Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-04-14
CROSSED WIRES
BY CORONA REMINGTON.

90 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.D
No one had ever loved as deeply
rs those two-James Wilcox and
Constance Helmson. They looked
into each others eyes In rapture and
for the fortieth time that evening
made the same remark--with slight va
riatons.
NO one. dearest; no one on earth
has ever felt II as we have" he told
her. I'm sure we have not only
known each other all our lives, but
from the beginning OF time-clear back
10 the first day"
"And IL shall be this way 10 the
end of time," she sighed softly into
his ear.
After long and tender parting kiss
almost sad because II was the last, he
left her. never 10 return, they both
knew-until the morrow.
And thus the days sped by and were
as minutes TO the adoring couple who
were totally unconscious of the world
about them. At last one bright Sunday
in June Constance said casually:
Jimmy, darling, my sister Aggie,
the one you've never seen, came home
from college last night. She's out now,
but ! want you TO stay to dinner and
meet her."
"Sure I WILL" he replied. "But what
do / care about sister Aggie? She'll
only try to monopolze my very own
est" He kissed her again.
Later they were summoned 10 the
dining room and James was introduced
to Aggie. He took his eyes off Con-
stance long enough to glance ut the
newcomer while being presented when
suddenly his knees shook beneath him
and he thanked heaven when he was
safely seated. Aggie was exactly like
Constance-only more so, and she had
q good many things Constance lacked
too. Constance's eyes were wonder
full. Aggies more wonderful. Con
stances nose was pretty, Aggie's beau.
tiful; and SO it went.
When he awakened from the first
shock a feeling of unspeakable re-
morse came over him. AS soon as he
decently could he got away. mumbling
some excuse about a business engage
ment.
turned it was Aggie's picture that kept
smiling at him in the darkness and
not Constance's. In panic he would
close his eyes TO try to shut out the
vision, but always it was there. And
the next day he was TO bring Con-
stance over TO take dinner with his
family She would be sure to notice
the change in hm-the whole world
would see-yet 1t was impossible to
get out of II.
At dinner the following evening
after he had introduced his father and
brother TO Constance, his mother hav-
ing already met her. he broke the news
of the business trip.
Harry, you'll have to entertain
COMFY and look after her while I'm
gone. I've bought tickets to The
Shepherds Call You must take her
and think of me when you do it. old
chap" he ended with heartfelt pathos.
Reaching home at night he went
straight TO his room and dropped into
a chair, a morose heap Of bewildered
iptrospection. Ages later he was
conscious of his brother standing be-
side him in his smoking Jacket.
"That things a beastly color" was
James only greeting as he gared at
the offending garment, including the
occupant, IN his hostile stare. Harry
made no comment, but switched off
the light.
what the dickens did you do that
for?" roared his brother.
Because l want to tell you some
thing, and-I have to say 1t in the
dark"
Hurry up then, do" he growled in
reply.
James, I swear hid II, swear !
DID," Harry began in frenzy.
'IIid what, you lunatlc? Are you
daft?"
Hid It until COMFY broke out cry
ing last night and confessed she didn't
love you any more"
"Whatg" gasped James in a hiss
ing whisper
Eyes" Harry continued, land when
she had made 1t perfectly plain and !
realized it was all up between you, !
simply couldn't keep it in any more"
Speeches., James jumped out of
the chair and blundered toward the
door in the dark.
watt Where are you golngT
called Harry. "You wouldn't do any
thing TO Conny-would your
"Conny, nothing" answered James.
"Tm going to make an appointment
with Aggie. She's more like COMFY
than COMFY herself is, but how the
devil did Cupid ever get his wires
crossed like that?"
Arcentines Have Sweet Tooth.