Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-06-18
COATS AND FUSES
BY LILLIAN NJ. RICHARDS.

tsh 1873, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Now. you listen to me, Mr.. Ted
Harlow" demanded his wife. one
morning as they were seated at the
breakfast table. IF you wanted a
new fur coat, you wouldn't sit down
with pencil and pad to see whether
you could afford II or not. you'd sim.
ply buy 1t, and then figure afterwards.
SO, why can't | do the same?"
But darling" responded her nus.
band pleadingly, you know they're
terribly high just now. and they'll
surely take a drop in price a little
later. If you'd only wait"
Wait 7" exclaimed his wife on the
verge of tears. That's all hear.
wait. TIL not wait!" Then she Topped
her napkin down on the table. "For
once in my life I'm going to have what
want, when want it," And she hur-
ried out of the room.
Hazel Harlow was In a rage. Her
ungovernable temper had been the
cause Of much repentance on her part.
many times. In a few minutes she
heard Ted go out of the door whisting.
and that settled it. Before another
hour had passed, she was dressed for
the street, and headed for Bayden's
department store.
After trying on several coats with
out finding one to suit. she became
discouraged and was about to leave
yt-hn he alo IL I, II
seal, with skunk trimming.
How much is it?" she inquired
hreathlessiy.
Just five hundred replied the girl.
as If she were saying five cents.
Five hundred" repeated Hazel
thoughtfully. That was great deal
more than she had intended paying
That evening the Harlow'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 a
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 goodAby. She would have a
few days in which to wear her new
coat before he saw 1t. AS Ted Har-
low closed the door of their apart
rhent, delivery boy opened the lower
hall door. with box for his wife.
Hazel had.a wonderful time visiting
her friends, enveloped In her sealskin.
She was like a child with a new play
thing. But when the newness wore
off she realized the folly of her hasty
decision, and wondered what she
would do If Ted really couldn't afford
such an expensive coat.
Finally her birthday came and went,
with no Ted, not even a present. It
was the first year he had neglected
her, and 1t hurt. SERVES me right, ;"
she thought, maybe he knows all, and
will never come back" Hazel began
to realize that Ted's love and affec-
tion were worth more than a dozen
fur coats. "Why did go against his
Wishes" she thought. "when he plead
ed with me to waltz"
AhC hCAb duJI lCdl duu
weary, with box under her arm, she
started in town for the store.
"Ive worn 1t several times" she ex-
planned to the clerk, "but I'll pay for
any damage If you'll only take 1t back.
and credit my account"
"Why, Mrs. Harlow" said the girl,
with look of surprise, "the coat you
bought was returned"
Returned gasped Hazel incredu-
lousy. 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, still
carrying the box. left the store in
daze.
When she reached home and found
telegram stating that her husband
would return that evening, her brain
was in a whirl. What would she do?
How could she ever explain? If the
coat was not hers, then whom did II
belong to? 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" he ex-
claimed. giving her fond embrace;
'glad to see me back? I've had a hard
trip"
"Glad !" cried Hazel, covering hi,
fare with kisses. Tied I've missed
you terribly You'd think they'd never
spoken a cross word
zIaatersAas they sat in front of the
cracking, logssjn the fireplace, Hazel
ventureds s@sY
''DarlingEPve something awful to
tell you. IL bought fur coat and
they won't take it back" Then trem-
bling. she outlined her predicament.
Hazel. dear" said Ted, soothingly,
after she had finished. you really
earad nuouuh about mo RI taka ~