The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1920-04-08
COATS ! AND FUSES
BY LILLIAN M. RICHARDS.
t@. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.

breakfast table. IF you wanted
new fur coat, you wouldn't sit down
with pencil and pad to see whether
you could afford it or not, you'd sim
ply buy it, and then figure afterwards.
So. why can't do the same?"
But, darling" responded her hus-
band pleadingly, you know they're
terribly high just now. and they'll
surely take drop in price little
later. If you'd only watt
Waltz" exclaimed his wife on the
verge Of tears. "Thats all I hear,
wait I'll not wait!" Then she Topped
her napkin down on the table. For
once in my life I'm going to have what
l want, when I 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 whistling.
and that settled it. Before another
the street, and headed for Hayden's
department store.
After trying on several coats with
out finding one to 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
breathlessly. 49,.
"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 relieved look, Hazel
bid him good-by. She would have a
few days in which to wear her new
coat before he saw it. AS Ted Har-
low closed the door Of their apart
ment delivery boy opened the lower
hall door, with a box for his wife.
Hazel had wonderful time visiting
her friends, enveloped in her sealskin.
She was like 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. 1t
was the first year. he had neglected
! her, and it hurt. ''Serves me right, "
she thought, maybe he knows all, and
will never come back" Hazel began
to realize that Teds love and affec-
ton were worth more than dozen
fur coats. '''Why did go against his
wishes" she thought "when he plead
ed with me to waity'
The next day. tear-stained and
weary, with box under her arm, she
started in town for the store. J
give worn it several times" she ex-
planned to the clerk, "but I'll pay for
any damage if you'll only take it 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 q
| daZe. I:
| 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 it
belong to? Tired and weary, she
threw herself on the bed in flood of
| tears.
| When Ted Harlow came in that eve
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 hard
trip
! "Glad!" cried Hazel covering his
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
ventured:
Darling, I've, something awful to
tell you., II 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
cared enough about me to take 1t
back?"
'Y-yes." she half sobbed. Can
can you ever forgive me?"
| Forgive your exclaimed her hus-
band "I'm afraid I'm the one that's
to blame. You see, it was who sent
your coat back, and later bought it for
cash to give you as present. / in
tended to inclose my card with birth
| day greetings, but must have forgot