The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-01-17
An Embarrassing
Mistake
By OSCAR cox

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 that he haunted concerts for
months, hoping that he might meet
her. He did not. But one Sunday
morning, passing cathedral, he con
Guided to go III 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 kneeling, and
her Madonna-like face seemed to glow
In light from heaven.
The next time he saw her he was
very fortunate. He was spinning
through the park III his runabOut. Sud
denly car coming from the opposite
direction swept past him AS by q
lightning fash he caught an instanta-
neous glimpse Of his divine face. AM
old gentleman sat beside 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 go 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
life. Later he saw tie 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 worshiper was be-
side himself with desire TO know, tc
possess, the object Of his alteration.
But he was deferred by conventional1'
ties. There seemed no possible hope
of an Introduction. Might he not act
through her father? 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 ap'
peared at the house where he had seen
his inamOrata alight and rang the bell.
The Madonna girl answered the sum
mons. Ricketts, was taken fat aback.
He stammered query II the gentle
man Of the house were at home. She
said that he was, but seldom saw any
one. II Ricketts, would state his busi-
ness she would see. Ricketts, said that
he wished to see the gentleman upon
private alter which might have i'm
portan suits for both of them and
one o a The girl went away with
the m.ess nd. presently returning,
Invited Rick ) to follow her He did
so In fear and trembling. walking as
though he feared some one might hear
On enter tthe room where the ola
man was 4sicketts 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
terview.
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 If spoken
In q low tone! Ricketts, was not up
to such test If he had had his wits
about him he might have invented
some reason for his call other than the
real one. even If 1t were only that he
had come to sell plasters for a weak
back. But Ricketts, lost his head com.
pletely. He could think Of no substi-
tute for his real object and made a
mess Of the truth.
II have called, SIR" he began, Ito say
to you
Louder, please!'
81 have called, sir, though stranger
to you
II can't hear you; you must raise
your voice"
"Great heavensw exclaimed Ricketts,
mentally. How C"n | prepare him
for what have to Briefness is
terrible in this case. bat | must be
brief" Then he dashed at his an
nouncement as a regiment Of soldiers
would storm a fertilization.
II love your daughter he shouted.
"What?"
II want to marry your daughter
yelled Ricketts,, coming nearer with ev'
cry statement to the object he had In
view.
That is the worst Of saying anything
to deaf persons; 1t Is so hard to make
them hear that one has to cut 1t short.
II haven't any daughter"
Ricketts, started as though mule
had kicked him In the abdomen. His
eyes darted inquiringly at the Madon-
na-like creature who was taking this
all In. Had it not been for his tell
tale eyes she might not have under
stood the situation. AS it was, she did.
"You don't hear right, DEAR" she
said, putting her lips very near the
horn. 1.-The gentleman says he has got
into the wrong house and has apollo
giZed for his mistake"
Ricketts, understood. He had been
asking an old man for his young wife.
Red and white by turns, he arose and
beat a retreat The girl nearer
view of whom indicated woman near
thirty, followed him to the door As
he beWilderingly bowed himself out