Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-03-18
How They Became
Acquainted
By MAY c. ETHERIDCE

NO reply.
whats the matter?"
Without turning she pointed to the
bureau. Her husband went to it. and
there lay an envelope, unaddressed.
He took from it a bit of tissue paper
neatly folded. Opening the paper, he
uncovered a strand of hair arranged
In circular form and fastened with a
bit of very narrow blue ribbon.
well" he said, what about it,
What about it?' rising and facing
him. Il found it in the pocket of
your overcoat that you left for me to
put away for the season."
"My Overcoat"
Eyes, your overcoat."
How did it get there?'
Don't ask me how it got there. You
doubtless know how it got there"
"Do you mean to tell me that you
found that in my overcoat pocketT"
81 do"
"Where's the cOatY
There" pointing to closet.
Mr. Tinkham opened closet door
and took from it his winter overcoat
He had bought it at Stevenson's. 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 be had not exchanged
coats with any one. And yet such an
exchange was possible He had lunch
ed at a restaurant. and waiter had
L.
who had bought 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 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 a
fool of herself, but come back and
help him solve the mystery. She did
not heed him.
Mr.. Tinkham debated what he should
do, then sat down to dinner, hoping
that his wife would come back be-
fore he had finished. She did not
come. and after vainly trying to make
out a dinner he arose from the table.
put on his hat and overcoat and went
out intending to go to the restaurant
where he had lunched and try to dis
cover if any one had exchanged coats
with him
Mrs. Tinkham, nursing her wrath.
walked aimlessly about for awhile,
when she began to feel faint FOR want
of sustenance Too proud or too vim
dictive TO return to 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-
rected her steps While sitting at
table a handsome young man stepped
up to her. bowed politely and said:
us this Mrs Tinkham?"
1T is"
1.-The proprietor has told me that he
has seen you here with your husband.
l lunched 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 it
proved to have Mr. Tinkham's name
on it. This | discovered only half an
hour ago and came here to learn where
l could find Mr.. Tinkham."
The young man held up the counter
part of the coat from which Mrs. Tink-
ham had taken the lock of hair. Mrs.
Tinkham asked him a few questions
about the coat. and while she was do
ing so the young man dropped into
seat opposite her.
Meanwhile Mr. Tinkham, who had
been approaching. entered the restau
rant at the same time as young
and pretty woman. The lady spied
Mrs. Tinkham and the young man sit
ting at the same table and. with fire
In her eye, approached them. Mr.. Tink
ham. too. saw his wife and followed
the lady.
''Ths is the way you are detained
ut business" said the latter. land break
your engagements! Please understand
that all is off between u.s."
And this is the way" cried a voice
behind her, addressing Mrs. Tinkham.
that you contrive to meet a lover! A
clever device to put lock Of hair in
my pocket and then f1ource out of the
house to come here to keep an appoint
ment"
"a lock of hair!" exclaimed Mrs
Tinkham's companion. did I leave a
lock Of hair in the coatY
Whose hair?" cried the young lady
vociferously
Yours" snapped the young man.
Excuse me. ladies and gentlemen"
said the proprietor. who, hearing the
wrangle. approached. 81 can have no
quarreling in my restaurant"
After considerably more talk the
matter was finally explained. where
upon Mr.. Tinkham proposed that they