The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-01-06
They Became
Acquainted
By MAY c. ETHERlDGE


my DEAR" he said, and paused.
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 1t bit Of tissue paper
neatly folded. Opening the paper, he
uncovered strand Of hair arranged
in circular form and fastened with q
bit Of very narrow blue ribbon.
"Well," he said, "what about it?"
"What about it?'' rising and facing
him. II 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 thereT'
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
II do"
"Where's the coatY'
There" pointing to closet.
L. L
and took from 1t his winter overcoat
He had bought 1t 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 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
Tinkham might have got the IN
knOwn's coat Mr.. Tinkham gave this
explanation to his wife as possible
solution.
It 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 vainIy trying to make
out 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 II 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 Ut
tea, There was one best restaurant In
the town, where she had often been
with her husband. and thither she df:
rected her steps. While sitting ut a
table handsome young man stepped
up to her. bowed politely and said:
us this Mrs. Tinkham?"
ut is
1.-THE proprietor has told me that be
has seen you 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 It
proved to have Mr.. Tinkham's name
on it. This discovered only half an
hour ago and came here to learn where
could end 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 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
ID her eye, approached them. Mr.. Tink-
ham, too. saw his wife and followed
the lady.
.This Is the way you are detained
at business" said the latter. land break
your eUSUEeIueutb1 - Icaoc uHOCi SItA"N
that all L. OF between u.s."
,...And this Is the way" cried voice
behind her, addressing Mrs. Tinkham,
..'that you contrive to meet lover! A
clever device to put lock of hair IN
my pocket and then 6ounce out of the
house to come here to keep an appoint.
nent."
"a lock Of hair!'' exclaimed Mrs.
Tinkhams companion. Did leave a
)ock Of hair In the coat?'
Whose hair?' cried the young lady
y vocifer0usly.
yours, snapped the young man.
Excuse me, ladies' and gentlemen"
said the proprietor. who, hearing the
wrangle, approached. II can have no
i quarrellng IN my restaurant"
After considerably more talk the
matter was finally explained. where
y npon MI. Tinkham proposed that they
! ail" have dinner together. The young
q e