exasperated sister.
"And I shall just have to pay for a hat that I can never wear."

"Mother, I appeal to you," said the son earnestly. "Don't allow Cornelia
to speak of the hat to the girl. I wouldn't have such an injustice done in
our house. The hat will turn up soon if you just go about the matter
calmly. You'll find it quite naturally and unexpectedly, perhaps. Any way,
if you don't, I'll pay for the hat, rather than have the girl suspected."

"But, Tryon," protested his mother, "if she isn't honest, you know we
wouldn't want her about."

"Honest, Mother? She's as honest as the day is long. I am certain of
that."

The mother rose reluctantly.

"Well, we might let it go another day," she consented. Then, looking up at
the sky, she added, "I wonder if it is going to rain. I have a Reciprocity
meeting on for to-day, and I'm a delegate to some little unheard-of place.
It usually does rain when one goes into the country, I've noticed."

She went into the hall, and presently returned with a distressed look upon
her face.

"Tryon, I'm afraid you're wrong," she said. "Now my rain-coat is missing.
My new rain-coat! I hung it up in the hall-closet with my own hands, after
it came from the store. I really think something ought to be done!"

"There! I hope you see!" said Cornelia severely. "I think it's high time
something was done. I shall 'phone for a detective at once!"

"Cornelia, you'll do nothing of the kind," her brother protested, now
thoroughly aroused. "I'll agree to pay for the hat and the rain-coat if
they are not forthcoming before a fortnight passes, but you simply shall
not ruin that poor girl's reputation. I insist, Mother, that you put a
stop to such rash proceedings. I'll make myself personally responsible for
that girl's honesty."

"Well, of course, Tryon, if you wish it----" said his mother, with anxious
hesitation.

"I certainly do wish it, Mother. I shall take it as personal if anything
is done in this matter without consulting me. Remember, Cornelia, I wi