Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-26
The Daily Story
NY REIMBURSEMENT F. A. mitchell.


at reasonable profit.
Both the dealer and the lady were
somewhat surprised at my intrusion.
but the former said at once:
You are at liberty to make the
senorita an offer. | have more stock
on hand than l can use in these trou-
blous times
Very well. Tell the lady what you
would pay were you not overstocEed.
II would pay the highest price-in-
deed. move than the highest price-on
account of the extreme length" He
named a sum that the hair was worth.
IF the lady will accept that
amount" said. Il Will gladly pay it"
Are you a dealer in such goods.
senor?" asked Senorita Garcia.
No" l stammered Il am not"
Then may 1 ask for what yor
want it,"
have never been good ut white ly-
ing. If a lie is excusable / would
rather tell big one than a little one.
II will explain" l said. Il am
about to be married to a young lady
who is recovering from a fever from
which she lost her hair. 1t is grow
ing again. but very thin. It occurs
valuable present than a switch made
OF your splendid hair
She appeared 10 believe the state
ment, but could see from her express
sion that she doubted the propriety of
such a gift. However, after a regret
full glance in a mirror at the treasure
on her head, she accepted my offer.
will you take it now, senor?" she
asked.
NO. senorita. l have not enough
money with me, but l will pay you II
sum to bind the bargain and you need
not deliver the goods till the balance
is discharged"
l went through my pockets and found
enough money to pay 40 per cent on
the purchase.
But, senior, You do not know me.
You are taking risk"
81 know a lady when l see her"
az assure you, senor," said the pro
prietor, you run no risk whatever:
the senorita's family are well known
in Mexico They have in their veins
the blood of one OF the conquerors."
May 1 ask when the senior Will call
for my hair?" asked the girl.
"I? Call for it," said to gain time
to construct another lie. The date
of the wedding Is not yet fixed"
The wearer OF my property said
nothing more. but from the curious
way she looked at me it was evident
that there was something in the trans
action she did not understand. Writ
ing her address on a card she handed
it TO me and left the store. l sent her
the balance of the amount OF the pur-
chase money the same day, with n
caution on no account to cut off her
hair till 1 called for it.
Senorita Garcia. not having any oc-
casion for my address, had not asked
for It. Since | had no use for her hair
and had only bought it to save II for
her, / did not care for It, Weeks pass
ed before we met again. Meanwhile
/ wondered If she would recognize me
at seeing me again. She had merely
glanced at me In the pawnshop. and
in the rear room at the hair dealers
there was not enough light for her to
see me distinctly. Our third meeting
was on the street As | passed her
she stared at me. as If uncertain
whether | was or was not the owner
of her hair. | looked straight ahead.
But she stopped me and said:
"SenorE'
81 beg pardon" raising my hat.
"Are you not the senior VIII who
"Who what, senorita?"
bought my-hair?"
I was fixing for another lie. but saw
In her eye that it would not pass.
smiled
Come. senor," she continued, with
Thing about this transaction that I do
not understand. Several weeks ago
you bought my hair for your fancce.
80 you said You have paid the price
'or it, but have not called for IT. IT il
yours, and insist on delivering II to
7ou or returning the money"
"Senorita,' / said, putting a slight
remolo into my voice. 'the lady for
whom l made that purchase is no
more"
ooh, senior. how I pity you"
DO not talk about returning the
money. / could not bear 1t. Let Ms
ather find some other way, If you In.
list upon 1t. by which you may REIN
,urse me. Will you permit me to call
lpon you and talk the matter over
With you
II can understand your feelings, but
do insist on reimbursiDg you and
will be glad to receive you for the
you mention"
you are very kind"
If Senorita Garcia had known that
he reimbursement / was after was
or own sweet self she might not have
insisted on rcimbursing me. / called
n her. not once, but many times,
7hen I got the reimbursement / de.
fred. I surprised her by turning oveI
D her without any further payment
be emerald brooch | had bought from
be pawBbroser