The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-07
ALL A MISTAKE.

"The most charming girl in the worldp'
said Mr.. Baltic emphatically.
That's what all Of 'em says" said his
friend, Nicholas Peckley, who rejoiced in
the glaring fact that he was an old bachelor
past all redemption. "It's quite surpris-
ing what a number of most charming girls
there are Well, Baltic, wish you Joy, I'm
sure"
Mr. Baltic rubbed his hands complacent-
".
"You sec, " said he, "she is rose, as one
may say, in the full bloom, is my Myrtilla,
just "a.
"She looks all of that, said his friend
dubiously.
"Envious dogl" thought Baltic to Nm
self as he trotted briskly down the street.
And thus meditating Mr.. Brutus Bal
tic turned his stops TO the casket that con-
tanned his hearts jewel-in other words,
the house where Miss Myrtilla Hopkinson
lived.
The front door was open, so Mr.. Baltic
walked complacently In with the air of
a man who feels himself thoroughly and
entirely at home and tiptoed up the stairs.
Dear girl, III give her n surprise" said
Mr.. Baltic to himself.
Miss Myrtilla sat at the parlor table, her
back toward the door, busily employed in
reading letter, while around her lay scat
tered pens, ink and paper and the para
phernslia of opistolary occupation.
lone Of my notes, " thought the love
smitten swain. But while these thoughts
passed through his mind board creaked
awarning. Miss Hopkinson looked around
with little shrek.
my goodness graciousr' cried Myrtilla,
jumping up.
II have caught you," cried Mr.. Baltic,
playfully making "A grasp at the note.
But Miss Hopkinson eyaded his move
ment and thrust tho note under pile OF
newspapers
But as she did so Mr.. Baltic perceived,
to his inexpressible surprise and dismay,
that the billet, although In sn unmistak-
able masculine hand, was none of his pen
ming.
'Myrtillal" be exclaimed reproachfully.
"Oh, Brutus, dear, how you startled my
poor nervesr' cooed Myrtilla, tripping
forward, with outstretched hands.
Before Mr.. Baltic could select appro-
pirate words IN which TO demand an ex
PLANTATION from his sweetheart the tete-a-
tete was unfortunately interrupted by the
entrance of Myrtilla's married sister. But
as they parted on the staircase MIR. Baltic
said:
"Myrtilla, when 1 came this after
noon
"Yes, dear, purred the fair enslaver.
You were reading a letter--a letter
from gentleman.
Miss Hopkinson colored.
'sBrutus you surely don't doubt me!'
'Wip you let mo SEQ the letter."
"No."
Mr.. Baltic banged out of the house.
Miss Hopkinson dissolved into tears.
'Oh, dear oh, dearl oh, dearl" she
bewailod herself "What shall dor
Mr. Baltic went home In a towering
passion of jealous rage and penned note
which would have done no discredit TO
any tragedy hero in the land:
False one, give you "a hours for an
explanation If at the expiration of that
period you still persist in refusing to show
me your clandestine correspondence, 1 shall
regard our mutual relations at an end.
"B B."
"I rather t0 pix that will bring her
around If anything will, :" he said TO him
self "And won't post 1t either. I'll
leave IL at the door myself" 4"
The dusk was only family illuminated
by here and there the yellow gleam Of an
occasional gas lamp when Mr.. Baltic
stalkod up to the residence of Miss Hop
kinson once more. Two figures were at
the area gate--a woman and man whis-
pering in the twilight.
Good" thought Mr.. Baltic. Its
Bridget and her young man. I'll give my
note TO Bridget"
But as he approached tho dread certain
ty stole over him that it was not Bridget
and her lover, but Myrttlia and-and-
who2
Stricken, as Il we're, to stone, ho watched
Myrtilla give the man money. He heard
hurried sentences exchanged. He saw the
villain creep away, like serpent, through
the dusk.
Now was the moment for action.
"womanp' ho cried, pounoing forth OF
the unconscious Miss Myrtilla. Il have
detected your maneuvers nt losti Quick,
give me tho packet of letters no handed
you'll / saw him"
"I will die sooncrl" scrcechcd Miss Myr-
tilla.
In the conflict the box fell TO the ground,
its lid separating itself and rolling away.
Something clInked 0ut upon the pave
ment. Brutus stopped 60 pick 1t up 1t
was n double set OF false toethl
Myrtllla sank on tho area step, hiding
her face in her hands.
"Is this allY" sald Mr.. Baltic.
"Allp' echoed Myrtilla. "Ch, Brutus,
would have pcrishod sooner than let you
know"
"And that--that villain
"Was tho dentists young man" sobbcd
Miss Hopkinson.
"My Myrtillal And that notop
Don't look nc mo 60, Brutus. 10 was
tho dentists bill. And now I know you
hate mel
Not nc all, dear" said Mr. Baltic, rails
inc his fearful bcirothcd. Let me whis-
per you n secret--mine are false too.
And so Cupid, the little god Of love,
folded his wings peacefully above the
empty box which had once held Myrtilla
Hopkinson's complotc set Of "uppcrs and
lowers. "-BOsion Clohe