The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-03-25
JACKS BLUNDER
BY MABEL RICH.

The big whistle of the Superior shoe
factory was shrieking. 1t was just five
o'clock-quitting time for Jack Hor-
ton and hundreds of others employed
by the Superior Shoe company. 1t
did not take Jack long to wash up, and
1T is not to be wondered at when one
knows the picture Jack had in mind
a cozy little dining o with a steam
ing hot dinner on the table-prepared
by a pretty young bride of two months.
For anyone else it was about a five
minute walk from the car line to
Jacks house, but he usually made it
in two. AS he was about to enter his
gate his next-door n%eighbor, Harry
Benson, came along. "llcllo. Jack"
he said, 'home early, aren't you?
Well, | don't blame you much. by the
way, Jack, who WAS that g%ood-looking
chap that drove up with your wife in
a roadster this afternoon? And. say.
jack" Harry lowered his voice. Don't
think | am butting in, but l
think you ought to know when your
wife left him she kissed him." With
that, Harry made off down the street.
Jack was ustnunded! Before he
came to his senses Harry was too far
away to question further. 1t didn't
seem possible. lie tried to think of
some one who might be related. but
he knew well enough that there were
no brothers or cousins with autos. He
started to go into the house. then
turned back. AS he did so he caught
sight of the imprints Of ute tires in
the soft dirt beside the curhStone. SO
it was true. then! His precious little
wife had been II riding With an
other man. And she had kissed him!
The thought sem Il pang like Il knife
through his heart. Then he became
angry. $50. that's her game, is il?"
he muttcred to himself. "Wcll, I'll
show her two can play at the same
game" And so saying, he went down
the street.
dinner. Jack found his way into IL
small restaurant on Il side street, and
ordered all the appealing things he
could think Of, but when he tried to
eat it fairly made him sick. for he
could no forget that cozy little dining
room-and Betty. Again he became
angry. Without eating Il thing he
paid his check and went out. leaving
behind a bewildcred waiter. Upon
reaching the street Jack lighted Il
cigarette and wondered what to du
next. AS he was pondrring upon the
question he caught sight of pretty
Mary Russell coming up the street
Now he knew what to do. He had
taken her to dances before he was
married, and he would take her to one
this very night.
AS she approached, Jack spoke
"Good evening, Mary; how" but he
didn't finish. She had brushed past
him without even noticing him. Then
for the first time, Jack realized some
thing-he had on his shabby working
why SHE had not w recognized him
With a disguised shrug of his Shoul
ders he went on, and presently fount
himself seated in Il small picture thea
ter but, as for knowing what was OF
the picture screen, Jack might as wei
have been at Il ball game. At las
he could stand it no longer. His mine
was made up now. He would e
straight home and have it II will
Betty at once. SO, scrambling out o
his seat. he found his way to tin
street. and it was not long before HI
found himself in sight of his house
and to his amaZemcnt he could Sc,
that the house vas all lighted UP
"What does it all mean?' he asked
himself. for he knew well enough tina
they never used II more electricit,
than was necessary. for they were try
ing t. keep down the ii. G. of l.. q!
much as possible.
AS Jack entered the hall he heart
a little feminine sob, and then tin
comforting words Of another feminine
voice: "There, my dear; don't CT!
any morc-he has probably been de
tanned at the factory on business 0
some sort" And then lie heard Bet
tvs voice say: perhaps so, but III
never stayed away like this before.
Jack rushed in, but stopped as quick
ly. for right before him stood his wifi
and another lady, the perfect image
Of Betty. In fact, Jack could hardl!
tell one from the other: "Oh, Jack !!
cried Betty. rushing forward an
throwing her arms around his neck
"Where have you been all this time
I was wishing you would come hom'
early tonight, as sister Grace has
just come this afternoon. Her hubb!
drove her here and left her, as III
had to come through here on business
and Is going to call for her tomorrow
or mex day. You know, she lives il
New York, and l haven't seen her il
ages" Here Betty had to stop II
catch her breath. The words strucl
Jack like n thunderbolt, and he col
lapsed into the nearest chair. Now IN
knew that he had b%lundered. and OF