The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-07-21
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THAT STRANGE PIN
BY n. CLYDE BUCKINGHAM.

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 30 appropriated 1t. In fact, II
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 a curiously wrought af-
fair, somewhat resembling an Egyp-
tan 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 cats-eyes of various shapes,
each weighing about a carat The
back was of gold, on which four let
tiers were engraved, IN. Y. M. 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
1t in her hat and wore 1t downtown.
The stores were unusually crowded,
so 1t was quite late before she finished
her shopping. Feeling hungry, she
went into small tea-room for some
hight 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-
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 lucki" she said,
then she followed her companion.
Mrs. Trenholm gasped
Have luck! l wonder who she
thought l was7 / declare. 1 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-
ful 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"
AOf course you donAt-exactIy know
me-" he answered quietly. "And I
don't believe ever had the pleasure
of seeing you before. But you want to
know me, don't your"
BY this time they had reached the
street, and were standing gazing in
tently at each other.
Il think / never heard of such ef-
frontery!" she said. Il want to know
you? WE'LL don't! Young man. you
have certainly made distressing mis-
take. l have a husband"
And with her head higher than
usual Mrs Trenholm hurried away
from 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.
7 want to apologize" he said. II
have indeed made a mistake. . am
not In the habit Of doing such things;
but saw the emblem, and supposed
had the right"
Before Mrs. Trenholm could reply,
he had left her and was walking rap
idly on in the direction Of the subway
station. Though trifie 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,
AlfredY"
Il don't know" her husband replied
Unless he could have referred to the
pin you found last night. Let's exam
fne It carefully"
The examination revealed nothing
Even the letters were of no signff-
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, 80
she was hurrying-when she heard a
man can: 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 wavering voice, that he tried to
make firm, he asked her where she
was going.
Don't you know you're the girl for
met" he continued. making a 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 1T tell you I did"
The pin was carefully examined
again that night, and Mr. Trenholm
now convinced that it was the cause
of the unpleasantness. appropriated
it.
Il shall feel much safer, Kitty" he
told her. If you will promise me not
to wear it again. am sure it is the
emblem of some secret society"
Perhaps 1t was left in the theater
as trap. 1 may be the person Sc
lected to shoot the president. Oh.
horriblel Do you suppose I am. Al
fred7"
Il hope mott" Mr.. Trenholm an
swered. Il like my wife far too well
to take any chances with her"
The next morning Mrs. Trenholm
was busy preparing breakfast In the
htchenette. when her husband arrived
ON the scene with the morning paper,
and a pleasant smile.
Can the cook spare minute from
the bacon to listen to unique adver-
tisement7r he asked.
Il think she can. II the indulgent
husband will forget to scoid II the
food is cooked too much" she laughed,
as she turned the gas down. What
new trick fs thisf-
She laid the smafl knife beside the
stove and walked over to her husband.
He put his arm around her and held
the paper with one hand while he