The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-11-05

after the opening Of this story, to re-
ceive a telephone call from police
| headquarters requesting his presence
| in court to answer to q charge of
violating the speed laws.
But l haven't had the car out" he
said over the phone.
Tell 1t to the judge" was the curt
reply, and Sidney went to police court.
He had some trouble explaining, but
his standing in the community caused
the judge to give him some heed.
what is your license number?"
! 79854?"
II don't know. 1 put on the
plates, but l didn't notice." Sidney
was obliged to confess.
isn't your machine a Hammerhill
| touring carr"
Yes" he admitted, but I'm sure 1t
hasn't been out of the garage"
Better take a look at your plates"
the judge advised. There must be
some mistake. | take it for granted
you have more sense than to work an
old stall like that if you're guilty"
SO Sidney went home and looked at
his number. There had been some
mistake, for his number was 1858
But where could the mistake have
been? Surely it must have been the
officer that copied it when the traffic
ordinance was violated
He went IN tho pffica apd nhnna1
his Information to the judge. who
promised to look up the new number
in the records and let him know the
result. Then he sat idly and watched
his assistant manager work, admring
her from behind q newspaper
Presently the telephone rang and
Sidney answered
There's a mistake somewhere, all
right, said the judge. you got the
wrong number No 1854 is listed as
yours, all right, and 1858 was issued
to a Miss Jessie Pearmont She drives
Hammerhill, apparently just like
yours, and she's an old offender I
find she has paid fines twice already
for speeding can't understand how
the mistake was made, but I'll press
the matter further
Sidney replaced the phone Oh his
desk and sat silent staring at his as
sistant general manager with eyes
that shOne with mingled unbelief and
admiration. Presently he got up and
walked across to her desk. She looked
up with inquiring eyes, but now he
seemed to detect a hidden vivacity
that he had never suspected existed
there
Miss Pearmont," he said, clearing
his throat, Il do not wish to be in
quiSitive, but, er-er-a-have you
ever been a-have you ever had any
difficulty with the automobile speed
IawS?"
Yes she answered readily. I've
been arrested twice for going over the
limit. l just can't help it, somehow.
When the restraint of the office is
removed l feel like opening the throt-
tie wide up and letting er zip"
Sidney's eyes strayed to her left
hand and he breathed relief. There
was no ring there as yet
There seems to have been a mis-
take" he resumed. rs it possible you
gave me the wrong license plates? I
hesitate to ask because you never
make mistakes, but"
you're wrong" she interrupted Il
make loads of mistakes. Mother says
they'll be the death of me some day
I'm so painstaking in my work that
go to the opposite extreme in my pri-
vate life. III look the matter up"
Sidney actually staggered as he re-
sumed his seat and Jessie phoned
her mother about the license
you're right" she announced.
You have my number and l have
yours. Has anything happened?"
ooh no-that is, nothing of conse-
quence" He again walked to her
desk Miss Pearmont, will you mar
ry me? I've been thinking of this for
some time, but never got around to
ask you before"
Half an hour later the police court
Judge answered the telephone to hear
Mr.. Sidney Johnson ask, in a very
happy tone of voice:
"Say, can I pay Miss Pearmont's
fine? It's worth it, believe me-"