Omaha daily bee., 1921-01-04
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THE ERROR.
By RUTH LOGAN.
From international Feature Service.

ny NJ II LOOAN.
From international Feature Service.
Millicent Durand opened the huge
box of bon-bons and lifted the card
tenderly in her fingers. On one side
was the correctly engraved name of
Mr.. Hathaway Burton and on the
opposite side were the lines:
"Sweeter than the sweets you'll find
Are thoughts of you that fill my
mind"
For moment the girl stood hold
ing the card, faint smile spreading
itself to the corners of her pretty
mouth. Thin her eyes went slowly
to THOSE oi the man beside her. He,
too, had read the message on the
J back of Mr.. Hathaway Burton's vis-
iting card.
II didn't know you knew Purton-
or fellows like him." There was a
question n his voice and eyes.
"Oh, dear me-" laughed Milicent,
there are lots Of things about me
you don't know"
George Trude crossed the room
and sat down in chair by the win
dow, his interest in the girl having
been. suddenly quickened by the
knowledge that some nther man
found her desirable. George liked
Millicent, but somehow he had al
ways imagined that she wasn't quite
the type of girl who could grasp the
/ reins of his social existence in Just
the manner that would meet with
his mothers approval, and therefore
he had never broached the subject
Of marriage to her. But, if Burton
liked her, there must be mistake in
his reckoning, for Hathaway Bur-
ton was a snob where women were
| concerned. '>
| All men are more or less like
sheep. They follow leader blindly,
especially if that leader happens to
be man of Burton's standing. With
an ejaculation of anger Trude was
again upon his feet and striding
across to the place where Millicent
stood; he took her in his arms. Il
want you, dear. | want you to mar
/ ry me. And I don't ever again want
to hear of Burton's sending you can
dy. That's my privilege and l shall
tell him to confne his admiration
for my promised bride to less OBJ
jectionable expressions"
George, dear, you aren't jealous.
are you'." ,,,,
Aren't you mine! Haven't you
promised to marry me?"
| 81 norror hay 1,nrr k,,,s,,
asked me to marry you-until just
now. and you haven't given me time.
to accept or Decline"
"You don't mean you are going
to refuse me-" He endeavored to
kiss Mellicent's lips. Laughingly
she turned her head
! I'm not sure you want to marry
me. I'm little afraid it's a case Of
dog in the manger."
How absurdl OF course I want
to marry you.'
"The consciousness of the desire
came mighty suddenly, George.
Would you have wanted to marry
me if you hadn't thought l had the
sanction of Hathaway Burton?"
He avoided her eyes. THAT has
nothing to do with it. Will you
marry me?'
"Sit down, George, really don't
know whether shall or not. Ex-
cuse me moment, l have some
telephoning to do"
| George sank nervously into chair
while Mellicent went into the hall
| and sat down at the telephone.
! George could not see that she kept
a forehnger on the hook while she
pretended to call the residence of
Hathaway Burton. He listened to
the conversation.
Hello, Mr.. Burton? This is--but'
no matter. You wouldn't know my
name. A box of candy was left at
my home today by messenger. There
has been some error, / know, and. l
am calling in order that the mistake
may be satisfactorily adjusted with
the little lady who is sweeter than
the sweets you meant for her. No
indeed, I shall not tell you my name.
The candy is lovely. Thanks SO
much. Goodby."
$50 that's it? You don't know
Burtorf at all. didn't think you
did because he's the most discrim-
mating man in town. What was
your game-trying to force my
hand%
"Not at all. Remember, l haven't
said I'd marry you. l hadn't the
slightest intention of doing SO,
either. l just wanted to prove to
you how stupid men really are. You
don't want to marry me. You have
an idea that ! can not cope with
your social world successfully; but
because you admire Mr.. Burton, you
would be willing to marry me to
show him you have the inside track.
Good night, George. and don't come
back" ,.,
George hesitated. won't you
forgive me for the things l said Just
now? l do love you and really
want you to be my wife, lamely.
You'd weary of wife who
wasn't sufficiently clever to attract
men like Mr.. Burton. I'm too proud
to place myself in a position where
your mother can patronize me. This
4 is the end. George"
She watched the door close after
him and then sped to the telephone.
This time she did not hold her fin-
ger on the hook.