASHBURTON. Tbi«kphonb~l4 & J5 P.O 80x—35.



- 25,000 — COOKING Hilltfll RANGES IN USE IN THIS COLONS M ' "ill K"^ Sfflk THEY BURN LIGNITE, TRUE GOAL OR WOOD UP TO 24ih NO SETTING "REQUIRED. Witb'Stove Pipe can be worked ont n the open. SPLENDID BREAD ( BAKERS. With Cant Iron or Cop er Boilers. The Copper Boilers are large and Ti . eaa 1 REPAIRS ARE A MINIMUM. Made m all sizes, single or double ovens. High or low pressure boilers. ■""■""jOi"""" """■ Sold by all Ironmongers, from whom Catalogues can be obtained, or from the maker, H. E. SHACKLOCK. SOUTH END FOUNDRY, DUNKDIN



A CARD. 11/T IBS H. FRIEDLANDER MANICURIST, Arcade Chambers, Ashburton. i Hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10 19 A SHBURTON — A'body kens that JOL Scotchmen drink M'Kenzie's Hondai- Lanka Tea, because ib saves the quid ailer, an' gangs fanr. Messrs Shearman Bros, recommend it.



PIANOFORTE, SINGING, ORGAN, AND (THEORY OF MUSIC. TMTRS "OOWMAN T^ O X 1 Member of fehe Canterbury Society of Professional Musicians, Hatelock Street, Ashburton. Pupils prepared for Trinity College examinations. I Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Co gh and Colds never fails—lb 6d And 9« 6d



TO MY CLIENTS. T AM PREPARED TO DISPOSE OF ANY SHEEP AND LAMB SKINS SENT TO FAIRFIELD FEEEZING WORKS, TC BEST POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE. It would be well to give me particulars prior to sheep being forwarded. DAVID THOMAS, ASHBU^TON "BELFAST AND FAIRFIELD FREEZING WORKS MANURES, ARE THE BEST TpOR TURNIP, RAPE WHEAT, AND ANY OTHER CROP. SPECIAL MANURE can be made for any kind of Soil, or description of crop. SATISFACTION GIVEN EVERYWHERE LAST SEASON. MANURE OAN BE SUPPLIED IN 1 Owt. or 2 Owt. SAOKS. Orders received b/ fKIESI>r-.A]NI>3BR BROH, JUmltecW OA.VII> THOMAS, OR THE N.Z-. FABMEBS CO-O£»Jfiß ACTIVE A S»OCIATION OF CAINTERBLRY, limited., CANTERBURY FROZEN MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCE EXPORT COMPANY. LIMITED. 8 80 F. WAYMOUTH Secretary.



Ashburton Furniture Warehouse, — WICKSK ANjT '"FANCY CHAIRS — In« New »od Oholceg J^M^O>-^^^|^ Ccshions, De a ign ß ;at M prloeß t0 "ait" JEeduoed Pbices 1 from 6/6 •ioh. Linoleums, [Oarpetp, iS/'^^^^s^^lH^SPSte^ choloe*ftMor6inent CrctoDDeSj Mats, -^ j?>-7~j r _ Trr^Kf2pjj;^M Tcileb Ware, eto. |?jif#.^^^^f^f^^;gS'^fc^i Cushiona, to choose 1 ?~~£'^r-:i''r£s±?^: i--~\y:'lii- from. IF*rYIiI.]NTTXJJEI/lil 0 all kinda made on the Premises Large Stocks of BEDSTEADS always on hand an! arriving direob from Makers. T. H. UN DRILL & CO., CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, & UNDERTAKERS, } TANCRED^ STREET, opposite Auoadh.



