The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-09-09
JERRY'S
MISTAKE
BY VICTOR REDCLIFFE

weeks stay IN the city quite the non
Of the hour among his juvenile ac-
qualntances, until the first glamour Of
his embellished narrative of wonders
seen and participated In had somewhat
worn away. His relatives, the Nor
tons, had given him good time In
deed. They had a fine home, ample
means and Myrtle, daughter, who,
pleasant and sympathetic, had put her
self out to see that Jerry was engaged
In a constant round of metropolitan
sight seeing.
Little did the artless, well-meanlng
lad realize that he had unconsClouSly
rewarded all the kindness and indul-
gence of his pretty cousin with care
less act that brought the darkest cloud
of her life to her. She was particu-
larly happy one memorable morning,
for she had received a written invita-.
ton from Gerald Steele to afford him
the pleasure and honor Of her com
pany to an entertainment the following
week.
Myrtle's beautiful eyes had beamed
as she scanned the little note. lie
was her ideal of gentleman, young,
handsome, intelligent, and the deli
cacy Of his attentions charmed her
quite. Forthwith Myrtle indited
reply and started down the stairs for
her room intent upon throwing on
light wrap and mailing It, Fate al
tered her intentions, however, as she
noticed Jerry in the front hall, pack
ing into their box pair Of roller
skates with which she had presented
him that morning.
"Would you mind posting my letter
for me, jerry" she asked.
"Oh, sure! Cousin Myrtle" replied
Jerry with alacrity, ard do just any
thing for you. Where is the post of
flceW
ooh, you don't have to 60 there" eX-
planned Myrtle. you know there Is
letter box at the corner"
as there| queried Jerry.
Jerry set forth at once and Myrtle
tripped up to her room again, hum
ming a happy air, in love with all
the world and tenderly wondering If
the sender of the invitation would be
as pleased as she was to reply TO 1t.
Jerry left for his native village ut
noon. Myrtle wandered about restless
~ counting the hours, because she felt
sure that Gerald Steele would call
Friday evening, his usual occasion for
coming around to spend the evening.
LET me see" Myrtle whispered to
herself, "he will receive the note to-
morrow morning. Then there's only
that day, and the next shall see him.
And he has selected an opera | once
told him was my f0vorlte. SO he
must think over and remember what
say, and ! suppose thinks of me, too,
once in a while"
Myrtle fitted away, flushing raptur-
ously as a fugitive from the telltale
thought, and laughed outright at the
trivial deception she was playing on
herself.
Gerald Steele did not put in an ap-
pearance Friday evening and thence
until the following Tuesday was pc
Rod of gloom and unhappiness for
Myrtle. The evening Of the engage
ment arrived, and while Myrtle did
not allude to 1t before her parents, she
had everything In her room ready for
quick dressing when Gerald should ar
rive. At seven O'Clock she was in a
fever of suspense. At eight her last
hope faded away. BY nine she was
In bed, her face turned to the wall
and crying as If her heart would
! break.
Then dreary two weeks, during
which time not a word was received
from "the recreant lover" Myrtle
| felt all the sorrOwfuness Of neglect
and desertlou. She could only CON
slider that Gerald had no further de-
sire for her company Once In a
while the pride and dlsdain Of her ma
ture came TO the surface, and briefly
she would resent the direct atfront she
| had suffered, but her sensitive, ten
der heart would melt into a sense Of
forlornness as she realized how much
Gerald Steele had been to her.
For single hour, amid a sudden eX-
citement and turmoil, Myrtle forgot
her sorrows. An adjoining house
caught fire and the Morton house was
very nearly included in the blaze, AS
II was, smoke and water somewhat
damaged the latter residence, and
Myrtle was directing the servants in
removing the traces Of the occasion,
when she stepped out upon the porch
To fasten up n favOrltc lowering vine
that the frcmen had torn down.
She had never looked more charm
Ing than at that moment her golden
hair peeplng out from the mob cap,
her dress daintily pinned up, her face
flushed with the animation of the mo-
ment.
Miss Norton" spoke an altogether
unexpected voice, and there stood Ger
aid Steele, smiling, a certain eager eX-
pectancy in his face. The bewildered
Myrtle could not understand
Just received It." he continued, and
he extended the envelope. ut was
found In the fire alarm box, and they
guessed that some inexperienced hand
had placed It there instead Of IN the
mall box. Even nj this late date 1t
must explain our mutual silence"
Jerry" uttered Myrtle, and wa
yered so that Gerald felt II necessary
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