The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-02-21
A SAD MISTAKE

NJ W IN w.
"The most charming girl in the
world" said Mr.. Baltic emphatically.
THAT'S what all of 'em says" said
his friend, Nicholas Pcckley, who re-
joiced in the glazing fact that he was
al old bachelor past all redemption.
Its quite surprising what a number
Of most charming girls there are. Well,
Baltic, I wish you joy, I'm sure"
Mr.. Baltic rubbed his hands compla.
Gently.
/ "You see," said he, "she is a rose, az
n may say, in the full bloom, is my
Myrtilla, just twenty-seven."
T! "She looks all of that" said his
friend obviously.
"Envious dog" thought Baltic to
himself as he trotted briskly down the
street.
And thus meditatlng Mr. Brutus Bal
I tic turned his steps to the casket that
contained his hearts jewel-in other
| words, the house where Miss Myrtilla
Hopkinson lived.
The front door was open, and Mr..
Baltic walked c~omplacently in, with
the air of a man who feels himself
thoroughly and entirely at home, and
tiptoed up the stairs.
"Dear girl, I'll give her a surprise!'
said Mr.. Baltic to himself.
Miss Myrtilla sat at the parlor table,
her back toward the door, busily en-
ployed in reading a letter, while around
her lay scattered pens, ink and paper
and the paraphernalia Of epistolary oc.
cupation.
Zone of my notes." thought the love
smitten swain; but while these thoughts
passed through his mind a board creak-
ed a warning. Miss H%opkinson looked
around with a little shrek.
my goodness gracious" cried Myr-
tilla, Jumping up.
II have caught you" cried MI. Bal
tic, playfully making a grasp at the
note.
But Miss Hopkinson evaded his move
ment and thrust the note under q pile
Of newspapers.
But as she did 80 Mr.. Baltic perceiv-
ed, to his inexpressible surprise and
dismay, that the billet, although in an
Enthusiastically masculine hand, wal
none Of his penning.
"Myrtilla" he exclaimed reproach-
fully.
"Oh, Brutus, dear, how you startled
my poor nerves!" cooed Myrtilla, trip
ping forward with outstretched hands.
Before Mr.. Baltic could select aHpro-
pirate words in which to demand an
explanation from his sweetheart the
tete-a-tete was unfortunately interrupt
ed by the entrance Of Myrtilla's mar
ried sister. But as they parted on the
staircase Mr.. Baltic said:
"Myrtilla, when I came this after
noon
"Yes, DEAR" purred the fair e~nslaver.
you were reading a letter-a letter
from a gentleman"
Miss H%opkinson colored.
"Brutus, you surely don't doubt mev'
evil you let me see the letter."
"No."
Mr.. Baltic banged out Of the house.
Miss Hopkinson dissolved into tears.
ooh. dear! Oh, dear! Oh, dear" she
bewailed herself. "What shall l doT"
Mr.. Baltic went home In a towering
passion Of Jealous rage and penned a
note which would have done no dis
credit to any tragedy hero In the land:
False one, I give you twenty.four hours for an
explanation. II at the expiration Of that period
you still persist in refusing to show me your
clandestine correspondence, l shall regard our mu-
tual relations at an end. b. B.
II rather think that will bring her
around II anything WILL" he said to
himself. "And I won't post 1t either.
I'll leave it at the door myself"
The dusk was only family illuminat-
ed by here and there the yellow CLEAN
Of an occasional gas lamp when Mr..
Baltic stalked up to the residence of
Miss Hopkinson ono more. Two fig
ures were at the area gate-.a woman
and a man whispering In the twilight.
"Goodv thought Mr.. Baltic. "It's
Bridget and her young man. I'll give
my note to Bridget" But as he ap-
preached the dread certainty stole over
him that it was not Bridget and her
lover, but Myrtilla and-and-who?
Stricken, as it were, to stone, he
watched Myrtilla give the man money.
He heard hurried sentences exchanged.
He saw the villain creep away, like a
serpent, through the dusk.
Now vas the moment for action.
"Woman!" he cried, bouncing forth
on the unconscious Miss Myrtilla. II
have detected your maneuvers at last!
Quick, give me the packet of letters he
handed you! l saw him"
81 will die sooner" screeched Miss
Myrtilla.
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 teeth!
Myrtilla sank on the area step, hid.
ing her face in her hands.
us this all?" said Mr.. Baltic.
"All" echoed Myrtilla. "Oh, Brutus
I would have perished soone than lei