SANTA GLAUS AND FATHER CHRISTMAS AEE COMING AGAIN HURtt AH I H V BBAH I H. M. JONES. )»> A LARGE and Well Selected Stock of Goods for all Departments, imported direofc from leading London, American and Japanese houeee, consisting of BOOKS, STATIONERY, TOYS, FANCY GOODS, LEATHER GOODS. Fancy China, Glass and Electroplated Ware, Clocks, Vases, Nic-naca (suitab'e for CHRISTMAS and NKW YEAR Gifts BIRTHDAY fe WEDDING PRESENTS. BOOKS—Excellent Variety of pria \ reward and presentation Booka. Historical, Biographical, Scientific, PoetloaJ, Travels, Novels, asd various Bindings, Biblep, Hymns and Prayers, (various styles) Church Praise, Wesley's Hymns. * Plain, Facey and Commercial Paper, Envelopes, Boxed Stationery, White and Tinted 6-1 and Ib, Specially put up for me by Marcus Ward md Go , of London A.I. values. Repolnic, — velium. Linen and Bank papers ruled and plain, LEATHER GOODS—Purses from 6d to 20s. Wallets, Card and Letter Cases, Lidiet' and Gentlemen's Dredging Cases, Hand Bags, - — -, Pencil Cases. Companions* i FANCY GOODS—Photo Frames, Screens, Workboxea. Inkstands, Vases, Ornaments, Clocks, Albums, Eagles, Baaekets, Glove & Kerchief Sets, Cabinets, Trays, Flower Stands, Spill Bouls Teapots 6d each, Vases. Ornaments too numerous to particularise. BASKET WARE—Open and Closed Si'in Lined, all sices and pi ices from 6d up, TOYS—A Great Variety of Wood, Tin and Rubber mechanical Toy*, form Horse and Carts, Barrows, Go-carts, Tea Sets, Boats Watches Balis, Cubes, Blocks, Arks, Puzzles, Skittles, Musical Toy Rattles Steam Boats and Engines, Magic Lanterns, Microscope, Prams and Tricycles, and 1000 articles from Id up. SEWING MACHINES—The Anchor Machine, well finished and up-to-date, good machine, haad and Treadle from £410s to £9 10s. Makes a splendid present. PJAJNOH and OHGAINS From lOs per month Lowest Cash Prices. TRADING STAMPS GIVEN TO CASH PURCHASERS. H. M. JONES.



JUfcT LANDED. A CHOICE SELECTION OP THE MOST PASHIONABLK JEWELLERY. Also, WATCHES AMD CLOCKS By all the Leading Makers. PECTACLES TO SUIT ALL SIGHTS. GEORBE~JESWN, WATCHMAKER, East Street, Ashburton, CHEAP MONEY! CHEAP MONEY CHEAP MONEY IN SUMS JF £100 ™ £10,000, ON COUNTRY, CITY, AND SUBURBAN FREEHOLD, At 4$ per cent. Terms of repayment of the most liberal character, which can be ascertained on enquiry. TjIOR FORMS OF APPLICATION AND "j FULL INFORMATION Apply to the DISTRICT MANAGER, Christohuroh. J. H. RICHARDSON, Government Insurance Commissioner. LLEWELLYN OWEN, M.C.S.M., L.R.L.O.M. PIANOFORTE, SINGING, HAR MONT AND MANDOLINE. LOOK CHEAP WINTER FIRING. NEW MOUNT SOMERS COAL, OUTPUT has Trebled daring the la twelve months. IT IS USED EVERYWHERE. This Coal ia the Best and Cheapest Sfceam und Household Coal m the market. Used i» the Woollen Factory and Cant© oury Floor Mills. GIVES SPLENDID RESULTS WRITE FOR PRICES XO G. T, PABK, MOUNI) Eft 8.



MOREY TO LEND PRIVATELY. TANCRED STREET, Next Gas Compant's*[Offioes "TO LEND According to "Arrangement from jg|) AND UPWARD-, Upon any Security. TRADFT BILLS Privately Discounted. Wetkly or" Monthly Pay men! s can be Arranged. All Business Strictly Confidential. DAVID ZANDER, COMMISSION & FINANCE AGENT. A ENT FOR—Bun Fire Insurance Office and Canton-Marine Tneurance Office.



