The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-09-06
An Embarrassing
Mistake
By OSCAR cox

klchtlts HISI saw ntT Ut un tNtlilhS
concert She was listening TO the soft
strains OF sonata. There was drcaml-
ness IL her pose. Her eyes seemed to
be looking at heavenly visions. Wheth-
or or not she was beautiful. she was
certainly spiritual.
After that he haunted concerts for
months hoping that he might meet |
her. lie did not. But one Sunday
morning passing II cathedral, he con
Guided to 90 IN for the service. His
entrance vas at the moment OF the
elevation OF the host. All was silent
then the three soft strokes intended e.
concentrate the minds Of the congrc-
cation upon the solemn service. On
the other side Of the church was the
Girl he sought. She was knccling, and
her Madonna like face seemed to glow
In light from heaven.
The next time he saw her he was
very fortunate. lie was spinning
through the park In his runabout sud
denly u car coming from the opposite
direction swept past him. As by a
lightning fash he caught an instanta-
neous glimpse Of his divine face. An
| Cd gentleman sat beside her. and she
was looking at him with the tender
ness Of daughter who idollzed 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 go for
ward and back several times before
| he could get around. He succeeded
| Larely 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
life. Later he saw the car he followed
| pull up before handsome stone front
| residence. The girl helped out the
old man and supported him into the
house Ricketts, noted the number and
drove on.
BY this time the worshlper was be-
side himself with desire 10 know to
possess, the object Of his alteration.
But he was deferred by Conventional
ties. There seemed no possible hope
Of an introduction. Might he not oct
through her fatherf He could call at
the house, ask for the old man. tell him
that he had seen his daughter and de-
sired TO know her.
Urged on by impatient love, he adopt
ed this plan. one afternoon he ar-
peared ut the house where he had seen
his inamorata alicht and rang the bell.
The Madonna girl answered the sum
, mons Ricketts, was taken Hat aGack.
He stammered query IL the gentle
man Of the house were at home. She
| said that he was. bur seldom saw any
one IL Ricketts, would state his busi-
F.. ness she would see. Ricketts, said that
he wished TO see the gentleman upon a
private matter which might have Inn
portant results for both Of them and
one other The girl went away with
the message and, presently returning,
invited Ricketts, 10 follow her. He did
SO In fear and trembling. walking as
though he feared some one might hear
his step.
On entering the room where the old
man was Ricketts, saw him In an easy
chair. propped up with pillows. The
girl handed him an ear trumpet; then,
instead Of leaving the two together,
she stood near her father, ready TO
minister TO him during the coming In
tervleY.
An old man with an ear trumpet,
into which Ricketts, must shout his re
quest for one who was present and
could hear every word even II spoken
9 L.. Dt.aE an
TO such test. II he had had his wits
about him he might have Invented
some reason for his call other than the
real one, even II It were only that he
had come TO sell plasters for weak
back. But Ricketts, lost his head COM
pletely He could think of no substl-
tute for his real object and made a
mess OF the truth.
Il have called. sir" he began, ito say
to you
Louder. please
II have called, sir, though stranger
TO you
81 can't hear you; you must raise
\ your voice
Great heavens" exclaimed Ricketts,
mentally "How can l prepare him
for what | have TO sayG Briefness is
terrible IN this case. but | must be
brief" Then he dashed at his an
nouncement as regiment Of soldiers
' would storm u fertilization.
II love your daughter" he shouted.
"What?"
II want TO marry your daughter"
yelled Ricketts,, coming nearer with ey-
cry statement TO the object he had In
/ view.
That is the worst of saying anything
! to deaf persons: II Is so hard TO make
| them hear that one has TO cut II short