Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1909 — A SINGULAR MISTAKE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A SINGULAR MISTAKE

How a Man Was Annoyed by Congratulations.

By ADDIBON HOWARD QI BOON. [Copyright, 1909, by American Press Association.] • For two days a handsome young bachelor of St. Louis had been greatly annoyed by such telegrams as these: “Is it a girl or a boy ?” “Singleton, you happy rascal!’* “We hope the father will survive the ordeal." Last, but not least, “I am coming tomorrow. Elma." “You are, are you?” he vociferated, pacing the room with angry strides. “I’ll see about that!” While this irate gentleman sat in h!s pleasant bachelor apartments, striving as best he'migbt to forget the annoyances of the past two days, a young lady of nineteen drove up to his door. “This is Mr. Singleton's, miss. Shall I go and ring for you?”

“No, thank you.” And. dismissing the cab, she entered the gate and walked toward the house. She was surprised at the excellent taste displayed in the selection and arrangement of the plants and shrubs which , beautified the spacious grounds. “There is some misunderstanding,” she murmured, “or papa would never have opposed the match so strongly, for Mr. Singleton is evidently a man of means. I’m glad Stella has such a delightful home, and. thank God, papa has relented and sent me forth with the olive branch.” A servant appeared in answer to her ring, and she inquired, “Is Mr. Singleton at home?” "Yes, ma’am; he’s in the library.” “Conduct me to him at once, please.” Half reluctantly the fellow showed her down the wide hall and tapped at the library door. “What’s wanted?" demanded a deep voice from within. “Tell him it’s Elma who has come,” she explained to the man who had given her a questioning glance. “She says she’s Elma and wishes to see you.” “Who?” cried the young man, making no movement toward rising and opening the door. “Never mind,” said the girl, her hand turning the knob, “I’ll announce myself. He’s never seen me, but be will know who 1 am In a moment, I think.” The surprised servant walked away, and Elma Weston opened the door for herself. -.She paused on the threshold and looked half timidly at the handsome man who was reclining on a sofa near an open window. He arose at once and regarded her curiously with his fine dark eyes. “You are Mr. Singleton?” she questioned, with a degree of nervousness foreign to her character. r “I am,” he returned, “and you”— “Can’t you guess?” with a most bewitching smile. “I never was good at guessing,” he replied somewhat sardonically. “Why, I’m Elma,” she announced Impulsively, rushing to his side and possessing herself of his hand. “Oh, you are!” he responded, with exasperating coolness, though, he did not withdraw his hand. “Yes, and I started to you and Stella just as soon as we received your telegram,” she went on. “I sent you word I was coming. Didn’t you get my message?” “I have a rather vivid .Impression that I djd.” he returned, gazing in admiration upon the flushed face. “And we are going to be friends now, are we not?” And there was a pleading look in the violet eyes raised to his own.

“1 hope so,” he could not help saying. “Oh, you make me so happy! You know, I was away at school when you and Stella do—when it happened. Papa was very angry and unjust, I know, but when you sent us that telegram he relented right away. He could not come himself on account of a wretched attack of rheumatism, so he dispatched me on the first train as bearer of the branch of peace. I know I shall love you as a brother. But how is dear Stella? And that darling baby boy? I’m dying to see them!” Fred Singleton was strongly tempted to keep up the deception just for the sake of retaining that little soft hand longer in his own. But he was an honorable man, and from the girl's speech be had been gathering materials which would help to solve the mystery that for the past few days had been the cause of so much annoyance. So he said: “Excuse me, but there is some mistake here. lam F. H. Singleton, it is true, but not the one you are seeking and for whom these messages were evidently intended.” And, drawing a handful of dispatches from his pocket, he spread them open before his visitor, explaining as well as he could how they had fallen into his bands. At first Elma Weston was unable to comprehend what had occurred. When, however, a clear understanding of the situation did burst upop her she was so overwhelmed with disappointment and chagrin that her eyes filled with tears. “I am so sorry, sir,” she tried to apologize in a low quavering strongly in contrast with her former bantering tone, ’’that you have been subjected to so much annoyance on—on our account.” "Please don’t think of it,” he hastened to say. “That is of small moment. I am only annoyed that you should be so disappointed.” “You are very kind,” she murmured, moving toward the door. He followed her. “I beg your pardon,” he said, “but if you will permit me I shall be pleased to assist you in finding this namesake of mine.” “Thank you, sir,” she replied, her eyes refusing to meet his, so great was her embarrassment “Although I am a total stranger here, I could not think of troubling you further.” “It is a singular coincidence that there should be another of my name in the city and no one have any knowledge of him,” continued the gentleman as he stood with her by the library door, hat in hand, ready to render service.

“It is indeed singular,” responded the girl. “I can’t understand it. But since you are kind enough to offer assistance and as you have been the chief victim an explanation is due you, which I shall be glad to give. “While I was at school last year my sister, Stella Weston, was the guest .of an aunt in New Jersey. There she became attached to a young man of the name of F. H. Singleton. He was only a poor writer, and my aunt, who is wealthy and bad higher ambitions for her handsome niece, opposed the match. My father through her influence refused his consent in language which aroused my sister’s high strung nature. She defied them both, ran away and was married to her writer lover. Father refused to forgive them until three days ago, when we received a telegram from this place announcing the arrival of a grandson who was to be given his name. .This immediately brought about a reconciliation. I know comparatively nothing of my brother-in-law, so I hope you will forgive my mistake.” Just at this moment there was a sharp ring at the door, and at once the servant ushered in a young man whom Mr. Singleton instantly recognized as one of the telegraph clerks. “There have been some mistakes made in the office,” he began. “Certain dispatches delivered to you were meant for another F. H. Singleton. He lives on a farm four miles out of the city, and, being a newcomer, none of us knew him. I have come to ask you to be kind enough to overlook the blunder if you can.” “Certainly. But how did you discover the mistake finally?” “This other Mr. Singleton is at the office now waiting for replies that have been delivered to you.” “All right. This lady and I will accompany you back and see if we all together cannot bring order out of chaos.”

Elma found her sister’s husband at the station, and full explanations and introductions followed. She was driven to the fine old farm, which be had recently Inherited from a deceased uncle. Stella was delighted at the unexpected arrival of Elma. The wonderful baby, who had been the unconscious cause of no little embarrassment to his lovely “aunty,” was speedily forgiven and petted and caressed to the satisfaction of all concerned. ' /j Although it has been impossible up to date for the two Singletons to prove themselves kinsmen, they are great friends. The business one in the city frequently drives out to the farm, ostensibly to discuss the other’s double interests, agriculture and literature. But his real object is to place himself as often as possible in the company of sweet Elma Weston, who cannot make up her mind to leave that remarkable baby. “Elma,” he pleaded one evening after their acquaintance had continued for several weeks, “can’t you guess my secret?” “I never was good at guessing, Mr. Singleton,” she retaliated. “I don’t believe in secrets anyway. Did you ever know a woman who did?” with an arch smile. .y “I don’t think I ever did,” he admit.ted, taking her hand., "and neither do

I, so I’ll keep this no longer. I love you very dearly, Elma. Do you like my secret?” “I—l—think I do,” she replied, with drooping eyes. “Then, darling, you will be my wife?” The answer was spoken very low, but it must have been perfectly satisfactory to this F. H. Singleton judging from the promptness with which he clasped her in his arms.

"WHY. I'M ELMA," SHE ANNOUNCED IMPULSIVELY.