The Press., 1922-07-27
The Wrong Number
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-1922 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
By R. RAY BAKER

Ii seemed that the girl at the central office never would make the cohilec- tiOn. Hal Golden fumed, for ne was always in a hurry, especially when talking over the telephone. Ot all the irksOme activities of his business hLe' holding a wire conversation was the worst. This In spite of the fact that the telephone was his daily bread
 Finally he heard click and knew someone was answering. A wOmans voice said, Hello" and without pre- liminaries Hal launched into the busi- ness on hand.
 .'Td like to speak to Frank, he salu'
 "Frank?" the wOman's voice repeat ed. It was a singularly sweet voice. The owner must be quite captivating if she was anything like the 1ntonatlOh of her 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 said brusquely' hut not quite so brusquely as he usu- ally spoke. Isn't this Frank JarVlS residence?"
 No" replied the young woman; "you have the wrong number, 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! lie would have to look into matters hlln- self. If other subscribers were haNlhS the same difficulties his regime as man. ager of the Sparta office was not re- ceiying desirable advertising. TOmOr- TOW 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 heu 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 dls- 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, ana let his thoughts roam to bygOne days. luxury in which he seldom indulged- because it was dangerous.
 It was not such a long time ago, at that, when his young heart hau burned with affection for Mildred Faunce They had really been en- gagged when the earthquake occurred. The cataclysm was a sudden termina- tion of the engagement by Mildred. He. had never thought of her as an unrea- sOnabIe girl, but she appeared that way now. for there was no other reason ln. evidence for the break in relations put the fact that Hal had taken Inez Wal ion to theater and a dance while Mildred was out of town on visit.
 Hal had thought it would be all right to spend a couple of his lonely eve nings with Inez because she was fel- low worker, being employed in the telephone office where he had job AS trouble shooter" She was an at tractive girl, but not the equal of Mill 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: 'I 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.
 'I 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, but 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- atiOn, he obtained a transfer to Spar ta, where he worked so earnestly, in order to keep his mind off his lost love. that he climbed rapidly to the | managership. Now he called himself 1 ''woman hater."
 All this passed in review in Hal $ mind as he sat in his bachelor apart ments that night, but finally he cast thoughts of Mildred aside, shrugged his shoulders, smiled bitterly, knocked the ashes from his pipe, and retired
 The next evening his experience with the wrong number was repeated Furious, he called central and said abruptly:
 ''This Is MT. Golden, the telephone manager. Four times this week you have given me the wrong number, anC 1t will be necessary for you to explain in my office at ten o'clock tomorrow morning."
 At ten in the morning Hal was busy with some reports when there camt a gentle knock-not timid. just gentle -on the door. Without looking. ht called, Come in."
 "You wished me to call at this hour, MT. Golden" he heard a girl! voice remind him.
 "Yes." he said shortly. withou looking up from the papers. Have { ! chair and I'll attend to your case 1T & moment"
 After he had cOughed significantl. twice. he turned in his chair. He fixe' his gaze on the girl and couhl not re move it. He was trembling with SOmt strong emotion, and he knew what 1 was, although he tried to gainsay it For the girl he had summoned for ; rebuke was no stranger.
 She sat there demurely in straight-baeked chair, lingering plai in her dress, and asked:
 What was it you wished to SC me about?"
 Her voice broke the charm. H rose and insisted that she take hi easy chair, but she declined. Ii l cleared hIs throat and said halt1ngly