was
the same young gentleman who had called at the office, and inquired
about the tariff to Washington, for the sole object of talking, as she
then supposed.

"I have seen you before!" she exclaimed, on the impulse of the moment.

"That sounds like a novel! what is coming now?" ejaculated Jo, with his
mouth full of pie.

Mr. Stanwood laughed very heartily at Nattie's exclamation, and asked in
reply,

"Have you just discovered it? I recognized you the moment I entered the
room to-day. That is one reason I was so anxious to remain. She snubbed
me most outrageously," he added to Cyn, in explanation, "and simply
because I tried to be agreeable to her one day at the office."

"But you had no business to be agreeable!" said Nattie, also laughing,
and not at all displeased.

"Of course you had not," interrupted Jo.

"I never talk to strangers," concluded Nattie.

"Except, perhaps, on the wire, as you said just now!" he suggested.

"You have caught her now!" said Cyn gayly, as she peeled an orange. "But
you will never do even that again, will you, Nat?"

"One such experience is quite enough for me," Nattie replied.

"Still, the next one might not have red hair, or smell of musk!" Jo
remarked.

"He might be even worse, though!" interposed the penitent on the stool.

With a strangely puzzled look, Mr. Stanwood glanced from one to the
other, observing which, Cyn said,

"You don't understand, of course. May I tell him, Nat?"

"Ah! well--yes!" Nattie replied with an air of vexed resignation. "I
suppose I may as well make up my mind to be laughed at on account of
that story forever and a day."

"I am as much of a victim as you, for I was intensely interested in the
unknown," laughed Cyn; then turning to Mr. Stanwood, she went on. "It
appears telegraph operators have a way of talking together over the
wire, knowing little about each other, and nothing at all of their
mutual personal appearance. In this manner, Nat became acquainted with a
young man whom she knew as 'C,' and grew, to speak mildly, interested in
him--Now, Nat, you know you did--and so, as I remarked previously, did
I--we were introduced over the wire. In fact, he seemed everything that
was nice and agreeable, and if we did not actually fall in love with
him--you see, I am sharing your glory all I can, Nat--it is a wonder."

"If this 'C' knew the impression he made on two young ladies, he would
certainly feel complimented," Mr. Stanwood, who was pla