The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-02-18
Loose Change
h L HOLDEN
(Copyrignt.l

disappeared from Hcr
Mrs. Hoy had a sudden inspiration.
She flew across the room to the
dresser.
After rummagin. for u few seconds
pocketbook.
She cleared a corner Of the drawer.
and into 1t dumped the contents. the
bills and loose change Of the pocket
bO0..
She picked out from the loose
change. TWO quarters, TWO dimes, and
u nickel.
These she returned to the pocket
book in her hand.
1.-TWO quarters, two tens. and q five"
size counted, before shutting the
pocketbook; that's enough bait. Now
to see if l can catch my Ash"
IL the p~OcketboOk disappeared, she
would have proof positive that Della,
the maid. was the guilty q
She laid ii on the sideboard.
Just ut this point her train Of
thought vas interrupted by the ar
rival Of her husband.
Luncheon was al unusually silent
and hurried meal.
immediately after luncheon Mr.. Hoy
hurried away.
FIN sorry, Hester" he said; as he
was leaving, "but III be late tonight"
"How little he suspects" Hester
slu. the door slowly behind him.
About six o'clock a a 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 be thankful" he sighed, AZ he sank
into the nearest chair.
1t was kenton Hoy.
II, who never lost as much as a
nickel before he exclaimed jrritably.
Losing 4 p%ocketbook with twenty-five
dollars is something Of a blow"
''Pshaw." he added quickly, II
haven't lost 1t. I've just mislaid 1t
somewhere. II. ga
"And it must be found before Hester
gets home"
After Ave minutes Of frenzied
search. Mr.. Hoy paused for breath.
But there's Delia." n sudden
thought striking him. Della might
nave 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 lateyI,
"We-you see, l-er-got through
early. after ALL" replied Mr.. Hoy.
"Well. I'm thankful you did" said
Mrs. Hoy. "for we'll have to 10 out
to dinner tonight" q u.., !
60 cut to dinner:" asked Mr.. Hoy
family. "a
"Delia's gone" announced Mrs, Hoy
shortly. ty,
Gone" gasped Mr.. Hoy.
"Yes; co,ne on. and I'll tell You rs
we 90 a'cng." ,. !.
MIR. Hoy did some rapid thinking.
He had in his pocket just seventy-ive
cents in change.
All the way down, the 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 arnes the part
he had lust been rchearsing.,s
His look Of startled surprise. as his
hand came out empty from his pocket,
vas perfect.
The head waiter came hnrrying up.
"What's the matter? Something
lOstw he asked hurriedly.
my pocketbook. It's gone" an
swered Mr.. Hoy truthfully.
Then he glanced swiftly at his wife.
1t was now up to her.
Don't make such a ~scene." his wife
whispered hurriedly. "Ihave enough"
Mr.. Hoy could scarcely refrain xrom
dancing down the room to stAe table
where they were to eat.
'Tell me about losing Your pocket.
book" suggested Mrs. Hoy, as soon az
they had given their order. s. ts
"You saw what happened" 1t was
all MI. Hoy could do to keep from
smiling. Probably some one In the
car-er-must have"
''rfen. how do you account foz
thisY" and his wife laid on the table,
between them. the lost pocketbook.
Observation-Disclosures" stammered
Kenton Hoy.
ON the floor In front Of your chif-
fonfer this morniss, just after you
left" replied Mrs. Hoy.
"a fair exchange ID no robbery
he smiled. as his hand, in restoring the
lost pocketbook to its usual place IN
his pocket, came In contact with q
| small. fiat object.
Pulling it out of his pocket. he tossed
II across the table to- his wife.
MY pecketbook. screamed Mrs
Hoy 70 loud that tahe diners at the
other tables turned to see what had