The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-02-18
- 49,
Loose Change
b. HELEN HOLDEN
Copyright.

disappeared from her BOULDER.
Mrs. Hoy had 4 sudden inspiration.
She flew across the room to the
dresser.
After rummagin. for a few seconds
she brought to light u long, narrow
i,ocketbook.
She cleared q corner Of the drawer.
and into 1t dumped the contents, the
bills and loose change Of the pocket
bOO..
SHE picked out from the loose
change. two quarters. two dimes. and
4 nickel.
These she returned to the pocket
book in her hand.
1.-TWO quarters, two tens. and q five"
she counted, before shutting the
pOcketbook that's enough bait. Now
to see if l can catch my Ash"
II the pOcketboOk Disappeared. she
would have proof positive that Della,
the maid. was the guilty one.
She laid 1t on the sideboard.
Just at this point her train Of
thought was interrupted by the ar
rival Of her husband.
Luncheon was al unusually silent
and hurried meal.
Immediately after luncheon Mr.. Hoy
hurried away.
'Im sorry, Hester" he said: as he
was leaving. but III be late tonight"
"How little he suspects" Hester
xl,us the door slowly behind him.
About six o'clock a man stood out
side the Hoy apartment. NOiselessly
he fitted a key in the lock and gently
Dushed the door open.
There's still something for which
to he thankful" he sighed. as he sank
into the nearest chair.
1t was kenton Hoy.
II, who never lost rs much as a
nickel before" he exclaimed irritably.
Losing a pocketbook with twenty-five
dollars is something Of a blow.
"Pshaw." he added quickly, II
haven't lost It. I've just mislaid it
somewhere. IL.
And it must be found before Hester
gets home"
After Ave minutes Ut frenzied
search. MI. Hoy paused for breath.
but there's Della \ sudden
thought striking him. Della might
have picked It up while busting round
and tucked 1t away somewhere,
Goodness. gracious me, kenton
Hoy. how you scared me-" exclaimed
Mrs. Hoy, letting herself in suddenly
at the front door. II thought you
weren't coming home till lates;
"We-you see. I-er-got through
early. after ALL" replied Mr.. Hoy.
"Well. I'm thanks Gu, you did," said
Mrs. Hoy. for we'll have TO 10 out
to dinner tonight" a us S,
Go cut to dinner:" asked Mr.. Hoy
family. sr
"Delia's gone" announced Mrs, Hoy
shortly. .t..
Gone" gasped Mr.. Hoy.
YES; coaue ~. and Ill tell yuu rs
we 80 a,cng." ii:
Mr.. Hoy did some rapid thinking.
He had in his pocket just seventy-tive
cents in change.
All the way down. the car was
crowded.
Mr.. hoy found himself helping his
wife out of the car. across the street.
and into the restaurant. s.s..s., !
Before he had time TO think further.
he was beginning in + the part
he had just been rchearsing.,s.
His look Of startled surprise. as his
| hand came out empty from his pocket.
was perfect.
The head waiter came hurrying up.
"What's the matter? Something
lost ?" he asked hurriedly.
my pocketbook. It's gone" an
swered Mr.. Hoy truthfully.
Then he glanced swiftly at his wife,
II was now up to her.
Don't make such a scene" his wife
whispered hurriedly. Il have enough
Mr.. Hoy could scarcely refrain <rom
| dancing down the room to stAe table
where they were to eat.
''Tell me about losing your pocket.
book" suggested Mrs. Hoy, Al soon az
they had given their order.
"You saw what happened" 1t was
all Mr.. Hoy could do to keep from
| smiling. Probably some one in the
car-er-must have"
'"rhen. how do you account foz
| thisy' and his wife laid OF the table
between them, the lost pocketbook.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS" stammered
sKenton Hoy.
.'On the floor In front Of your chff.
| fonfer this morning. Just after you
left" replied Mrs. Hoy.
"A fair exchange fs no robbery
he smiled. as his hand, In restoring the
lost ~pocketbook to its usual place ii
his pocket, came in contact with Z
| small. fiat object.
Pulling 1t ont Of his pocket. he tossed
It across the table to- his wife.
MY pocketbook !" screamed Mrs
Hoy SO loud that. ithe diners at. the
other tables turned to see what had
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