The Dolores star., 1922-06-09

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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
It 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 came
a gentle knock-nOt timid. just gentle
on the door. Without looking, he
called, "Come In"
"YOu wished me to call at this
hour. Mr. Golden" he heard a girls
voice remind him.
Yes" he said shortly. without
looking up from the papers. Have
chair and I'll attend to your case in
a moment"
After he had couehed significantly
twice, he turned in his chair He fixed
his gaze on the girl and could not re-
move It. He was trembling with some
strong emotion, and he knew what 1t
was, although he tried to gainsay 1t.
For the girl he had summoned for u
rebuke was no stranger.
She sat there demurely in
straightforward chair lingering a plait
in her dress. and asked:
What was 1t you wished to see
me about?"
Her voice broke the charm. He
rose and insisted that she take his
easy chair, but she declined. He
cleared his throat and said. haltingly:
'There are some things l don't un-
derstand-why you are here, why you
persistently gave me the wrong num-
Der when called from my home, why
well, the mysteries extend back
three years to night when you re-
turned ring. Hung 1t, Mildred!
That never seemed Just right to me-"
She smiled and sighed, ran her fin
gers along the plalt and began speak
ing slowly.
"In little town people are queer.
II they see boy and girl walk along
the street together, folks Immediately
scent desperate love affair. The
story circulates and grows like any
other.
when l returned home from my
visit that time l was told by several
different persons that you and Inez
Walton were furiOusly In love and
that I was standing between you. l
at once decided to step aside and
let Inez have clear path. tried to
make 1t easy for you by doing 1t sud-
denly and not asking embarrassing
questions. 1t was not easy, either.
because-well, IL cared a lot. But
1t seemed my duty.
"When you went away, instead Of
becoming engaged to Inez. 1t set me
thinking, and l began to wonder
whether had been too hasty. I be-
lieve l should have written to you.
but had no idea where to find you.
A month ago father died and 1 was
placed on my own resources, because
his business affairs were badly In
vOlved. wanted to get away from
depressing surroundings, so I came
to Sparta and took the first job
could find, which was this switch
board Job. had had some experience
at home, you will remember. The same
day learned you were my-my boss,
l met IneZ Walton on the street, and
she gave Inc her telephone number. l
had always been puzzled about you
and her, and / saw my chance to find
out II you really cared for her. That
Is why connected you with her num-
ber every night, and I listened in
shamefully. 1t appears now that
was wrong. Three years ago, when
made you take the ring without any
explanation. I should have asked If
you loved IneZ. 1t was not"
He was standing beside her now,
and he interrupted with:
ut is never too late, and I'll answer
now. never gave thought to Inez,
except as friend, and she cared moth
ing for me, l am sure. Why, I never
recognized her voice on the wire;
didn't know she was living here. In
fact"
He fumbled in pocket and brought
forth ring.
"ThIs is the same one. Won't You
wear 1t again? Really. the folks who
told you I was in love with Inez-
they-well, they"
A smile broke over her face as she
extended hand.
"They had the wrong number, you
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