The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-06-21
THE LOST PIN
BY SHIRLEY MORRIS.
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndlcate)


The house they were leaving bore on
a door plate the portentious words,
Nine. 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" shiyered 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, l
have it on, pinned to my waist.
The crowd separated.
Come along with me, Lois begged
Peggy. Il have to stop in Tukif's 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.
semblage OF ancient and oriental Gu.
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 a 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 a man
came in. Looking around hurriedly
for a salesman, he saw nobody at first
then. spying a 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 il
| impassively. OF course he thought
her a saleswoman, but what difference
did It make.
The customer turned to leave. bu
he hesitated, 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 il
\ which Peggy had been sitting, h'
stopped and picked up something.
Peggy looked at the card and read
Mr. Cyrus Harding-Riverside drive.
The old man returned just then
Peggy delivered the card and mes
sage, completed the business upol
| which she had come and left the store
| Outside, she slipped her hand unde
her jacket to reassure herself that he
| new diamond pin was safe. But t
her dismay it was gone.
Then it popped into her head tina
the customer who gave her the mes
sage had picked something up an
| put it into his pocket.
! She hurried out and called a taxi.
At the Riverside drive house, Jar
| anese servant answered her ring. Nj
Harding had Just returned.
She was ushered into a sitting room
wonderful combination of black, oil
gold and blue.
And then Mr.. Harding pulled asid
a portiere and stepped into the room
He recognized her instantly, but
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 yo
found" with little deprecating ge:
ture.
"Pin?"
Yes. The pin you picked up i
the shop"
He frowned Il don't seem to III
derstand. l didn't find a pin"
puI SOu piChtu up oOLuSlHlut
Don't you remember-right in front c
that teakwood chair" earnestl,
Yes, see now. But | didn't kno'
you wanted it so much or l shoul
have returned it. ] really didn't thin
it so very valuable and wanted i
No matter why! l didn't know wha
you meant when you spoke of PHI
l would have given it another nam,
| Here it is"
His hand went into his pocket an
he held out tiny tortoise shell coml
the mate Of one in her hair.
Peggy flushed furiously.
, rs that what you found?"
Yes. Isn't it what you came for?
T mo! You sell lost a pin,
diamond pin today. l don't work 1
2 the store. You made a mistake.
was in seeing about candlestick, an
| lost my pin. Then l remembers
seeing you find something, and r,
calling your address, l came rigf
away. am very sorry and | beg you
pardon. Good afternoon"
J But" he intercepted hastily. or
like to help you find your pin, Your
sure it's gone!"
why. yes! l think | am" runnin
an investigating hand over her wais
Then something dropped to the rui
| and Cvruo HARDING D;olod a, 49,