Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-02-19
How They Became
Acquainted
BY MAY c. ETHERIDCE

VIZ N"' W Sniieu lOi ulu 10 come up-
stairs for the connubial kiss Today
she did neither Mr.. Tlnkham, hea r.
Ing or seeing nothing OF her, went I'D
to her bedroom. She was sitting b.-
fore the window with her back to him.
My dear" he said, and paused.
No reply.
whats the matter7"
Without turning she pointed to the
bureau. Her husband went to it, and
there lay an envelope, unaddressed.
He took from 1t a bit of tissue paper
neatly folded. Opening the paper, he
uncovered strand of hair arranged
In circular form and fastened with
bit OF very narrow blue ribbon.
WELL" he said, what about itr'
What about itT' rising and facing
him. II found 1t In the pocket Of
your overcoat that you left for me to
put away for the season"
my overcoatT
Yes, your overcoat"
How did II get thereT'
Don't ask me how 1t got there You
doubtless know how II got there"
DO you mean to tell me that you
found that in my overcoat pocketr'
81 do"
where's the coatr'
There" pointing to closet.
Mr.. Tinkham opened closet dool
and took from 1t 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
ha
convinced that he had not exchanged
coats with any one And yet such an
exchange was possible He had lunch
ed at restaurant, and a waiter had
hung his coat on hook. Some one
who had bought suit from Steven
sons, made from the same goods,
might have got the Tinkham coat, and
Ttnkham might have got the IN
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 bus
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 dinner he arose from the table,
put on his nat 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 ner wrath.
walked nmlessly about for awhile,
when she began to feel faint foI want
of Sustenance Too proud uI too vim
dictiVe 10 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 Il handsome young man stepped
up to her. bowed politely and said:
is this Mrs Tinkham?
lit is
ut Iiblhfttoi IuS lDIu lie tuuI ue
has seen yon here with your husband
lunched here today, and when | left
waiter handed me my coat Happen
Ing to put my hand in my pocket, |
felt paper. and on examination 1t
proved to have Mr.. Tinkham's name
on IL This | discovered only half an
hour ago and came here TO learn where
| 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 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 nj the same time ms a 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 follower
the lady
This is the way you are detained
at business. said the latter, and 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.
clever device to put lock OF hair In
my pocket and then hounce out OF the
house to come here TO keep an appoint
ment"
"A lock of hair!' exclaimed Mrs
companion. did leave
lock OF hair In the cOat?"
Whose hair?" cried the young lady
Yours" snapped the young man.
Excuse me- ladies and gentlemen"
said the proprietor. who. hearing the
approached. Il can have no