F. ffERRIMAN. 1 Knife Gdndeis FOR G'l'^ss Mowers "*" THE NEW MODEL DtrrTON MOWER KNIFF GRINDER ■"TUW 1, Kew Modol DuHon Mower J_KKnitf -t frrfndwr iti bdiev< dtobe as n«;ir perfection as scch a machine can be made. A most Valuable Improvement; has been made m the means used for holding he ktiiie to the grinding wheel, when b i'-g ground. The pressure of the k.:ifa against the wheel ia mado lets at the lower part of •he knife section, where tha least grind ng ia needed, aca it. gradually increased \s ihe whetl is movtd along the edga of \ the section towaids its point. " KEEP THE KNIVES SHAKP," is wnat fvmy mariufacuror cf mowers dirt-cts. With ihis grinder it ca« easily be done. With a dull knife, the wear uid strain, both on machine and team, m- greatly ifcereaeed, and the grass will be badly cut. A mar), or even a boy, wi'h this machine, can grnd a mower knife per fectly, and with ease and rapidly. When a section Is dnlled or nicked by coming m contact with a stone, as often I happens, it can he sharpened without grinding the oihf-r sections. TUB ' CORONDCM GRINDIING WHEKL'' dors us woik well. It. wears but little, and will last, according to the amount of work d' ne, from three to five years, and probabiy iouger. There is a iarge hole m the centre of the wheci, made water ight by the flanges which camp the wheel and hold it m position. When the machine is used this hollow spacer is filled with water through s Bmall hole m tin s de of on© of its fl nges ; the ho c is then plugged up. When turning i.he wheel m grinding, the water fc* driven through its pores by certrifcgal force, completely wetting its grinding mtfacej tlr's prevents ihe temper of the knife from being dcs troyed, which would be done if the wheel we^e ased dry. TUB OPEBATOF, while grinding a knife, utaads facing tho sidle of the wheel and over the Jniifo clanip ; this brings tho grinding of the section directly under the < ya. By means o a nfw ;mprovement the grlr.der can be readily clamptd to a pole or (he rim cf any whed having a wid'h of from 3 to 6£ Inches. It requires but little skill to use this grinder; the directions tent wish eaoh machine will, if followed, enable any one to work it without trouble. 'Ihese machines are protected fully by pateuts m the United States, Canada, Great Britain, BVance, Belgium a-..d Sweden. F. FEERIMAN, AGENT.



A CARD,] \ Branoh'Office has opened by the undersigned at Messrs Njcoll Bbos,, Eaab Street, where they will "carry on practice as Barristers and Solicitors. MAUDEJ& HABMAN, Solicitors, Chriatohuroh, Money to Lend at Lowest Current Rates, on Freehold Security. MAUDE k HARMAN, 11148 Aehburton. Smoke New Yeuui



