The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-04-10
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THAT STRANGE PIN
BY II. CLYDE BUCKINGHAM.
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(Copyright.)

stdewise at her husband, found he
was interested In watching the vari
GUS people being seated; then deliber.
ately put the pin In her hat, and fas-
tened 1t to the back OF the seat In
front of her.,
After the performance, in the hurry
OF getting out OF the theater. she
quite forgot about the strange pin she
had found in the rack In front of her,
and so appropriated It. In fact, 1t
was not until she was dressing to go
out the following morning that she
again thought of 1t.
Mrs. Trenholm took the pin from
the pincushion and walked to the win
dow with 1t.
In the sunlight II was remarkable;
the top being curiously wrought az
fair somewhat resembling an Egyp-
tian mosaic. 1t was round. and per-
haps two inches In diameter; In the
center was a square amethyst. OF a
deep, rich color; surrounding the gem
were ten cat's-eyes Of various shapes.
each Weighing about carat. The
back was OF gold, on which four let
tiers we're engraved. IN. Y. NJ. c." The
pin was longer than generally used
In hats, and very substantial.
Although Mrs. Trenholm realized
the rare beauty OF the pin and that
she had practically stolen 1t. she put
1t In her hat and wore 1t downtown.
The stores were unusually crowded.
30 1t was quite late before she finished
her shopping. Feeling hungry. she
went into small tea-room for some
light refreshment before going home.
The place was deserted, save for
two young women in the far corner.
| Mrs. Trenholm took a seat near them
and gave her order. Presently part
OF the conversation drifted over to
her. They were discussing fascinat-
Ing pin. At once she became con-
sclous. and fearing her pin might
belong to one of them she turned her
head the other way. In a short time
they left. On the way out, the girl
who seemed to be doing most OF the
talking. deliberately stopped in front
OF her and smiled cordially.
Il hope you have luck!" she said,
then she followed her companion.
Mrs Trenholm gasped.
Have lucki wonder who she
thought I was? I declare, don't
know what she could have meant"
She was so preoccupied going up in
the subway that she failed to observe
the young man who sat opposite. AS
she was ascending the steps at Sew
enty-second street, some one grabbed
her by the arm. Thoroughly fright
ened. she turned hurriedly and looked
into a pair OF very honest eyes, brim-
full Of fun.
I've tried all the way up to at
tract your attention" he said. but you
simply wouldn't look"
Look! should say mott" she re-
piled Indignantly. Let go OF my arm
at once. How dare you touch me?
don't know you. never saw you be-
fore"
"Of course you don't-exactly know
me-" he answered quietly. "And I
don't believe I ever had the pleasure
OF seeing you before. But you want to
know me, don't your"
Bv this time they had reached the
street, and we're standing gazing In
tently at each other
81 think never heard OF such ef
frontery!" she said. 81 want to know
you? Well don't! Young man, you
have certainly made a distressing mis-
take have a husband"
And with her head higher than
usual Mrs. Trenholm hurried away
from a thoroughly astonished man.
He looked after her for a second.
then rapidly followed. At the corner
he rejoined her He raised his hat
and looked at her squarely.
81 want to apologize" he said. 81
have indeed made mistake. am
not in the habit of doing such things;
but saw the emblem, and supposed
l had the right"
Before Mrs. Trenholm could reply.
he had left her and was walking rap
idlv on in the direction of the subway
station. Though trife put out by the
whole occurrence she had to laugh.
That evening she told her husband
about It,
What did he mean by the emblem.
Alfredo"
81 don't know" her husband replied.
Unless he could have referred to the
pin you found last night. Let's exam
Inc 1t carefully"
The examination revealed nothing.
Even the letters we're of no slgnif-
canoe.
Not to be daunted by one experience,
Mrs. Trenholm continued to wear the
pin. For two weeks nothing happened,
and she began to feel quite secure
again and proud of her possession.
She was coming home rather late
one afternoon-it was quite dark, so
she was hurrSing-when she heard a
man call: wait minute!"
She paid no attention, and the call
was repeated. this time emphatically
Thoroughly frightened, she started to
run. man after her. He reached her
on the threshold OF her house. He was