The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1921-09-08
An "Ad" Almost
Brought Disaster
By MURIEL BLAIR.
90. 1891. Western Newspaper Union)

l
the breakfast table and plunged for
his hat; then he plunged for his wife.
"Good-by, dearest he said, clasping
her as tightly as he could, considering
that he was holding a derby and a bag
full OF Office papers. 81 must catch
| that 6:27,"
"Good-by, John" said Mary Benton,
kissing him fondly. IL do wish you
didn't have to hurry away to that old
Office" she added, pouting.
"It won't be for long" said her hus-
band. If our great new advertising
scheme goes through Wen food the
country with notices OF our new pat
emit Everybody will read them. It's
my own idea. Can't stop to tel you
now. Good-by." And with hurried
final kiss, he was through the door
and Fastening toward the station.
Mary sighed a little-then smiled.
She and John had been married only
six months and they were very fond
Of each other
She put away the breakfast things;
then, still smiling at the thought or
her husbands haste, she went into
the little room In which he worked at
nights upon the new advertising plan.
A piece Of paper lay IN one corner; 1t
had evidently futtered out Of his desk
and fallen there, unnoticed. She
picked II up and, glancing at II, felt
her heart throb painfully. She could
hardly read the words that danced
before her eyes.
II was a love letter, and 1t began:
MY dearest sweetest Jack" 1t was
pewritten-evldently that the writer
might remain immune against discov-
cry, and for the same reason 1t was
signed Bunny" And It was just the
sort Of foolish mixture Of prattle and
epdearment that an ignorant young
girl would write.
Worst of all, 1t was headed 2247
Andover street-her husbands busi-
ness address
She tried to read It, but the mixture
Of shop talk and loving phrases was
too nauseating. Mingled with allu-
siOns TO business affairs were refer
ences 10 somebody who must be kept
In the dark"-herself, doubtless. And
"Jack" had taken her out to dinner
on the 29th-that was the evening
when he did not come home till eleven.
Jack" had given her ring. Jack"
was her everlasting sweetheart.
Mary Benton had the quick temper
which accompanies many lOvable ma
lures. She flung the letter into cor
ner and packed her bag. She was de-
termined TO go home to her mother.
She would leave no message-merely
the letter on the table. She picked IT
up and smoothed out the wrinkles.
Then, at the door. she reflected. No,
she would 90 down to the office and
confront them-John and his absurd
stenographer. Then at last she com
posed herself, dabbed some cologne
upon her eyes, put the letter In her
bag and started downtown. She would
be very quiet and very calm and give
the woman no occasion 10 triumph
over her. She would request few
moments OF Johns time, would walk
in, lay down the letter, ask him II he
had anything TO say, and then go
home. She would never return-nev-
er. BY this time she had begun to cry
again.
She went down on a car and en-
tered the dreary Office building, When
she went In she saw the same office
boy and bOokkeeper; but there was
a new stenographer, little fluffy
haired thing, who chewed gum brazen-
iy Her heart sank. Was II possible
that John was attracted by that crea-
ture7
"why, Mary" John was at the
door, looking at her with puzzled
expression, He was holding her hands.
Mary What's wrong, dearT
She could not help her tears. "Send
that-woman away" she said In fall
tering voice, and the stenographer
withdrew softly smiling a little. She
had seen mems wives 90 to their hus-
bands offices before. Mary Benton en-
tered, put down her bag and, standing
like a recording angel, flung down the
letter silently. John Benton read II
and suddenly began to laugh uproar-
iOuay.
"Johnl You are laughingw eI-
cla,med his wife.
"ReNd 1t aloud, my dear" her hus-
band answered. $50 you thought
you thought"
"John, what do you meanf Can you
offer any excuse at ALI What Is itf'
John Benton read solemnly:
MY dearest, sweetest Jack-When
are you going to take me out to din
ner again, as you DID on the 10th,
sweetheart miss you every hour OF
the day--mOre than | miss Hairoff,
the new patent scissors for cutting
your own hair. When | see my broth
er's Hairofr | think Of your own dark,
lustrous locks. I"
"Oh, pshaww said John, throwing
the letter down. That's mimeo.
saphed circular, Mary; we're flooding
the country with them. Everybody
will read them and want pair, Look
at those stacks OF letters up there
dearest-theyre all the same letter
all those thousands OF them. And you
thOught--you really thought"
Hut Mary was past thinking now
she was In his arms, and her tears
we're those OF relief happiness and