The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-08-21
An Embarrassing
Mistake
BY OSCAR cox

Ricketts, first saw her at an evening
concert. She was listening to the soft
strains of sonata. There was dreami-
ness in her pose. Her eyes seemed TO
be looking at heavenly visions. Wheth-
er or not she was beautiful, she was
certainly spiritual.
After thai he haunted concerts for
months, hoping that he might meet
her. He did not. But one Sunday
morning. passing cathedral, he con-
cluded to go In for the service. His
entrance was at the moment of the
elevation Of the host. All was silent:
then the three soft strokes intended to
concentrate the minds of the congre-
CATION upon the solemn service On
the other side Of the church was the
girl he sought. She was kneeiing, and
her Madonna-like face seemed to glow
In light frsm heaven.
The next time he saw her be was
very fortunate. He was spinning
through the park In bis runabout. Sud
denly car coming from the opposite
lightning fash he caught an instanta-
neous glimpse Of his divine face. An
old gentleman sat beaide her, and she
was looking at him with the tender
ness of daughter who idolized him.
Ricketts, pulled UP so suddenly that
he nearly went through the glass wind
shield, then turned. The road was
narrow, and he was obliged to 60 for
ward and back several times before
he could get around. He succeeded
barely In time to see the object that
held him In thrall carried around a
corner. He went around that corner
on two wheels and at the risk of his |
lie. Later he saw the car he followed |
pull up before handsome stone front |
residence. The girl helped out the |
Did man and supported him into the
house. Ricketts, noted the number and
irove on.
BY this time the worshiper was be-
'ide himself with desire to know, to
possess, the object of his alteration.
But he was deferred by conventional
les. There seemed no possible hope
Il a. introduction. Might he not act
through her father? He could call at
he house, ask for the old man, tell him
hat he had seen his daughter and de
ired to know her.
Urged on by impatient love, he adopt
a a. he |
cared at the house where be had seen
Is tnamorata alight and rang the bell.
he Madonna girl answered the sum-
hons. Ricketts, was taken fat aback.
lie stammered n query If the gentle
ian of the house were at home. She
aid that be was, but seldom saw any
ne. II Ricketts, would state his bust
ess she would see. Ricketts, said that
e wished 10 see the gentleman upon
rivate matter which might have i'm
ortant results for both of them and
ne other. The girl went away with
lie message and, presently returning,
Ivited Ricketts, to follow her. He did
!, in fear and trembling, walking as
lough he feared some one might hear =
IS step.
On entering the room where the old /,
an was Ricketts, saw him in an easy /
lair. propped up with pillows. The
RI handed him en- ear trumpet; then, |
stead Of leaving the two together,
e stood near her father, ready TO /
mister to him during the coming In /
rview. /
An old man with an ear trumpet. /
10 which Ricketts, must shout bis re
lest for one who was present and
uid hear every word even II spoken
a low tone. Ricketts, was not NJ (
such a test. II be had had his wits
out him be might have invented
me reason FOR his cali other than the
n one. evea II IL were only that be
d come 20 sell plasters for weak
ek. But Ricketts, lost HIS head com
.tely. lie could think 81 no substi-
.e Tor his real object and made q
IS Of the truth.
I have called, SIR be began. TO say