The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1899-12-21
A LOCK OF HAIR.

III ABOUT ADr9m SmOllet 10 suggest
~ the gay Lothario. He was the
most commonplace. not to say plainest,
looking of mortals. respected member
of the board of trade and thorough
business man. l don't suppose any
woman except Smollett's wife ever
looked ut him twice. and yet Mrs. Smol-
lett was Unfortunately jealous.
Lydia got it in her foolish head that
Abram was spending more time In his
office than he ought. and became fright
fully jealous of the typewriter. whom
she pictured In her own mind as siren
of unlimited power over the other sex.
When she made an unexpected de-
scent upon the office. however, she
found long-legged. red-haired boy bat
tering the keys of the machine, and the
only woman on the premises was the
scrub woman, of whom even Lydia
could not be jealous.
Smollo+t Is as methodical In his habits
as well-regulated town clock. On a
certain day every spring he leaves off
fiannels, and on certain day in the
fall he puts on overshoes. Once in
every two years he has his watch
cleaned at the jewelers.. The time for
renovating his chronometer came
around lately, and Smollett left 1t with
a jeweler on Broadway, in the shop
ping district.
Stocks were rather shaky about that
time. and he had to be at his desk early
and late TO watch matters. He couldn't
find time to go around after his time
piece, and its absence was always both.
ering him. for he had to depend upon
church clocks. a French mantel clock
that was never known to be right half
day at time. or his wife's chatelaine.
and was always missing cars and being
late at appointments.
SO dear Lydia. with the best Of inten-
tons. found the jewelers. ticket and
went herself after the watch. saying
nothing to Smollett about 1t. When she
presented the ticket to the jeweler, he
looked at 1t and then at her.
This is a gentleman's watch, miss"
Lydia blushed prettily. "Oh, yes: it's
my husbands" she said.
He brought it from the safe and said.
Il think It's all right. ma'am." He
snapped the case aud opened the back
or the watch to look at the works. As
he did so tiny lock Of hair slipped ont
upon the show case.
The Jeweler glanced at It and then nj
Lydia. Her hair is a golden brown
Inc lock which had dropped out of the
watch was yellow.
Inc Jeweler was wise man; he was
married himself. He glanced slvlv Mt
l-yuia. Her eyes were flashing and n
RED spot burned in either cheek. Sb.
had seen the lock of hair, but he, ont Of
the goodness Of his heart tried to shield
the victim. He closed the watch with
OUT putting back the hair, and started
10 pack the t,mepiece in box.
You have forgotten something" said
Lydia, In hard voice.
Il beg your pardon"
lou nave forgotten something" sho
repeated. pointing to the yellow loci,
"hich he mad sought to hide with hls
coat sleeve
"Oh. that?" said this blessed Ananios
guess you're wrong. ma'am. That's
OIL or hair customer of mine wanted
me TO put In lOcket for him"
Il saw 1t drop" said Lydia. with n
calmness that quelled the jewelers. glib
tongue. Put it back in the watch"
He obeyed she pa d his bill and swent
regaIly from the store. That Is why
Smoliett. going home that night after n
peculiarly vexing day, and longing to
forget business for few hours in the
society Of his charming little wife
found in her place an iceberg.
Smollett was puzzled, but made no
comment. With women. as in business
Smolletts was waiting game. He nj.
ways went on the theory that. If he
waited long enough. the other fellow
would show his hand. SO after dinner
he retired TO the library with his paper
HIS theory was again proved correct.
She soon appeared, but a glance at her
face assured him that there was little
change in the weather. He wished he
had ordered James to light a fire In the
CRATE. She stood beside the table and
placed box upon it.
There Is your watch"
'Oh, thank you. my dear" said the
unsuspicious Smollett. I'D never found
time to go around for it."
She made no comment, but watched
him take it out, snap it onto his watch
chain, and slip it into its accustomed
place in the left breast pocket of his
vest.
You beast! you brute!" she cried
tragically. and as the hurricane of tears
burst she ran from the room and shut
herself into her own apartments again.
Poor SmollAft was thunderstruck. He