Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-10-06
THE JEWELED
HAIRPIN -
[Original.l

was large enough to accommodate the
chums of all, and in July and August
we usually kept it full.
One night, returning late from the
city and being tired, went to my room
and threw myself on a divan. The
boys and girls were skylarking in the
hall, and some one put out the light. l
dropped asleep, and when awoke all
was still save the scratch of match
which failed to ignite in my room. By
its flash l caught sight of the dim fig
ure Of girl near the gas bracket,
though could not see who she was.
Then there was suppressed Shrek as
though she had discovered that she
was in the wrong room, and she made
for the door.
Jumped and caught her about the
waist. There was struggle during
which l kissed her and in order to
identify her scratched her cheek with
a rough edge on my seal ring; then
let her go.
What was my surprise at going into
the breakfast room the next morning
to see every girl in the house-there
were six, besides my sisters-each with
a piece of courtplaster on her cheek.
"Hm" I muttered to myself. "a pref
ty conspiracy to conceal the culprit!'
However, keeping my countenance, I
sat down, pretending not to notice the
beauty spots, but just before rising 1
put my hand in my pocket, grasped an
Imaginary something, placed my closed
fist on the table and said:
(Which of you girls lost hairpin
last night?"
Up flew half dozen hands to as
many heads, then were quickly low
cred, none Of the girls admitting loss.
But red flush in the cheeks of Jennie
Sayer told that my ruse had been sue
cessful.
why do you ask?" inquired one of
the girls. Have you found one?"
NO" replied carelessly and OPEN
ed my hand, showing nothing in it.
Then arose and strolled out Of the
dining room. There was silence till l
had got away from hearing, then,
learned afterward, babel In which l
was mercilessly handled by the girls
and defended by the boys. However
the secret was out and that was all
there was about it.
l was uncertain as to the value of nv
victory. was half in love with Jennie
Sayer, who had encouraged me, but
from this time she showed decided
preference for one Of my friends. This
veering taught me that l loved her
frantically. Indeed so infatuated was
I that despite the change in her told
my story" She listened to me calmly
until l had finished, then said:
II will give you my answer after
you have returned hairpin set with
pearls have lost during my stay
here"
I looked at her puzzled. could only
infer that this was way she had
chosen to refuse me. But when told
her SO she said:
"Not necessarily Find my hairpin
and come for your answer
"But may be long time finding it.
I may never find it,
THAT'S your affair, not nine"
1t was plain that she was intending
to punish me for my kiss in the dark
and what had come of it. But there
was hope. She had really lost hair
pin, and 1 might possibly find it. 1t
occurred to me that she might have
lost it on the night I kissed-and
scratched-her, so searched my room
and the hall, indeed everywhere that I
could learn she had been during the
day and evening. But, though 1 lifted
rugs, moved furniture, turned my room
topsy turvy, l met with no success.
/ went to Miss Sayer and pleaded for
q release from the condition She had
no more mercy on me than she would
have had on trout with her hook in
Its gills. Indeed, being sure that I
could not find her hairpin, to add to
my sufferings she declared that on the
day brought it to her might consid-
er her reply as given favorably. After
this she barely noticed me.
The day before the party broke up
was called to the city. l kept an es-
pecial suit for travelling and, as usual,
put 1t on. On my return to my room
that evening l missed my pocketbook
and ransacked my pockets for 1t. In
an outside breast pocket of the coat I
found-a hairpin set with pearls.
1t must have fallen there while
was struggling with Miss Sayer.
IT ever man was inspired with the
arrogance of triumph, was that man.
Slipping into dinner dress, went
down to the dining room, where all
were at table. was so exhilarated
all through dinner that 1 saw Miss
Sayer look uneasy. When the fruit
came on, laid my fist on the table and
said:
(Which Of you girls has lost a hair
pin?"
Miss Sayer looked at me with horror
stricken eyes. I opened my hand and
displayed her pin.
II am overjoyed," I added, 'sto an
nounce my engagement to Miss Sayer,
who accepted me conditionally on my
finding this article. am open to con-