Nathalie Rogers

Cyn

Cyn and Nathalie share a deep, intimate bond with strong romantic undertones, often communicating with intense emotional closeness.

Quimby

Nathalie and Quimby are close friends who frequently interact, with Quimby often serving as a confidant and source of support.

Clem

Clem is a loyal and caring friend to Nathalie, offering companionship and emotional support.

Mr. C.

Mr. C. is a persistent suitor of Nathalie, displaying romantic interest that is often met with ambivalence or resistance.

Mr. Stanwood

Mr. Stanwood is a colleague or superior to Nathalie, with interactions centered around work or professional matters.

Jo Norton

Jo Norton is a friend of Nathalie, sharing a warm and supportive relationship.

Em

Em is a close friend of Nathalie, often providing emotional support and companionship.

Mrs. Quimby

Mrs. Quimby is likely a maternal figure or close relative to Nathalie, showing care and concern.

Cyn

Cyn and Nathalie share a deep, intimate bond with strong romantic undertones, often communicating with intense emotional closeness.

Quimby

Nathalie and Quimby are close friends who frequently interact, with Quimby often serving as a confidant and source of support.

Cyn

Cyn and Nathalie share a deep, intimate bond with strong romantic undertones, often communicating with intense emotional closeness.

Mr. C.

Mr. C. is a persistent suitor of Nathalie, displaying romantic interest that is often met with ambivalence or resistance.

Wired Love

Introduced as a telegraph operator; she engages in flirtatious and meaningful conversations with C over the wire, showing her independent and romantic nature.

I: Sounds from a Distant "C"

The protagonist and telegraph operator at office B m; she is impatient, proud of her skills, and easily flustered by interruptions and the fast sender at X n.

II: At the Hotel Norman

Telegraph operator living in two worlds; ponders the sex of C and dreams of becoming an authoress; chooses independence over dependence.

III: Visible and Invisible Friends

Nattie eagerly engages with C over the wire, arrives early and stays late at the office, and receives a visit from Quimby and Miss Archer.

Neighborly Calls

Visits Miss Archer, discusses C and telegraphy, receives a teasing sketch from Cyn and Mr. Norton.

V: Quimby Bursts Forth in Eloquence

Nattie is the object of Quimby's affections and skillfully evades his declarations using humor, excuses, and the telegraph. She enjoys her conversations with C and is becoming aware of Quimby's feelings.

VI: Collapse of the Romance

Nattie is the central point of view; she experiences loneliness when C is away and then profound disillusionment when C reveals himself as a coarse, vulgar man.

Goodbye

Devastated after meeting C in person, she tears up the Cupid sketch and confides in Cyn. She struggles with her feelings of disgust and loss, and eventually rebuffs C's attempts at reconciliation, saying a final goodbye.

VIII: The Feast

Feels ambitious and discontented; plans and helps cook the feast with Cyn; has a sharp encounter with a young man at the telegraph office.

IX: Unexpected Visitors

Embarrassed by the unexpected visitors and the ruined feast; mortified when the story of C is retold.

X: The Broken Circuit Reunited

Discovers that Clem is the real C; experiences shock, confusion, and joy.

XI: Miss Kling Telegraphically Baffled

Nattie feels that Clem, while fulfilling her expectations of C, is not exactly what C was to her; she is timid in his presence and jealous of Cyn's share of his attention.

XII: Crosses on the Line

Becomes deeply discontented and jealous after Cyn's concert; realizes she loves Clem but believes he loves Cyn, leading her to avoid him.

XIII: The Wrong Woman

Nattie hides in Cyn's bedroom and witnesses Quimby's mistaken proposal to Celeste, feeling remorse for her role in the confusion.

XIV: Quimby Accepts the Situation

Feels remorse for being the unwitting cause of Quimby's mistake; gently rejects his proposal, affirming only friendship.

XV: One Summer Day

Congratulates Cyn genuinely; speaks privately with Clem to clarify her recent coldness.

XVI: O. K.

Nattie is confronted by Cyn about Clem, admits she did not want Cyn and Clem to be together, and later affirms her love for Clem by tapping 'O. K.'