The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-10-17
RsET Pa. WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER II, 1883

greeted the raising of the lid. Within
was Barbara's straw hat, but ho,
recognize it under the transformin
wand of a fairy ? The hat was line
with fluted satin of peachy tint
the crown was wreathed with blu
feathers. shading from turquois t
rose pink, while rich lace, black AM
white, was cunningly disposed in
drapery behind. Such was the ele
giant head covering revealed to Bar
bara's astonished eyes.
Il told them not to trim the hat
she said, ruefullv.
Did you ever hear the wise adagt
quoted of being penny wise ant
pound foolish p inquired the wicked
Pet. Where is your fine econom'
now, Miss Williams p
'Nonsensel In for penny, in 70
a pound, suits better the nineteenth
century, said Marion. DO try i
on
Accordingly, Barbara put on tn,
hat, which rendered her charming
for the poke brim, lined with tn,
rosy satin, formed a sort of whee
about her delicate face, and trans
formed it with a youthful freshness
Sunday was a cloudless day, bu
Barbara had made up her mind dur
ing the night not to yield to tempta
ton.
L shall take back the hat to-mor
row morning. she said, with firm
ness. The trimmings will render i
frighttully expensive. How sly al
Italian to put on all those feathers ?
Pray keep it, cried Pet, it is SC
becoming
Yes, and it may not be too dear,
added Marion. AT least wear the
hat to-day, and you can take the en-.
tire week for judicious compromise;
with the milliner.'
Barbara listened to the voice Of
the charmer. She put On the exquis
ite spring hat, and accompanied the
two Poppleton girls, looking as fresh
as rosebuds in their pearl gray
dresses, tiny mantles, and the chip
bonnets, to one of the American
churches.
Surely many glances strayed to
Barbara during the service -iemi-
nine ewes with the anxiety OF CLEAN
ing a new idea in fashions, and mas
culine eyes with a pleasant admira-
ton. \ becoming tint warmed her
cheeks, and dimple actually assert
ed itself at the corner Of her mouth.
The idea of a woman of my age
being tricked out in such snowy
fincryp she thought, guiltily. and
yet with an eXhilarating sensation
of excitement.
The tenant of the first floor,
emerging from his door. met the trio
on the stairs, Barbara resplendent in
pink and blue, and the cherubic
faces of the girls peeping over her
shoulders.
He was a grave and silent man,
and wore Il white silk handkerchief
folded carefully about his throat,
like the King of Wurtemburg. He
bowed to the ladies with lingering
glance at the group, and went down
stairs.
Strange that people may live in
these apartment houses for years
without ever knowing each other =
mused Barbara.
Who is hep whispered Marion.
4 know all about him, proclaim
ed Pet. He is a learned man from
Scandinavia, and his name is Mr..
Oscar Christianson. He lives in
Italy because he has no lungs-or
He is rich and | wish
he would show US such an Aladdin :
palace as his apartment, for the brio
a brac merchants bring him pictures,
Venetian brass work, and
bits of old damask almost every
day
The Countess b ad awakened about
the time these tenants returned from
for she was too true a Flor
entine to retire before two or three
o'clock in the morning. Propped
up in the great state bed, with hang
ings of amber satin, she slipped her
coffee. while pleasant thoughts of
the afternoon drive in the Cassine in
a new toilette filled her mind. The
Milanese maid, Marguerite, hovered
about the waking lady. If no beau
is a hero to his valet, what must
madame the Countess have been to
her Abigail at this early hour?
Has my new hat been sent home p
she demanded abruptly.
Marguerite vanished, and returned
with a hat-box.
This came at halt-past ten o'clock
last evening, Signora Contessa, and
Pietro received it from the boy she
said, glibly placing the box on the
bed.
The coverremoved, an untrimmed
straw hat was disclosed, with poke
orim for different braid, and in
differently sewed, at the best.
'Misericerdia y cried Marguerite,
clasping her hands tragically.
How the black eyes of the Coun-
tess flashed, while a dark red flush
Of anger suffused her swarthy coun-
she was very plain
woman.
What does it mean?' she exclaim-
ed. Is it a trick p
She flung The despised black hat
across the room, and summoned the
bewildered Pietro.
Go to Madame Milleheurs and ask
if she wishes to insult me. Stay,
take this thing, this object, back to
her, and tell her l will never enter
her shop again. | withdraw my Gus
tom. l will warn my friends. This
FOOLS prank shall prove her ruin
The Countess grew hoarse with
rage, the veins in her throat SWELL
ed like cords, and she made a gest-
ure as if about to crush the unfortu-
nate milliner in her nervous fingers.
She loved dress above everything
else in this world, and she beheld
herself hatless on the fashionable
drive of The afternoon. Bitter dis
swelled her heart.
Pietro, the groom of the yellow
waistcoat resembling q Wasp's was