Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-04-17
THAT STRANGE PIN
BY n. CLYDE BUCKINGHAM.
(Copyright.)

NOOpyTSHI-)
Mrs. Theodore Bradley Trenholm
moved uneasily in her seat, looked
sidewise 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 it 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, it
was not until she was dressing to go \
out the following morning that she
again thought of it.
Mrs. Trenholm took the pin from
the pincushion and walked to the win
dow with it.
In the sunlight it was remarkable;
the top being curiously wrought af-
fair, somewhat resembling an Egyp-
tlan mosaic. It was round, and per-
haps two inches in diameter; in the
center was square amethyst, of
deep, rich color; surrounding the gem
were ten cat's-eyes of various shapes.
each weighing about a carat The
back was of gold, on which four let
ters were 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 it, she put
it in her hat and wore it downtown.
The stores were unusually crowded,
SO it was quite late before she finished
her shopping. Feeling hungry, she
went into a 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 a part
OF the conversation drifted over to
her. They were discussing a fascinat-
Ing pin. At once she became con-
scious, 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 luck! wonder who she
thought 1 was? l 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 pair of very honest eyes, brim-
full of fun.
Tive tried all the way up to at
tract your attention" he said. "but you
simply wouldn't look"
Look! l should say mott" she re-
piled Indignantly. "Let go of my arm
at once. How dare you touch me? I
don't know you. never saw, you be-
/ FORE"
"Of course you don't-exactly know
me-" he answered quietly. "And
L
of seeing you before. But you want to
know me, don't you?"
BY this time they had reached the
street, and were standing gazing in
tently at each other.
Il think I 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"
That evening she told her husband
about it.
what aid he mean by the emblem,
Alfred?"
II don't know" her husband replied.
UNLESS he could have referred to the
pin you found last night. Let's exam
Inc it carefully"
The examination revealed nothing.
Even the letters were of no signifi-
canoe.
Not to be daunted by one experience.
Mrs. Trenholm continued to wear the
pin. For two weeks nothing happened
ana 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 hurrying-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
middle-aged and plainly intoxicated.
In a wavering voice, that he tried to
make firm. he asked her where she
was going.
Don't you know you're the girl for
me?" he continued, making grab for
her arm, and managing to catch her
hand.
She jerked herself free and ran up
| the steps, the man calling after her:
Il saw it-I tell you / did"
| The pin was carefully examined
again that night. and Mr.. Trenholm,
now convinced that it was the cause
of the unpleasantness, appropriated
| it