Graham guardian., 1921-05-20
COATS AND FUSSES
BY LILCIAN M. RICHARDS.

W. -" ~ '''S'ure Newspaper Syndicate }
"Now, You listen to me, Mr.. Ted
Harlow" demanded his wife one
morning as they were seated nj tho
breakfast table, "If you wanted n
new fur coaI you wouldn't sit down
with pencil and pad to see whether
you could afford II or not. you'd sim
ply buy it. and then figure afterwards
So, why cant do the same?"
but. darling" responded her hus.
band pleadingly, "you know they're
terribly high just now, and theyu
surely take drop In price a little
later If you'd only wait"
"Wait =" exclaimed his wife on the
verge of tears, "Thats all I hear
wait III not walt" Then she flopped
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 rage. Her
unEovenable temper had been The
c'Hse OF much repentance on her part.
many times, In Il few minutes she
heard Ted 20 ont Of the door whistling,
and that settled 1t. 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 Hudson
seal, with skunk trimming. a
How much is IT." she inquired
breathleSsly,
"Just five hundred" replied the girl.
MS 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 lie 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 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 hoy opened the lower
hall door. with box for his wife.
Hazel bad wonderful time visiting
her friends, enveloped In her sealskin.
She was like child with 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 n present. IT
was the first year he had neglected
her. and il hurt. "Serves me right"
she thought, maybe he knows all, and
will never come hack" Hazel began
TO realize that Ted's love and atfec-
tion were worth more than dozen
fur coats. "NNhy did | go against his
wishes !" she thought, "when he plead
ed with me to waltz"
The next day, tear-stained and
weary, with box under her arm, she
started in town for the store.
"I've worn 1t several times" she ex-
planned to the clerk. "but I'll pay for
any damage If you'll only take 1t back
md 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
n telegram stating that her husband
would return that evening, her brain
was in q. 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 sweeA heart" !" he ex-
rluimcd. giving her II fond embrace;
glad TO see me back? I've had hard
trip"
"Gnd" cried Hazel, covering hi
racc ith kisses. Tied. I've missed
YOU terribly" You'd think they'd never
spoken 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 n fur coat and
they won't take II 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 II
back?"
"Y-yeS" she half sOhhed. "Can--
can YOU ever forgive mc?"
"Forgive your exclaimed her hus-
band. I'm afraid I'm the one that's