Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-11
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
1T WAS ALL A MISTAKE
By Mary Lcuis

tn THE large, old-fashioned sitting
l. "UOm of the Burke homestead sat
Alice with her knitting. She was a
sweet girl Of about twenty with dark
eyes, small nose, . sweet little mouth.
and brown hair Comhed back from her
temples. With a slight yawu She set
aside her knitting aud turned her
thoughts to Harry. Before her came
the image Of her lover, a tail. fair young
man with frank open face. and smile
Just one month since they were en-
gagged. How happy she was when he
was near her. but for the last few
evenings he had excused himself from
coming To see her. saying that it was to
be a great surprise
II was quiet and lonesome in the house
and Alice felt rather restless so she de-
cided to take wall. She walked along
the still road, and her thoughts turned
20 the happiness that was To be hers
very shortly Then She thought of her
brother. who was lighting in France
and felt sorry that he could not come
to her wedding but was happy and
proud that he was doing his bit over
there.
BY this time she was near Harry's
house, aud she saw a light in the garage
and Harry standing on box and APP
pearlng 10 be very much excited. She
also saw that there were n lew strange
men that she had never seen before
standing near him listening to his speech
with great interest.
Wishing to surprise Harry. Alice wcn:
up to the garage. intending to go in, but
she drew back in horror as she heard
Harry rNclaiming at the top of his
lungs, Wen get them, Of course we
will down with the Amercans'"
Alice's head was in a whirl. She did
not wait to hear more, but ran home
painting frantically. AS soon as sh,
reached her home She flung herself upon
her bed and sobbed as If her heart
would hrlDly A. pt4illn she
pulled herself together to decide what
she should do.
OF course she. could not marry q
traitor. she true; patriotic American
girl with her brother fighting for de
Irocracy. All. how terrible were hei
thoughts, Alice pictured the wonderful
days spent with Harry, but now quick,
ly they passed, and then she shuddereo
a. She thought Of what he had said but
half hour ago.
That night Alice slept but little, The
next morning. about 10 O'Clock, Just as
she was giving herself the last Crltica
survey in the mirror, the door bel
rang. The maid answered the door.
Come right in. Mr. Harry" she
said, leading him into the sitting room.
Coming down the hall stairs Alice
heard the voice. She grew pale and
trembled She bore herself to him in q
proud and scornful manner and yet all
the while she loved Harry. But was
he not a traitor? Had she not heard
As she entered the sitting room she
handed him the ring which had hitherto
been her most beloved possession
Here" she said coldly. We must
part"
But -but'-she was gone. She could
not hear what he would say. lie went
out OF the house stunned lie was
astounded He stumbled along the
street. not knowing where he was going.
When he was gone, Alice came down
| with a tearstaincd face. she nollceu
a small white card on the sitting room
| floor. She picked it up and read THE
| kaiser's Doom given by the browning
| College BOYS. starring her friend Harry
| in the role Of the Kaiser. Alice read II
| over about five times. There was ne
| explanation needed. She understood
| She ran TO the telephone and called up
| Harry. He answered the telephone and
heard Alice say, 'Oh, Harry, come right
over. 1t was all mistake.
TomOrrOr'S Complete NOreletic--
IN THE NINTH INNING.