same the signal of the sending oper ator "A. D." "Who m heaven's name is there m Chicago," he almost shouted, "that flares to sign 'A. D. V " ♦'Amy Davidson, of course," was his friend's reply. '•Don't trifle with me," O'Meara cried. "Amy Dawdaon is dead." "Not by a long shot," said the oper ator, making way for O'Meara. "It was only a rumor that some chuckle beaded ass accepted as a fact. She has been back at work for two weeks or more. From the manner m which she has inquired about you every day I ihould imagine that she takes an inter j Bst m you." I When he, sat down before the instru ment, his hand trembled co that he could scarcely form thd dots and dashes to ask: "Is that really you, Amy?'* He gave his owa signal "0. M." "Yes, Charley, and I'm glad you are well again." Her reply was as flutter ing as his question had been tremuloua Some of the operators m the New York office wondered at seeing a young man sitting at an instrument with tears of joy streaming down his face, while m the Chicago office there was surprise because a girl was crying and smiling at the same time. When he had recovered his equa nimity, O'Meara said: "They told me you were dead and I believed it. The shock nearly killed me." "It was merely a rumor, I'm happy fco jsay. But when I came back to work I was greatly depressed at hearing you were co iIL Now we will both be well and happy again." "I will never be thoroughly happy, my darling," O'Meara replied, "until you are my wife. I'm coming out there Boon to claim you. May I?" "Dear me, how can you wish to marry a girl whom you have never Been?" This was another instance of tremu iousness m transmission. "That's all right," O'Meara said. "I'm willing to risk it if you are. I've known and loved you for a long time, even if I haven't aeen you. Can I come I for you t" "I may be so homely that when voa see me you may be terribly disappoint ed. I may have red hair and freckles, a cast In my eye and a terrible hump on my back. Could you stand all that ?" ! "Yes," replied O'Meara, "if you could stand my bald head and red j nose." There was more of this pleasantry, and then Miss Davidson seriously agreed to marry her distant lover. After many ( more conversations on the wire it was j agreed thai Miss Davidson and O'Meara ! should meet at a half way point—Pitts burg being finally selected—where they should be married. This course was chosen m the hope that the consumma tion of their peculiar courtship could be accomplished secretly, thus avoiding the good natured, but embarrassing chaffing of their fellow operatora But that wire on which they made their atraßwements ran through the Plitsburg omee, where there were auto matic »epe»tfeig instruments. An oper ator standing beaMSe the repeaters one day overheard the final arrangements; heard the description eaoh gave the other by which to Insure identification at the depot and told all about it to the Pittsburg operators, who thereupon determined to make tbe occasion of the wedding interesting. A committee was appointed to watch the meeting of the couple and fco prepare for a reception. O'Meara arrived at Pittaburg a day ahead of Miss Davidson, as had been agreed upon, and was at the station on the following day when her train pulled m from the wesi His heart was beat ing wildly as he scanned the alighting passengers, and he was too preoccupied to notice that he was being watched by half a doscen young men. Not did he notice that he was ob served closely by a tall, bronze haired and decidedly handsome young woman who bad alighted from a Pullman car and was standing m the shadow of a baggage truck, loaded with trunks. There was a smile on the young wom an's face aa ehe finally stepped for ward and touched Mr. O'Meara on the shoulder. "How d'ye do, Charley?" ehe said. "Are you indeed Amy?" he cried, grasping her outstretched hands m both of his. "You told me to look out for a short, curly haired girl with a limp m the left foot, and I gave you an accu rate description of myself." ••Not so very accurate, though," fihe laughingly replied. "You didn't tell me half how good looking you are." tt was evident to the watchers, who now came forward, that they were pretty wefl satisfied with each other. The committee introduced themselves and announced that the couple were to be conducted forthwith to a hotel, where at 8 o'clock that evening they were to be married. This arrangement was carried out, and during the even ing the Pittsburg operators and their wives and daughters attended the wed ding reception and supper at the hoteL O'Meara is now an officer m the sig pal corps, and he distinguished himself m the war with Spain.— Buffalo News. Divorce In No*tli Dakota. Prom this day forward a year's resi dence will be required m North Dakota on the part of persons who wish to se cure divorces. North Dakota will now come to be known, as its sister states are, for Its fields, pastures, mines and natural resources. Heretofore It has been famous only as the state where persons might get a divorce while they walted.—Sansas City Star. Mexican Prisons. The term of a prisoner m a peniten tiary is divided into three periods. The first is occupied with penal labor. The second is labor m the training school, with a little pay. The third, "prepara tory freedom," includes paid work and many privileges.



Bicycle Harvest. LANDBLLS & SON, ENGINEERS & BICYCLE MAKERS BORKETT STREET, Next thk Ciub. TO the Farmers and General Pablio of Aahbnrton,—We beg to state that we i have reaped a harvest m Bicycles, havir jaat landed a big consignment of first-class jiffgera at £14 10a. We are the oldeßt bicycle firm m Ashburton and intend to uphold our reputation. i Agents for White Flyers, Rudge-Whlt-, worth, Waverleys, Cyclops, The Parrot, etoS Repairs by experts. AH work guara-o teed NOW cm View—s,ooo Christmas and New Year Cards. One of the largest, and best selections ever seen m Ashburton. Com prising Handpainted Cards, Black and White Cards. Cellulaid Card?, Mechanical Cards, Autograph Cards, Comic Cards, Boxob, Packets, Fancy Calendars, etc. Imported direct, and marked at the lowest possible price. Inepeotion Invited,- A, H' Willi&ma, sCaocr«4 gtr«tt.



