The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-23
EDening Story
The Wrong Number.

connection. Hal Golden fumed. for
he was always in a hurry, especially
when talking over the telephone. OF
all the irksone activities of his bust
was the worst. This in spite of the
/ fact that the telephone was his daily
1 bread.
l. Finally he heard a click and knew
some one was answering. A woman
voice said, Hello" and without pre-
| liminaries Hal launched into the bust
ness at hand.
I'd like to speak to Frank" he
said
Frank" the woman's voice re-
peated. 1t was a singularIy sweet voice.
The owner must be quite captivating
If she was anything like the information
ofh er speech. But Hal had no time
for women, no matter how captivating
His only experience in love had taught
him a lesson.
'Yes-Frank." he brusquely, but not
quite so brusquely as he usually
spoke. Isn't this Frank Jarvis's resi-
No. replied the young woman.
you have the wrong number, I
guess
beg pardon" he said and hung up
the receiver.
This was getting to be the limit.
For the third time this week, while
calling from his home, he had been
connected with the wrong number
What was getting wrong with the
service? He would have to look into
matters himself. IF other subscribers
We're having the same difficulties his
regime as manager of the Sparta office
was not receiving desirable advertis-
ing. Tomorrow he would talk to the
chief oSerator-yes he would call in
the very girl who had been making
these mistakes, and if necessary he'd
dismiss her from her position. On
second thought, he'd give her one
more chance.
He called again and this time had
no trou Bile in getting Frank Jarvis on
the line, and the business was duly dis
cussed- Then, being in a reminiscent
mood, induced largely by the pleasant
voice of the wrong number. he settled
back in the big chair and smoked, and
let his thoughts roam to bygone days.
luxury in which he seldom INDUCED
it was dangerous
1t was not such long time ago, at
that, when his young heart had
burned with affection for Mildred
Faunce. They had really been en-
gagged when the earthquake occurred.
The cataclysm was a sudden termina-
ton of the engagement by Mildred.
He had never thought of her as an
unreasonable girl, but she appeared
that way now. for there was no other
reason in evidence for the break in
delations but the fact that Hal had
taken Inez Walton to a theater and a
dance while Mildred was out of town
on a visit.
Hal had thought it would be all
right to spend a couple of his lonely
evenings with InGz. because she was
a fellow worker being employed in
the telephone office where he had a
job as trouble shooter" She was
an attractive girl, but not the equal
of Mildred. to Halls way of thinking. |
Besides, Mildred had told him to
amuse himself with other young |
ladies, If he chose. while she was |
gong. because, she assured him: "I |
intend to have a good time myself" |
That had been in accord with her |
broadminded ieas.
But the first time Hal called after !
return. she told him all was |
over and handed his ring back to him. |
down the street in a most I'M |
plea SAINT daze.
Il can't come between you and |
some one else" was all she had Of |
fered by way of explanation. She had |
seemed more sad than angry. but she |
always had remarkable control of her
temper.
He tried twice to heal the breach.
but received no encoura geement, an0
finally was forced to the conclusion
time" on her visit had met some one
she considered more desira bic. I'm
able to live in the same town with
Mildred after the change in the situa-
II. /
where he worked so earnestly. in or
der to keep his mind off his lost love,
that he climbed rapidly to the man
lgership. Now he called him self
woman hater-"
All this passed in review in Hairs
mind as he sat in his bachelor apart
nents that night, but finally he cast
thoughts of Mildred aside, shrugged
his shoulders, smiled bitterly; knocked
he ashes from his pipe. and retired.
The next evening his experience
With the wrong number was repeated
Furious. he called central and said
lbruptly: -
'oThis is Mr.. Golden. the telephone .
manager. Four times this week you
lave given me the wrong number, and
[ will be necessary for you to explain
n my office at 10 O'Clock tomorrow
morning"
With some reports when there came
,entIe knock-not timid, just gentle
N the door. Without looking, he
allied. Come IN"
You wished me to call at this hour,
DR. Golden" he heard girls voice
emind him.
yes" he said shortly, without look
ng up from the papers Have a
hair and I'll attend to your case In
moment"
After he had coughed significantly
vice he turned in his chair. He fixed
lis gaze on the girl and could not re-
move it. He was trembling with some
trong emotion, and he knew what 1t r
vas. altho he tried to gainsay it. For !
he girl he had summoned for a re-
luke was no stranger.
She sat there demureiy in straight 4
acked chair, lingering a pleat in her
ress. and asked:
What was it you wished to see me
bout?'
Her voice broke the charm He
ose and insisted that she take his
aSy chair, but she declined. He
feared his throat and said. haltingly: Z
There are some things I don't IN
erstand-why you are here, why you
ersistently gave me the wrong num- y
er when I called from my home, why 4
well, the mysteries extend back
ILL h.