The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1915-03-13
How They Became
Acquainted
By MAY c. ETHERIDCE

his wife listened fG% him to come home
after business and either met him IA
4he hall or called for him to come up
stairs for the connubial kiss. Today
ghe did neither Mr. Tlnkham, hear
ing or seeing nothing of her, went III
TO her bedroom. She was sitting be
fore the window with her back to him
my dear" he said, and paused.
No reply.
whats the matterT'
Without turning she pointed to the
bureau. Her husband went to 1t. anO
there lay an envelope, unaddressed
he took from it n bit of tissue paper
neatly folded. Opening the paper. he
uncovered a strand Of hair arranged
In circular form and fastened with u
Bit OF very narrow blue ribbon.
well" he said. what about itT'
What about it?' rising and facing
him Il found 1t I'm the pocket vi
your overcOat that you left for me to
put away for the season"
'Nly overcoatT"
"Yes. yOnr overcoat."
"HOw did IL get thereT'
Don't ask me how 1t got there. Yon
doubtless know how 1t got there"
"Do you mean TO tell me that yon
found that in my overcoat pocket?"
IL do
"Where's the coat?"
There" pointing to a closet
Mr. Tinkham opened a closet door
and took from II his winter Overcoal
BE had bought il at Stevenson 8. ready
made 1t was the same pattern as the
one he had purchased, and the max
er's name was ON the back. He was
convinced that he had not exchanged
coarS with any one And yet such an
exchange was possible He had lunch
ed at restaura {, and waiter had
hung his coat on a hook. Some one
who had bought a suit from Steven
sons made from the same goods
might have got the Tinkham coat, and
Tinkham might have got the un
knOwn's coat Mr. Tinkham gave this
explanation to his wife as a possible
solution
1t did not work
Without making any reply Mrs. Tink
ham put on her wraps and sailed down
stairs and out of the house. Her hus
band called after her not to make Il
fool of herself. but come back and
help him solve the mystery. She did
mol heed him
Mr. Tinkhlm debated what he should
do, then sat down to dinner. hoping
that his wife would come back he
fore he had finished. She did not
come, and after vainly trying to make
Out dinner he arose from the table
pur on his nat and overcoat and went
out intending 10 go to the restaurant
where he mad lunched and try to dis
cover If any one had exchanged coats
with him
Mrs Tinkham, nursing her wrath
walked aimIeSSly about for awhile
when she began TO feel faint for want
of sustenance Too proud or too vim
dictive 70 return 10 her home. she
went to restaurant to get cup OF
tea There was one best restaurant In
the town. where she had often been
with her husband. and thither she di
Fected her steps. While sitting at a
table handsome young man stepped
mp 10 her. bowed politely and said:
rs this Mrs Tinkham?"
"It is"
THE proprietor has told me that be
has seen you here with your husband
j Iunched here today, and when left
a waiter handed me my coat. Happen
ing To put my hand in my pocket |
felt a paper, and on examination II
proved to have Mr.. Tinkham's name
on II This | discovered only half an
hour ago and came here TO learn where
could find AIR. Tinkham."
The yohng man held up the counter
part Of the coat from which Mrs. link
ham had taken the lock of hair. Mrs
Tinkham asked him few questions
ahOnt the coat. and while she was do
tne so the young man dropped into
seat opposite her.
Meanwhile Mr. Tfnkham. who had |
been approaching. entered the restau I
rant al the same time as a young
and pretty woman. The lady spied !
Mrs Tinkham and the young man sit
ting al the same table and. with fire
In her eye. approached them. Mr. link
ham too. saw his wife and followed
the lady.
This is the way you are detained
ar business" said the latter. land break
your engagements! Please understand
that all is off between u.s."
And this Is the way" cried voice
behind her. addressing Mrs. Tinkham.
''that you contrive to meet a lover.
clever device TO put lock of hair In
my pocket aud then flounce out OF the
house to come here to keep an appoint
ment."
"A lock OF hairw exclaimed Mrs Il
Tinkham's companion. did | leave q
3Ock OF hair In the cOatT'
Whose hair?" cried the young lady