Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-24
TOMS BLUNDER.

to say, he was generally accredited
with having less sense than his fel.
low men. Certainly he had abilities
of a fair order, but they were not Of
the kind adapted to carry him through
the ordinary affairs Of life without
some blunder here and there.
Tom fell in love. Not that this might
be considered as the natural result Of
his affllction, but 1t led him to the
blunder here recorded.
When Tom first met Miss Amanda
Smith he was acting as private secre.
tary to a wealthy, retired senator. Just
about the time Toms heart babe him
unburden himself at the feet of Miss
Amanda, his employer went abroad,
taking his secretary with him. Why
he did not propose to her by letter, I
do not know; nor was 1t any of my
business; I record simply the facts.
A year passed by before Toms EN-.
ployer was disposed to return, and
then his return was unexpected, else
Tom would hardly have had the
chance to make this blunder.
1t was beautiful May morning. A.
ter good nights rest, Tom had stroll.
ed down town to attend to some bust.
ness, In order that his mind might be
freed from all cares, preliminary to
a call upon Miss Smith. Toward noon,
his business completed, he entered a
fashionable cafe, which was to him,
replete with memories Of happy visits.
in company with her for whom he had
been langulshlng a whole year. The
seat he took gave him a position
whence he might admire his own at.
fractions In full length of French
plate. and also observe the other
guests.
Before he was half through lunch,
the mirror made known to him thu
presence Of very striking couple. She
was young, beautiful and-Miss Aman.
da Smith! He-well, Tom did not
know him. but observed, with pallng
cheek that the two were very much
devoted to each other. Finally he no.
tlced a startling fact. Miss Smith,
with feminine care, was just In the act
of passing beautiful white hand
over her tresses. Tom watched 1t, In
all the fascination Of a lover: until
suddenly his heart began to sink. On
the third finger of Miss Smiths left
hand was wedding ring!
"Great Scott, she's married." poor
Tom moaned. The next minute he was
of like a shot.
| knew nothing of all this until
some time after; in fact, not until
received a letter from Tom, in which
he upbraded me for a lack of friendly
interest In not having acquainted him
with the news of Miss Smiths mar
riage. He detailed the scene in the
cafe, and told me that his life was
ruined; that he never cared to return
again to his native town. He was
now holding good position in New
York, and would stay there.
I was little perplexed by this turn
of events, yet correctly guessed the
affair to he complicated by his stupid
lty. resolved to see Miss Smith. and.
If possible ferret out the mystery. Ac.
cordingly, one fine afternoon. I called
upon her in the hope that circum.
stances would bring about some solu.
ticn Of TOMS troubles.
The first thing observed, when we
were seated for chat was her left
hand. Neither there. ncr on tho other
hand could | soc anytime IN appear-
ance approaching n wn1'ing ring.
resolved unon . hold cynodiort.
~ miss the plain gold ring you some
tmcs wear" sad.
"CN. yes" vas Ne" "op'y. "Eycuse
rTN e." moment 'nd 7 will get It.
w. % IS a very sad s-aay connected
with II"
She returned shortly. and handed
II me what v's Enthusiastically a wed.
Hing ring, While I was examining Il
she related to me the story of dear
cousin, who, after wearing It one short
yea. had died in far OF India.
"hut Miss Smith" I asked, with
FhH frcedom Of n friend. "are you not
afraid to wear this in such way thar
I might mislead people,"
~ never do" she rNnlied "Indeed.
make It point of wearing 1t always
On my right hand"
This was all the more pcrplexrg. I
Knew her to be precise and careful; [
NEW Tom was not srch fool that
10 could not tell the right hand from
hN left 1t was certainly strange. and
or few minutes we dropped the mat.
or. At last. an idea having struck
ne. asked Miss Smith to put the ring
where she usually wore ton the
bird finger Of the right hand. Then
gently turned her to a mirror. held
W her arm. and asked what the mir.
or said. Astonishment spread over
Ter fact as she looked.
"Why, 1t seems to be on my left
land. ! never thought Of that"
did not explain to her the reason
4 my interest, but that night l sat
lown and wrote long letter to Tom,
alling him some choice names, and