The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-07
A BIG BLUNDER.

"The most charming girl in the world"
said Mr.. Baltic cmphaticslly.
"Thst's what all Of 'em ssys." said bis
friend, Nicholas Pecklsy, who rejoicsd in
tho glaring fact that no was an old bach
elor past all redemption. "It's quits sur
prising what . number Of most charming
girls there are. Well, Baltic. wish you
10Y, I'm sure"
Mr.. Baltic rubbed his hands compla-
gently.
"You sec," said no, "she IL a rose. M
ono may say, In tho full bloom, IL my
Myrtilln, just 27."
"She looks all Of that said his friend
obviously.
self as he trotted briskly down the street.
And thus meditatiDg Mr.. Brutus BALTIC
turned his steps to the caskct that con-
tained his hearts jewcl--in other words,
the house whore Miss Myrtilla Hopkinson
lived.
Tho front door was open. so Mr.. Baltic
walked ooJnplaccntly In, with the air Of -
man who feels himself thoroughly and en-
tircly at homo, and tiptoed up the stairs.
Dear girl, Ill give her a SURPRISE"
said Mr.. Baltic to himself.
Miss Myrtilla sat ut the parlor table,
her back toward the door, busily employed
In reading letter, while around her lay
scattered pens ink and paper and the par
aphernalia OF epistolary occupation.
lone of my notes" thought the love
smitton swim, but while these thoughts
passed through his mind board creaked
q warning. Miss Hopkinson looked
around with a little shrek.
"My goodness gracious!" cried Myrtills,
jumping up.
~ have caught you," cried Mr.. Baltic,
playfully making grasp at the note.
But Miss Hopkinson evaded his move
ment and thrust tho note under pile Of
newspapers.
But as she did 30 M. Baltic perceived,
to bis inexprcssible surprise and dismay,
that the billet, although in an unmistaka-
bly, masculine hand, was none Of his pen-
ming.
"NyYtilla" he exclaimed reproachfully.
"Oh, Brutus, dear, how you startled
I my poor nerves" cooed Myrtilla, tripping
forward, with outstretohed hands.
Before Mr.. Baltic could select appropri-
ste words In which to demand an explana-
tion from his sweetheart the tete-a tote
was unfortunately interrupted by the en-
L
az they parted ON the staircase Mr.. Baltic
said:
"Myrtilla, when came this after
| noon"-
Eyes, dear" purred the fair enslaver.
-"you were reading a letter-a letter
from gentleman.
Miss Hopkinson colored.
| "Brutus, you surely don't doubt mel"
"Wiil you let me sec tho letter."
"No."
| Mr.. Baltic banged out Of the house.
| Miss Hopkinson dissolved into tears.
| "Oh, dearl Oh, dsar Oh, dearl' she
bewailed herself. "What shall dor"
| Mr.. Baltic went homo II . towering
passion Of jealous rage and penned note
Whioh would have done no discredit to any
tragedy hero In the land
| Falss one, give you "A hours for IN explana-
ton. II at the expiration Of that period you
still psrsist In refusing to show me your clan
destine corespondence, shau rsgasd ousmu.
| tual relations at IN end b. b. q
"I rather think that will bring her
around, II anything WILL" he said to him.
self. "And Won't post 1t either. I'll
leave IL at the door myself"
The dusk was only family illuminsted
by hore and there the yellow gleam Of an
occasional gas lamp when Mr.. Baltic stalk
| Cd up to the residence Of Miss Hopkinson
onos more. Two figures were at the area
Gate-a woman and man whispering In
the twilight.
"Goodr' thought Mr.. Baltic. "It's
Bridget and her young man. Ill give my
note to Bridget" But as he approached
the dread certainty stole over him that II
was not Bridget and her lover, but Myr.
tilla aand-and-whof
| Stricken, az IL were, to stone, he watched
Myrtilla give the man money. He heard
hurried sentences exchanged. He saw the
villain creep away, Ikea serpent, through
the dusk.
| Now was the moment for action.
"Womanl" he cried, pounoing forth on
the unconscious Miss Myrtilla. 81 have
detected your maneuvers at last! Quick.
| give me the packet Of letters he handed
| you! / saw himp'
| "Iwill die sooner' screeched Miss Myr-
tilla.
| In the conflict the box fell to the ground,
its lid separating itself and rolling away.
Something clinked out upon the pavement.
Brutus stopped to pick it up. 1t was a
double set of false teethl
Myrtilla sank ON the area step, hiding
her faco in her hands.
"Is this alls' said Mr.. Baltic.
| "Alll" echoed Myrtilla. ooh, Brntus,
would have perished sooner than let you
knowp'
"And that-that Villain
| WAS the dentists young man," sobbed
Miss Hopkinson.
| my Myrtilla! And that noteP"
| Don't look at mo SO, Brutus It was
the dentists bill And now know you
hate me''
| "Not at all, DEAR" said Mr.. Baltic,
raising his tearful betrothed. LET me
| whisper you a secret-mine are false too. F"
And so Cupid, the little god Of love,
folded his wings peacefully above the
empty box which had once held Myrtilla