The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-03
THE LOST PIN
BY SHIRLEY MORRIS.
wv = . ~ ~ y w"
paper Syndicate)

tiously up and down the squalid
little street before venturing forth.
The house they were leaving bore on
a door plate the portentious words,
Mime Cecile. Psychologist Your Flu
ture Foretold."
Wasn't it a lark" cried Catherine
Barr I'm terribly anxious to know
who the light-haired Adonis is / am
to meet this summer, and, Peggy,
wasn't it wonderful what she told you
about the pin you got for Easter, and
how you'd lose it and have it returned
by your future husband?"
Yes" shivered Peggy. Il can't
get over it. While she was describing
it | felt as though her eyes were look
ing clear through me. You see,
have it on, pinned to my waist
The crowd separated.
Come along with me- Lois begged
Peggy. Il have to stop in Tukifs to
see about a brass candlestick for
mother"
Il can't today, dear! I've got to
dress and go to Graystone's to tea"
Tukifs seemed to be deserted, but
| finally an old man appeared, and after
Peggy stated her errand, he retreat
ed into the mysterious region in the
rear of the store from which he had
! emerged.
Peggy still feeling uncanny from
| her recent experience. had a sensa-
ton of unreality among the as
y 90 on,iopf
rios. She came to an old mirror and
stopped, regarding herself intently.
You big goose!" she said to the re-
Election in the glass, ito believe in
such nonsense as that old faker told
you! Take long walk before YOU
go home, and get it all out of your
] system"
She drew the pins out of her sailor
hat and started to gather In some of
the stray wisps of hair.
The street door opened and man
came in. Looking around hurriedly
for salesman he saw nobody at first,
then, spying girl in a recess pat
ting her hair. he gave a curt order:
Please tell Mr.. Tukif to deliver the
lamp ordered to this address" He
held out a card and Peggy took it
impassively. or course he thought
her saleswoman, but what difference
did 1t make.
The customer turned to leave, but
he hestated, and looked deep into the
serious blue eyes. The eyes returned
the look calmly and cOolly
There was no excuse for staying,
so he went, but passing the chair in
which Peggy had been sitting he
stopped and picked up something.
Peggy looked at the card and read:
Mr. Cyrus Harding Riverside drive. y
The old man returned just then
Peggy delivered the card and mes
sage. completed the business upon
which she had come and left the store
Outside, she slipped her hand under
her jacket to reassure herself that hel
new diamond pin was safe, But tC
her dismay it was gone.
Then it popped into her head that
the customer who gave her the mes
sage had picked something up anc
put it into his pocket.
She hurried out and called a taxi.
At the Riverside drive house, a Jap
anese servant answered her ring. Mr.
Harding had just returned.
She was ushered into a sitting room
, a wonderful combination of black. ole
gold and blue.
, And then Mr.. Harding pulled aside
, a portiere and stepped into the room
; He recognized her instantly, but i
p he was surprised he gave no sign.
? How do you do?" he said courte
ously -interrogatively, for her visi
puzzled him.
Good afternoon" choked Peggy
Twelve come for the pin you
> found" with a little deprecating ges
ture.
PIN"
Yes. The pin you picked up il
y the shop"
He frowned. Il don't seem to TN
;. derstand. | didn't find a pin"
Put you picked up something
Don't you remember-right in front o
!, that lockwood chair earnestly
Yes. see now. But | didn't know
you wanted it so much or | shoult
q have returned it. ] really didn't thinl
:, il so very valuable and wanted il
, No matter why! ! didn't know wha
q you meant when you spoke of pin
4 / would have given il another name
II Here it is"
@ His hand went into his pocket AM
q he held out a tiny tortoise shell comb
the mate of one in her hair.
e Peggy flushed furiously.
rs that what you found?"
Yes. Isn't il what you came for?
No! You sell lost a pin,
diamond pin today. don't work il
the store. You made mistake.
. was in seeing about candlestick, ant
= / lost my pin. Then J rememberet
=. seeing you find something, and re
calling your address, / came RICH
=. away / am very sorry and beg you
pardon. Good afternoon.
a But" he intercepted hastily. III
q like to help you find your pin! You're
\ sure it's gonel"
< Why. y~2, I think ! am. running
o an invcs. -ating hand over her waist
d Then something dropped to the rug
;. and Cyrus Harding picked it up.
n The pin, cried Peggy with delight
n What a goose I've been
4 A very charming goose whose mis-
: fortune has been my gain
g ind as IL turned OFT Tie fortune tell
@ or was right. for Peggy lid marry tn,
nan who returned her pin.