"~ A PHOVOdrtAPHIC ERROR. " _ S begged a "sitting," and she kn«W ■'■,-, ;" ■ I made my plates with cara; J', So §he consented, for she, too, rivf**' , Thought to be plct\si«d fate. '■' |!" U others, who to her might seem C^,: Less fair, were m request '^'-.y? As models, why should she cot dream -:. Of ranking with the beat? And now she will not speak to met ' ' Her ftrown my art disarms; ? She never thought her face might ba One erf her lesser charms, » And ihe is angry, much to -my '. 1 Regret, you understand, j Since I politely asked if I I Might photograph her hand( **rank Eoe Batchelder m Photographic Thaefc C Love at Loi?£ Raoge S v Sentiment and Telegraphy—Dots V S and Lines That Were Full / of Peeling. Charles O'Meara was an operator m Hew York on one side of a qnadru plesed wire running to Chicago. The operator on the corresponding side m Chicago was Miss Amy Davidson. Both were expert, and the manner m which they kept their message hooks clear ex cited the admiration of the chiefs m their respective offices. O'Meara waa a handsome and intelligent yonng Irish man, with jet black hair and mnstache and great soulful blue eyes—one of the kind of men who seem almost uncon sciously to possess the power of fascina tion over women. After having worked the wire to gether for a few months O'Meara and Miss Davidson became well acquainted, although, of course, neither Bad ever Been the other. They had abundant op portunity for conversation m tbe early morning before the rush of business for the day began and m the late afternoon when the rush was over. There is a sort of telepathy m tel egraphy, as all telegraphers admit, and there certainly was m this case. Long before any word of love had passed over the wire between them each had be come conaciouß of a tender regard for the other. O'Meara could recognize m an instant the touch of a strange hand os the key m Chicago, and Miss David- Son wa* as quickly conscious of the change when any other than O'Meara's iian& manipulated the transmitter In New York. There is as much that is distinctly characteristic m the manner m which telegraphers form the dots and dashes as there is m the manifold forms of chirograpby. One morning Amy complained of feeling ill. "lam afraid,'" ehe said, "that I will have to give tip and go homa I would do so surely if I could afford to lose the time. My head aches dreadfully. Dear me! What would my mother and sister do if I should become teal sick. They have nobody to take care of them but me." There was a tremulouness m tbe dots and dashes, which plainly indicated to O'Meara that the girl, a thousand miles away, was weeping softly, as indeed ehe was, with her head resting wearily againat tbe resonator containing the Bounder. He replied: "Try to stick it ont today, dear. We will take it easy, ana perhaps you Will feel better by tomorrow. At any rate don't worry." It was the first time he had used any term of endearment m their inter course, and she was much affeoted. But she brightened up a little and man aged to struggle through the day's work. Next morning O'Meara found a fitrange operator at the Chicago end of the wire, and when he inquired for Miss Davidson was told that she was very ill. The poor fellow realized now, ff he never had before, that he was deeply m love with a woman he had never seen. He became co fretful and irritable as to excite comment among the others m the office. "What on earth is the matter with O'Meara ?" asked one of the operators on the opposite side of the "quad" of the man who sat at the next instru ment. "I guess he's m love with the Chi cago girl who is sick," was the reply. One morning the answer made by the Chicago operator to O'Meara's in quiry as to Miss Davidson's condition contained but one word —"Dead." O'Meara uttered a kind of moan, and his head fell upon his desk. When one of the chiefs aroused him, he found the young man's face flushed and his eyes bloodshot. O'Meara was sent home, where he remained for weeks, suffering from a severe attack of brain fever. .When at last he had recovered and re turned to the office to report fm duty, the chief told him to take bis usual Beat at the Ghicago quadruples "If you'd just aa lief, give me anoth er wire, I'd rather have it," O'Meara said. "I don't think I care to work with Chicago any more." There was a twinkle m the eye of the chief as he said: "You used to do some fine work on that Chicago wire." "Perhaps so," O'Meara replied sadly, ♦•but I had a fine operator to work With." "Well," said the chief, "that's a fine operator there yet—the same one s I be lieve, that was there befora " "That cannot be—for she is dead/ This with a great sob. : "I think you had better return to the old wire for the present at least," the chief said. "Then if you are not satis fied I will transfer you to some other circuit." O'Meara walked slowly over to his bid place to relieve the man who was at the moment receiving some messages from Chicago. As he neared the instru ment and heard the characters coming with a dearly loved and familiar sound his heart almost stopped beating so overwhelming was tbe surge of emo tion. He listened for a moment until at the beginning of another message