A Mistake

A Mistake By William, Henry Peterson Thelma's birthday party was in full swing. Not a single thing had occurred to mar the event. The sky, which had been rather threatening the day before, was clear and beautiful. Through the balmy, invigorating air of an early summer eve- ning the great, round moon laughed down upon the merry- makers. Girls they were, and they were celebrating Thelma's thirteenth birthday. Suddenly the fun was interrupted by Thelma exclaiming that she had lost a pocket mirror, one that had been given to her by her mother at Christmas time. A hurried search was made, but no mirror was to be found. "What kind of a mirror was it?" asked Gladys Whitney. Thelma called the eager searchers to her while she described the lost article. "It's about this big," she said, holding up her hands, and curving her thumb and second finger into a circular position. The back is silver, and on it is the figure of a swan." Another vigorous and lengthy search failed to produce the desired article. Where could it be? Thelma was sure she had lost it on the lawn. The young guests, finding the treasured gift could not be located, began to suspect that a theft had been committed. Could one of the girls have taken it? Someone proposed that all present should be searched. Thelma ob- jected. She was indignant. She had implicit faith in the friendship and honesty of her friends. Some of the girls, however, felt that a shadow of guilt was resting on every one present, and they refused to stop dis" cussing the matter until the young hostess agreed to the idea to having each girl searched. So minutely had every nook, and crevice been searched and researched that most of the girls were of the opinion that there was only one way the mirror could so completely disappear. One of the girls must have taken it. When a vote was taken to find out if the girls would willingly submit to being searched, all but one girl voted yes. That girl was Gladys Whitney. Immediately all eyes were turned upon her, and suspicious thoughts entered the minds of her playmates^ They drew back from her as if they had suddenly discovered that she was afflicted with some dread disease. If

520 IMPROVEMENT ERA she weren't guilty of taking the article in question, why should she refuse to be examined? Thus the girls reasoned as they whispered together in groups. "No matter what others may think, you are my best friend, and I love you in spite of this whole, horrid business," said Thelma, endeavoring to console her weeping companion. Gladys could not answer her friend's words of affection. Tears stood in her eyes, and her lips trembled. Her sensitive soul was hurt, and she could do nothing but sob. "She's sorry for what she has done," whispered one of the girls. "I hope she has learned a lesson." "Why, what's the matter?" exclaimed Mrs. Reid, coming from the house." I trust nothing has happened to spoil our party. "Oh, mother!" exclaimed Thelma, "I — we — Gladys — my pocket mirror is lost." "Lost!" well, if that is all, I can soon dry up your tears. I saw your mirror on the dresser as I came through the house." "On the dresser! In the house!" exclaimed Thelma. "That's what I said," answered her mother. Why do you stare so? Is there anything odd or mysterious about a mirror being in the house on the dresser?" "Oh, Gladys!" continued the excited girl, I felt all the time that you hadn't taken it." "Dfidn't take it!" cried the girls in unison. "Girls," said ^rs. Reid, "what is all this about?" "It is this way, mother," explained Thelma. "I thought I had lost my pocket mirror. We hunted everywhere, but could not find it. Someone proposed that each of the girls be searched. Gladys refused, and so they thought — oh, I can't say it! It's too awful!" "I didn't want to be searched," said Gladys between sobs, "because I have a mirror like Thelma's. Mama bought it for me last week. I was afraid that when the girls would find it in my pocket they would think it belonged to Thelma, and accuse me of taking it. See, here is mine, and like Thelma's, it has the figure of a swan on the back." "That explains the whole situation," said Mrs. Reid. I am surprised that you so quickly mistrusted one another. After this Thelma must take better care of her belongings, and I hope you girls will be more considerate of one another's feelings. You see by this unfortunate incident that, through a slight mis- understanding, injustice has been done to one of your number. But come, the lunch is ready. I know you are all anxious to sample Thelma's birthday cake." Manti, Utah