The Dolores star., 1922-06-09
The Wrong
Number
8. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicat,
by r. RAY BAKER


1t seemed that the girl at the central
office never would make the cOnnec-
ton. Hal Golden fumed, for he was
always In hurry, especially when
talking over the telephone. OF all the
irksome activities of his business life,
worst. This in spite of the fact that
the telephone was his daily bread.
Finally he heard click and knew
someone was answering. A womuns
voice said, Hello" and without pre-
liminaries Hal launched into the busi-
ness on hand.
I'D like to speak to Frank" he said.
Frank the woman's voice repeat
ed. 1t was singularly sweet voice.
The owner must be quite captivating,
II she was anything like the intonation
of her speech. But Hal had no time
for women, no matter how captivating.
His only experience in love had taught
him lesson.
"Yes-Frank," he said brusquely,
but not quite SO brusquely as he usu-
ally spoke. Isn't this Frank Jarvis
resldence?"
NO." replied the young woman;
you have the wrong number, l 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
xx.it 4I,n n
would have to look into matters him
self. If other subscribers were having
the same difficulties his regime as man.
ager of the Sparta office was not re-
ceiving desirable advertising. Tomor-
row he would talk to the chief opera
tor-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
trouble in getting Frank Jarvis on the
line, and the business was duly dis
cussed. Then, being In 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 indulged-
because 1t 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 unrea-
sonable girl. but she appeared that way
now, for there was no other reason In
evidence for the break In relations but
the fact that Hal had taken 1nez Wal
ton to theater and dance while
Mildred was out of town on a visit.
Hal had thought 1t would be all right
to spend a couple Of his lonely eve
ntngs with Inez, because she was fel-
low worker, being employed in the
telephone Office where he had jon
as "trouble- shooter" She was an at;
tractive girl, but not the equal of MIL
dred, to Halls way of thinking. Be
sides. Mildred had told him to amuse
himself with other young ladies', If he
chose, while she was gone, because. she
assured him: II intend to have a good
time myself" That had been in ac-
cord with her broad-minded ideas.
But the first time Hal called after
Mildred's return she told him all was
over and handed his ring back to him,
and before he came to himself he was
walking down the street in most un-
pleasant daze.
II can't come between you and some
one else," was all she had offered 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,
hut received no encouragement. and
finally was forced to the conclusion
that Mildred, while having good
time" on her visit. had met someone
she considered more desirable. un-
able to live in the same town with
Mildred after the change In the situ-
alton, he obtained transfer to Spar
ia. where he worked SO earnestly, IN
order to keep his mind of his lost