The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-20
An Unregretted
Mistake
BY ALAN HINsDALE

D<H VI CeEIalu DuQCu consisting OF
half dozen girls and as many fellows,
who associated principally with each
other. We made 1t a rule to address
one another by our Christian names.
We were all excellent friends, but 30
far as knew there was nothing lover
like between any couple. II there was
any one Of the girls that was more
drawn to than the others 1t was Edith
Ooverlie. but our intercourse was en-
tireiy friendly and nothing more.
We became scattered In the spring,
some of the girls going to the country
early, some of the fellows going or to
different places to make their start in
q career. remained In the city where
we had been so happily united. One
morning on arriving at my place Of
business / found ON my desk a tele-
gram reading as follows:
Chatsworth. N. Y, June :,
". r. Emerson, Victoria, N. Y:
You are expected by the o'clock train.
Come to Il South Prospect street at D. m
sharp. Barbara has arranged between us
EDITH G.
II ever a fellow was puzzled that
fellow was myself / am Francis Rob
ert Emerson. The signer seemed to
be Edith Cloverlie. and Barbara Stew
art was one Of our social clique. But
what was wanted at Chatsworth for
was more than could imagine.
Chatsworth was but an hours ride
by rail, and / determined to answer
the telegram in person On my arrival
there dined and spent the evening In
the park smoking TIL o'clock, when
/ rang the doorbell at Al South Pros
pect street was received by a maid,
who took my card upstairs and, re-
turning, said that Miss Carter would
be down In few minutes.
Miss Carterl Here was a solution
In nutshell. The telegram had not
been sent by Edith Cloverlie. After
all, a mistake had been made through
coincidence of names. What should
do? Doubtless when the young lady
appeared and met man she had never
seen before an explanation would be
reached.
Miss Carter came down dressed to
60 out. She displayed no surprise at
all on meeting stranger. She was to
me on sight intensely attractive. She
received me cordially and began in
this wise:
Il presume Barbara or. rather. Mr.
Underwood. has explained just what 10
required Of you, and there Is nothing
for me but to do what she requires of
me. have kept her secret, and no
disarrangcment Of her plans win occur
from my having communicated them
to any one. OF course. now that you
are to be one of the actors In this lit
tle"--
Pardon me- l cannot receive Sc
cret under mistake. Before proceed
ing further will you tell me who do
you think l ann"
"Why. Barbara Martins betrothed,
Of course"
"And who is Barbara Martins be-
trothed?"
"Who is her betrothedi Why, Fred
Emerson. Why do you ask these CUES
tionsT
Because there has been a mistake.
I am Frank Emerson, not Fred. This
morning l received a telegram from
one l supposed to be Edith Cloveriie.
1t was doubtless intended for one the
initials Of whose name are the same
as mine. did not understand why
/ was to come here, but came. beg
Of you not to tell me what have no
right to listen TO-"
"oh, my good graciousr'
took out the telegram and explain
ed the coincidence Of names as have
explained it here. But the young
lady's mind was on something else.
This is very unfortunate" she said.
much disturbed. "Mr. Emerson and
1 were expected to do certain things
tonight. A carriage Is to call for as at
half past o. We were to 60 where the
coachman would take US, and
"Can not act in the other fellows
stead?'
''That don't know. have not been
given the details Of this affair. l am
expected to do what shall be told
to do"
'Then 1t would not be wise to intro
duce me as this Fred Emerson. You
are not authorized 10 bring a stranger
into a secret belonging to Others"
"But II we do not appear the whole
affair may collapse"
At this moment maid appeared and
announced to Miss Carter that she was
wanted on the telephone. She left me
for a few minutes and on returning
seemed very much relieved.
Its been postponed" she said ut
came to light late in the afternoon that
this Fred Emerson had not received
my telegram"
"For which am duly thankful"
why do you say thatY'
Because IL he had received it /
would not and should have been de-
prived Of the pleasure Of this inter-
view"
She did not appear at all displeased
at this speech, which she mistook for
mere gallantry. 1t was much more
the case was one Of love at first sight.
But you have had all this journey
for nothing"
my time win hang heavily on my
hands unless you permit me to remain
in your company for the rest Of the
evening"
II shall be pleased to entertain you"
The part Mr.. Fred Emerson had
been expected to play was best man
In q secret marriage. Miss Carter was
to have been the brides attendant.