Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-06-02
COATS AND FUSSES
BY LILLIAN N. RICHARDS.

Il
Harlow" demanded his wife, one
morning as they were seated at the
| breakfast table. IF you wanted q
new fur coat, you wouldn't sit down
with pencil and pad 10 see whether
/ you could afford Il or not. you'd sltn.
/ ply buy II. and then figure afterwards.
So. why can't | do the sameT'
But, darling" responded her hus.
band pleadlngly. you know they're
terribly high JUS, now. and they'll
surely take drop In price little
later. II you'd only watt
wait ~ exclaimed his wife on the
verge Of tears That's nh hear.
wait III not watt + Then she Topped
her napkin down on the table. "For
once in my life I'm going 70 have Whist
! want, when want 1T And she hur-
ried out OF the room.
Hazel Harlow was In a rage. Her
ungoyernable temper had been the
cause Of much repentance on her part.
many times. In few minutes she
heard Ted 20 out OF the door whlstiing.
and that settled II. Before another
hour had passed. she was dressed for
the street. and headed for Hayden's
department store.
After trying on several coats with.
out finding one 10 suit. she became
discouraged and WAS about to leave.
when the clerk brought out Hudson
seal. with skunk trimming.
How much IS it?" she inquired
hreathiessly.
AUST Eve hundred" replied the girl.
as II she were saying i've cents
"Five hundred. :" repeated Hazel
thoughtfully. That was a great deal
more than she had intended paying.
That evening the Hariow's were
hardly on speaking terms. you know.
one OF those chilly sort Of affairs. The
next morning Ted Informed his wife
that he would be leaving at noon on
business trip. which would necessi-
tate his absence for several days. Al
though. he'd try and return for her
birthday. With a relieved look. Hazel
bid him good-by. She would have n
few days in which to wear her new
coat before he saw H. As Ted Har.
low closed the door Of their apart.
ment. a delivery boy opened the lower
hall door. with box for his wife.
Hazel had a wonderful time visiting
her friends. developed In her sealshin.
She was like a child with a new play
thing. But, when the newness wore
of she realized the folly Of her hasty
decision. and wondered what she
would do II Ted really couldn't afford
such an expensive coat.
Finally her birthday came and went
with no Ted. not even a present. /,
was the first year he had neglected
her. and II hurt. Serves me right"
she thought. maybe he knows all. and
will never come hack" Hazel began
20 realize that Ted's love and afec-
ton were worth more than dozen
fur coats. 'why did 20 against his
wishes" she thought. when he plead.
ed with me 20 waltz
The next day. tear-sfained and
weary. with a box under her arm. she
started In town for the store.
tive worn II several times" she ex-
planned TO the clerk. but I'll pay for
any damage II youn only take II back
and credit my account"
why. Mrs Harlow said the girl.
with look OF surprise. '-the coat you
bought was returned"
Returned" gnsped Hazel. Incredu.
iously. There must be some mis-
take"
As the clerk came from the office
with the information that her account
was In balance, and the coat had been
sold TO another customer, Hazel, stu
carrying the box. left the store In a
daze.
When she reached home and found
a telegram stating that her husband
would return that evening, her brain
was In a whirl What would she dof
How could she ever explainf II the
coat was not hers. then whom did II
belong tor Tired and weary. she
threw herself on the bed In food Of
tears.
When Ted Harlow came In that eve
ming the soft. red glow Of the floor
lamp helped to hide the swollen eyes
and worried expression of his wife.
Hello. little sweetheart r he ex-
claimed. giving her fond embrace:
glad TO see me backf I've had a hard
trip"
"Glad!" cried Hazel. covering nj,
face with kisses Ted. I've missed
you terribly" You'd think they'd never
spoken a cross word
Later, as they sat In front OF the
cracking logs in the fireplace. Hazel
venrured:
Darling. i've something awful TO
ter you. II bought a fur coat and
they won't take II hack" Then trem-
bling. she outlined her predicament.
Hazel dear" said Ted, soothlngly.
after she had finished. you really
cared enough abouf me to take II
hackT'
Yves" she half sofbed .Can-