The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1919-09-25
CAPITAL BLUNDERS
By BERNICE CONE.

Mazda Lane, teacher at Primary NO
5, shrugged into her yellow sweater
and went out, locking the door of the
empty school house after her. She had
always loved yellow. 1t was, she said,
| the color of spring sunshine and daifo-
| Ills. Unfortunately it was also the coll
or of slip of paper that rustled hate
| fully in the sweater pocket as she
walked-a telegram from Phil Drew.
Due in New York Monday, 10 a. IN.
Bride with me-" 1t announced cheer
| fully.
Bride with me" had resolved itself
nto a maddening refrain. Everything
hat she did kept time to IT.
The road from the SchoOlhOuSe to her
home was an unfrequented one. A
little way down it stood a great red
oak tree. Bob was waiting there as
usual. Quite suddenly Mazda threw
her arms around his neck and sur
prised herself by sohbing her heart out
against his tan coat. "WOof!" said
the collie huskily; "Woof."
"The worst Of 1t is Bob" said the
girl, sitting up at length, 81 haven't
the right to feel this way, even. Just
because you've gone with a fellow all
through high school doesn't make you
engaged to him. And if he enlistS and
goes across the water, and you knit
for him, and pray for him, and write
10 him. and he writes to you, and you
send him candy and cigarettes and
things, and he sends you souvenirs.
and-and-why. you haven't any call
to resent 1t If he gets married. have
you? And there's no reason at all why
you should get bitter over it,"
"And, Bob" continued the dogs mis-
tress earnestly, "if you've so far for
gotten your human nature as to be too
frankly happy when the letters came,
and too openly puffed up over the SOU
venirs, why, then, you must eXpeS
Brookville to smile a little, and pry a
little, and pity you some when you
receive a telegram like this.
$50 we'll be awfully nice to Mr.. and
Mrs. Philip Drew, but not too nice, or
BroOkville will know how we iceland
that's one thing. Bob: Brookville may
guess that we feel badly, but it's never
going to know absolutely certain, sure
Come on, boy; let's be happy! Race
you"
With a brave little attempt at laugh
ter from Mazda and a joyous bark from
Bob they were off.
On Monday afternoon, as the teacher
OF No. again reached for her yellow
sweater, shadow fell across the
sChoolhouse floor. She looked up
quickly. Phil Drew's six feet filled the
door frame. The sunlight back Of him
gave to his figure the illusion of a
statue done in bronze. Maida's heart
began to beat glad welcome that was
as quickly drowned in the refrain,
bride with me-"
She held out her hand formally.
"Phil Drew she exclaimed, with a
smile and what she considered the
proper amount Of polite interest I'm
so glad to see you back again"
The bronze statue blinked in amazed
chagrin. didn't you get my telegram
It demanded.
"Of course. It was so thoughtful
Of you to let me know Just when you
we're coming. l want to congratulate
you" she continued sweetly. ut will
give me a great deal of pleasure TO
meet Mrs. Drew"
"Huh?" inquired the bronze one. too
dazed for elegance Of speech.
"Tm looking forward to meeting Mrs.
Drew" Mazda repeated, slightly puz-
lied in her turn. "Your-your telegram
said"
"That we were due at ten" inter
rupted Phil. 81 hoped you'd meet me"
"Why-" she faltered. IT didn't
link you would want me TO-"
Phil frowned. "Look here. Mazda"
L. protested, II don't know what you're
driving at, but you don't seem over
Ioyed to see me, that's sure. If there's
someone else, why don't you say so,
md not"
"No," said Mazda with the tragic |
inality Of eighteen, "there will never |
Do anyone else for me-"
Lieutenant Philip Drew seized hun
yrily upon this assurance, and would |
nave seized hungrily upon MAZDA, but |
hat lady Indignantly pushed him |
AWAY. Her eyes blazed angrily, but |
here was hint of tears in her voice.
I think you're the funny one" she
said, thrusting the telegram into his
hands, "to send me this, and then come
lere and pretend"
''Ha, hap vociferated Lieutenant
Phil, when he read the message. THAT'S
with. Say, grille. did
Tou honestly think-why that's Tom
know. wrote you about
lin, my buddy-he's over at the house
low; came home with me-best fellow
hat ever lived. Just q little mistake
n capital, that's all. Bride with
10, sweetheart, had to come home to
'et one Of those"
1870 Hrur,,,-