The herald., 1921-03-10
COATS AND FUSES
BY LILLIAN M. RICHARDS.

morning as they were seated at the
breakfast table. IF you wanted
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 hus-
band pleadingly, 'you know they're
terribly high Just now, and they'll
surely take drop in price a little
later. II you'd only wait"
await p" exclaimed his wife on the
verge Of tears. That's all I hear.
wait I'll not waltz" Then she Topped
her napkin down on the table. For
once in my life I'm going to have what
want, when I want it." And she hur-
ried out Of the room.
Hazel Harlow was in 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 whistllng'
and that settled It. 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 to suit. she became
discouraged and was about to leave,
when the clerk brought out a Hudson
seal, with skunk trimming.
"How much Is 1T" she inquired
breathlessly.
"Just FIVE hundred" replied the girl,
as II she were saying FIVE cents.
"Five hundredw repeated Hazel
thoughtfully. That was a 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
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
few days In which to wear her new
coat before he saw II. 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, enveloped in her sealskin.
She was like child with a new play
thing. But, when the newness wore
or 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. 1t
was the first year he had neglected
her, and 1t hurt. SERVES me right"
she thought, maybe he knows all, and
viii never come back" Hazel began
to realize that Ted's love and affec-
ton were worth more than a dozen
fur coats. "Why did go against his
wishes" she thought, when he plead
ed with me to waltz
The next day, tear-stained and
weary, with q box under her arm, she
started In town for the store.
sTve worn 1t several times" she ex-
planned to the clerk. 'but I'll pay for
any damage II 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"
'Returnedl" gasped Hazel, incredu.
lously. '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.
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 do
How could she ever explain? II the
coat was not hers, then whom did II
belong tor Tired ana weary, sht
threw herself on the bed In flood Of
tears.
When Ted Harlow came In that eve
ming the soft, red glow Of the foo
lamp helped to hide the swollen eye
and worried expression Of his wife.
"Hello, little sweetheartw he ex
claimed, giving her fond embrace
sgiad to see me backi I've had a hart
trip"
"Glady cried Hazel. covering hi
face with kisses. "Ted. I've misset
You terribly" You'd think they'd neve
spoken a cross word.
Later, as they sat In front Of tn
cracking logs In the fireplace, Haze
ventured:
'Darling, I've something awful +
tell you. IL bought a far coat ant
they won't take 1t back" Then trem
bling, she outlined her predicament.
'Hazel. dear" said Ted, soothingiy
after she had finished, you rsall,
cared enough about me 30 take I
backf"
"Y-yes," she half sobbed Can
can you ever forgive mer'
"Forgive your exclaimed her hus
band. "Tm afraid I'm the one that
to blame. You see, It was I who sen
your coat back, and later bought 1t 70
cash to give you as a present. IN
tended to inclose my card with birth
day greetings. but must have forgot
ten. That's why asked you to wait.