Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-23
A CHRISTMAS. HAT.
BIT MRS. A. P. sTANsBURY.


It was the afternoon before Christmas, and
Dell was tired. You might wonder little at
that, since she had nothing to do all day long,
but ''try on" at Madame La Planes. The room
was warm and sunny and full of bright color;
the softest lounging chairs were scattered here
and there; there were silks and velvets, ribbons
andfeathers. aces flmy as cobwebs, flowers 80 per-
feet that you were almost deluded into smelling of
them. and as for hats and bonnets Of every con-
cefvable shape and shade.-one might as well
try and paint the lily as to describe in unpro-
fessional phrase such airy, exquisite works of
art.
But Dell was only human, and the pretty
things were all for somebody else. Even the
Madames smiles and smooth tones were only
for the elegant ladies who leaned back in the
easy chairs, quite overcome, sometimes, by the
effort of deciding so momentous a question as
the exact tilt of a hat-brm or shade of a ribbon.
Meanwhile poor Dell turned round and round
on her aching feet like one of Mrs. Jarey's wax
figures. held her ''chin just a little higher
moved IA bit more this way-tO show the side
effect, you know. or was sent to the dressing
room to coil her hair somewhat lower to cor
respond more exactly with Mrs Dives style of
couture"
She was not bit vain, yet she could not help
wondering. as she caught chance glimpse in
the long mirror, of the fresh. young face to
which all shapes and colors were becoming how
the creamy plush which framed her shining
brown hair. would look in cruelty close proximity
to Mrs. Dives sallow-skin, and the surely
creeping wrinkles that not even the kindly
rouge could hide.
She could renember-how long ago It seemed
to her to-day!-when she, too. had beautiful
things to wear, when a kiss was the ''oDen
sesame which unlocked the heart and pocket
of the dearest of fathers. when mamma was
blooming aid happy. and the merry voices of
the little brother and sister flied their lovely
home with music.
How different now! The beloved manly face
hidden away forever.-home. wealth and fair
weather friends gone.-her mother. always
paler and thinner. bending over her needle, the
one feeble weapon with which she strOve to
drive the wolf from the doof,--Rob and Eda
quiet and subducd. weighed down by the
burdens of life While yet unable to lit them
A hundred thoughts and pictures like these
Whirled through her weary brain. while she
heard. as it in a dream Mrs. Dives voice, THAT
will do young woman, Madame LaPlaine If
you will make the slight alteration ! suggested,
the bonnet will suit me, think. Do not fail to
send it around Tomorrow. as shall want it for
the Christmas service
''Christmas.' Dell's lip trembled and two
tears gathered in her eyes. which she would not
let fall She had seldom been tempted to such
bitterness OF mood, but to-day the word seemed
mOckery. What was Christmas day worth. if
the warmth and pleasant cheer were for the
rich alone? She did not mind for herself, but
mamma and the children! Why. the very
crumbs from this wOman'S table would fill their
bare room with feasting!
The boy in waiting had scarcely closed the
door upon Mrs Dives rustling robes, when he
opened it again for the entrance Of an elderly
gentleman, short and stout, who hurried in
smiling and nodding, like q veritable st.
Nicholas. albeit quite out of breath from climb
nr 10 Hirt of ctair hnllta lfh al
indetinably attracted by the genial face, and
half involuntarily stepped forward to attend to
the stranger.
II am in great haste, my dear! - said the cid
erly gentleman. laying a large package upon
table, land think you can tell me what want
in minute. You see. have been buying a
gown and cloak for a little niece of nine. who
must be-let me see-just about your own age,
Imagine. Now, | must have a hat to match,
and it must be quite the correct thing, assure
you."
He was breaking the paper from a corner of
his package as he spoke. and Madame La
PLANES quick eye caught the simmer of silk
and the dark richness Of sealskin. She fastened
forward ALLOW me-" she said. with an i'm
perious wave Of her hand, and Dell stood aside
with shamefaced blush.
Madame examined critically the shade of the
silk
''lees DELL" she commanded at last, ''you
will bring the Gainsborough yonder in the
case-the peacock blue-it is exactly what Mon
sieur desires. Put it on-a little on the side
SOL All. Monsieur" with a little sights it
not exquisite" soft, far-away mistiness
gathered in the old genteman's eyes
Exquisite. Mada,ne!" he answered in low
voice. But he was not thinking of the Gains
borough hat He bought it, however, and paid
for tan extravagant price-without muir
muir.
land where shall l send it Monseur:' said
Madame. delighted.
- will take it with me, if you please" he
answered, but he turned to lite Dell as he
spoke, as If she had been the only person in the
room. . You see, I've been for many year in
foreign parts and the little girl spoke of was
a baby growing in her mothers arms when I
went They've all thought me dead, suppose,
and tiresOme chase I've had to trace them out
But I'm sure to be on the right track now, [
think. and I've fancy for carrying the things
myself. If what I've been told is true there's
need enough of these and more beside!
The blue eyes grew dim again. The shop
girls were staring and only awe of the stately
madame depressed litter here and there. Such
condolences were, indeed, rare in a fashionable
millinery shop-the old gentleman had. perhaps.
left part of his senses In the strange countries
whence he had returned.
1t was Dell's hand that gave him the hat care
fully wrapped, and his "fhank you. my dear!"
seemed to warm her heart to the core.
The long afternoon wore past, and the little
French clock struck the hour for closing Dell
pinned her worn shawl and drew her little bat
tered Derby over her eyes, wondering, but with
out pang of envy. what sort of q girI-face
would look out from beneath the broad brim of
the blue GainsbOrOugh.
:" She ought to be very. very NICE indeed, to
deserve such an uncle!" she said to herself
and then she stopped moment, at the cashiers
desk, for her scanty weeks wages, adding the
amount to a small hoard which had been, alas!
how slowly accommodating in her little worn
purse. This was her Christmas money. She
would spend it on her way home. She counted
1T anxiously. running over the short list in her
mind: The fannes for her mother, the hood
for Eda the scarlet mittens for Rob, and. could
she dare the extravaganza? little bag of bon
bOns beside. There would be enough, she de-
cided-a few pennies over, may be-and her eyes
as she went out into the sharp, frosty
air. How bright were the shop-windows, how
full the streets of hurrying, happy people! Her
simple purchases were soon made. hut
the hOmeward walk had seldom seemed so long.
Up the one-twO-three long flights of stairs
she climbed slowly, hiding her precious burden
under the folds of her shawl. Her hand was on
the doOr-knob. as her mother opened it, A
bright light from within showed the pale face In
strong relief,-sO TRANSPORTED with q strange,
solemn joy that Dell shrank for an instant,
almost in fear. There was murmur of voices
in the inner r0om--tha chtdron,c lxd