The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-04-22
The Wrong
Number
By r. RAY BAKER
,ti0If0 lf0 Sf0fi0 iIf0 IIS0If0IF0IS1yH

| g. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
| 1t seemed that the girl at the central
office never would make the connec-
ton. Hal Golden fumed, for he was
Always IN a hurry, especially when
| talking over the telephone. OF all the
irksome activities of his business life
| holding 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 woman's
voice said, Hello" and without pre-
llmlnaries Hal launched into the bust
| ness on hand.
I'D like to speak to Frank" he said.
Frank? the woman's voice repeat
ed. 1t was a 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
residence?'
NO." replied the young woman /;
you have the wrong number, l guess" v
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 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,
a luxury In which he seldom indulged-
because 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 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 Inez Wal
ton to theater and dance while
Mildred was out Of town on visit.
Hal had thought it would be all right
to spend couple Of his lonely eve
nings with Inez, because she was fell
telephone Office where he had job
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: Il intend to have 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 a most I'M
pleasant daze.
81 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 towns with
Mildred after the change in the stu
alton, he obtained transfer to Spar
ia. 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
a woman hater."
All this passed in review In Halls
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 Mr.. Golden. the telephone
manager. -Four times this week you
have given me the wrong number. and
1t will be necessary for you to explain