The Tupelo journal., 1917-02-23
An Error Brings
an Error
By MARYLAND MALTBEE

Alan Forbes had been engaged to
Jennie Hatch for more than a year.
and, since his salary was not sufficient
to warrant marriage and his prospects
OF a raise were poor, the two reluc-
family determined to give up each 9TH
er. calling their engagement of.
Jennie had an aunt, an old woman.
who lived alone. She was very poor
At least she was supposed to be-and
Jennie devoted a great deal Of time to
her, the old lady being very feeble.
About the time that Alan and Jennie
decided there was no hope for them
the aunt grew worse and died sud-
denly. On her deathbed she told Jen-
ME that she would find in a crevice in
the chimney enough money to bury
her and what was left over would be
hers.
The day after the funeral Alan re-
ceived a note from Jennie asking him
to meet her at the aunt's house. She
had a surprise for him. Alan went to
the house at the time mentioned and
found no one there. On a table was a
little pass book showing deposits Of
some $4,000. The book bore a num-
Der, but not a name.
In turning over the leaves Of the
book a bit Of paper fell out of it.
Alan saw the words Dearest Jennie
written in a mans hand. Yielding to
a desire to know who was thus adj
dressing the girl he loved in such en-
dearing terms, he overcame his scru-
pies against reading what had been
written. The writer, who signed him.
self Dick, broke with Dearest Jennie
on account of a story he had heard re-
hecting on her good name.
Here was a terrible revelation. Alan,
not wishing to see Jennie again until
he had made up his mind what action
to take with regard to her, went away.
leaving the book and the note just as
he had found them.
Now, Jennie just before her lovers
entrance had gone upstairs and was
busying herself putting the house to
rights. for it was hers as well as the
deposits recorded in the pass book
which she had found in the chimney.
She had laid the book ON the table to
show Alan when he came, but a will
she had also found site had put in a
desk.
When Alan came in Jennie did not
hear him, nor was she aware of his
going. Noticing that the time she had
asked him to come had passed, she
concluded to go downstairs and wait
for him there. She waited an hour.
and, since he had not come, she sur
missed that he had 0 received her
note. She was greatly disappointed.
for she had counted ON showing him
her inheritance.
Since Alan did not put in an appear
ance, Jennie sent to his home to learn
the reason. She was told that he had
gone out about the hour she had *
pected him and had not returned, nor
did he return that day or the next or
at all.
His disappearance at a time when
their marriage was not only possible,
but the ~wherewithal for their future
comfort had been provided, was a ter
rible blow to her. Moreover. it was a
| mystery. Had Alan been spirited
| away, or had he been killed? There
was no answer.
Jennie concluded to live alone in the
house she had inherited. She had
faith that some day Alan would come
back to her, and she would receive
him in the home that had been provid-
ed for them. But year after year pass
| ed. and he did not come.
One day an old man came to the
house and asked for Jane Hatch. Jen-
ME told him that Jane Hatch had been
! dead several years. He appeared to
be very much cast down. Jennie in
formed him that she was Jane Hatch's
niece and had been named for her
aunt. At this the man opened his heart
to her. telling her that he had been
betrothed to her aunt in their youth
and had wronged her, having listened
to a story to her injury.
Meanwhile Jennie on taking the
pass book to the bank had discovered
| the note that had driven Alan away,
though it had not occurred to her that
it was the cause Of his going. She now
produced the note and returned 1t to
the visitor. This led to her telling him
the story of her own bereavement.
What had not occurred to her occurred
to her visitor. He suggested to her
that Alan had come into the house
while she was upstairs, found the note
in the pass book and. s%upposing that
it was for the living instead of the
dead Jennie. had taken himself away.
"My mistake" he said. has embit-
tered the lives of two generations.
This paper shall do no more harm
And he ethrew it into the fire. Then
he added: Il have brought this trouble
upon you. | will make it my business
to find Your lover. If he is alive !
Will return him to you"
The stranger began a systematic
course Of advertising for Alan Forbes.
and at last one of the notices reached