The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-01
A SAD MISTAKE.

his friend. Nicholas, Pockley. who re jolced In the glarlng fact that he was an old bachelor past all redemption. "Its quite surprising what a number of most charming girls there are. Well. Baltic. wish you Joy. I'm gre"
 Mir. Baltic rubbed his hafds compla- gently. ts u 4,
 "You sec" said he. "she Is a rose, as one may say. In the full bloom. Is my Myrtilla. just twenty-seven."
 "She looks all of that" said his friend dublously.
 "Envlous dog. thought Baltic to himself as he trotted briskly down the street.
 And thus meditating Mir. Brutus Bal tic turned his steps to the casket that contained his hearts Jewel-in other words. the house where Miss Myrtilla Hopklnson lived.
 The front door was open, and >Nr, Baltic walked complacently in. with the air of man who feels himself thoroughly and entirely at home. and tiptoed up the stairs. er.S At
 Dear girl. I'n give her a surprise. said Mir. Baltic to himself. a s.
 Miss Myrtllla sat at the parlor table, her back toward the door. buslly em- ployed In reading letter, while around her lay scattered pons, Ink and paper and the paraphernalia of epistolary oc- cupatlon .A.A
 "One of my notes" thought the love smitten swain: but while these thoughts passed through his mind q board creak- ed a warning. Miss Hopkinson looked around with little shriek.
 My goodness gracious" cried Myr' tilla. jumping up.
 "I have caught your cried Mir. Bal tic. playfully making a grasp at the note. Knee. a ..r
 But Miss HopkInson eyaded his move ment and thrust the note under a pile of newspapers.
 But us she did SO Mir. Baltic perceiy- ed. to his lnexpresslble surprise and dlsmay. that the billet. although in an unmlstakably masculine hand. was none of his pennlng.
 "Myrtlllar he exclaimed reproach- fully uu.
 "Oh. Brutus. dear. how you startled my poor nerves" cooed Myrtilla. trip ping forward with outstretched hands.
 Before Mir. Baltic could select appro- priatc words In which to demand an explanation from his sweetheart the tcte-a.tete was unfortunately interrupt ed by the entrance of Myrtilla's mar rled sister. Bu; as they parted on the staircase Mir. Baltic said:
 "Myrtilla. when l came this after noon"-
 "Ycs. dear" purred the fair enslaver. you were reading a letter-a letter from a gentleman"
 Mlss HOpklnson colored.
 "Brutus. you surely don't doubt me"
 "wll you let me see the letter%
 "No."
 Mir. Baltic banged out of the house. Miss Hopkinson dissolved Into tears.
 "oh. dear. Oh. dear. Oh, dear" she bewailed herself What shall l doT
 Mir. Baltic went home In q towering passion of Jealous rage and penned . note which would have done no dis credit to any tragedy hero In the land: Pals, one. give you tvsnty-iow hour for an explanation. II at the expintion of that period you still persist In refusing to show me you cland,stine eorrsspondSnee. 1 shal regard our mu- ,,,,l relation. at an end D. n.
 T rather think that will bring her around if anything will" he said to himself. And won't post it either. I'll leave it at the door myself"
 The dusk was only falntly llluminat- ed by here and there the yellow gleam ot an occasional gas lamp when Mir. Baltic stalked up to the residence Of Miss Hopklnson once more. Two hg- ures were at the area gate-a woman aud a man whispering in the twilight.
 "Good! thought Mir. Baltic. Its Bridget and her young man. I'll give my note to Bridget" But as be ap- preached the dread certainty stole over hlm that it was not Bridget and her lover. but Myrtllla and-and-who?
 Stricken. us It were. to stone. he 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.
 "womanw he cried. bouncing forth on the unconscious Miss Myrtilla. "l have detected your maneuvers at last! Quick. give me the packet of letters he handed youl saw him."
 ''I will die sooner" screeched Mss Myrtilla.
 In the conflict the box fell to the ground. Us lid separating itself and rolling away. Something clinked out upon the pavement. Brutus stopped to pick 1t up. It was-a a double set of false teethl
 Myrtilla sank on the area step. hid ing her face in her hands.
 'Is thls allY' said Mir. Baltic.
 AM" echoed Myrtllla. "0h. Brutus, 1 would have perished sooner than let you know!"
 And that-that villain
 Was the dentists young manr' sob bed Miss Hopkinson.
 My Myrtllla! And that rv!eT -- Don't look at me SO. Brutus. It was the dentists bill. And now know you hate me!' se
 "Not at all. dear" said Mir. Baltic. raising his fearful betrothed. Let me