ugh, "X n" complied, and Nattie now succeeded in
receiving the message without further mishap.

"What did you sign?" she asked, as she thankfully wrote the last word.
Every operator is obliged to sign his own private "call," as well as the
office "call," and "O. K." at the close of each message.

"C." was replied to Nattie's question.

"O. K. N. B m," she then said, and added, perhaps trying to drown the
memory of her ludicrous error in politeness, "I hope another time I
shall not cause you so much trouble."

"C" at "X n" was evidently not to be exceeded in little speeches of
this kind, for he--or she--responded immediately,

"On the contrary, it was I who gave you trouble. I know I must certainly
have done so, or you never could have effected such a transformation as
you did. Imagine the feelings of the sender of that message, had he
found a hearse awaiting his arrival instead of a horse!"

Biting her lip with secret mortification, but determined to make the
best of the matter outwardly, Nattie replied,

"I suppose I never shall hear the last of that hearse! But at all events
it took the surliness out of you."

"Yes, when people come to a hearse they are not apt to have any more
kinks in their disposition! I confess, though," "C" went on frankly, "I
was unpardonably cross; not surly, that is out of my line, but cross. In
truth, I was all out of sorts. Will you forgive me if I will never do so
again?"

"Certainly," Nattie replied readily. "I am sure we are far enough apart
to get on without quarreling, if, as they say, distance lends
enchantment!"

"Particularly when I pride myself upon my sweet disposition!" said "C."

At which Nattie smiled to herself, to the surprise of a passing
gentleman, on whom her unconscious gaze rested, and who thought, of
course, that she was smiling at him.

Appearances are deceitful!

"I fear you will have to prove your sweetness before I shall believe in
it," Nattie responded to "C," all unaware of what she had done, or that
the strange young gentleman went on his way with the firm resolve to
pass by that office again and obtain another smile!

"It shall be my sole aim hereafter," "C" replied; and then asked, "Have
you a pleasant office there?"

"I regret to say no." Then looking around, and describing what she
saw--"a long, dark little room, into which the sun never shines, a crazy
and a wooden chair, a high stool, desk, instruments--that is all--Oh!
And me!"

"Last b