The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-10-06
ROMANCE OF A Hallmark.


ROMANCE OF A Hallmark.
Philip Northam. coming hastily out 0i
Exchange building one morning in Jan
uary, slipped on some ice at the top Of
the marble steps and Sid rapidly 10 the
bottom. On his way. however, be en-
countered gentleman who was descend
ing leisuuely before him, whipped him
bFiskly from his feet, and brought him
down by his side to the pavement below
This unexpected introduction was accom-
panied by prompt removal Of their n
spcciive hats. Philips rolled down to
the curlstone. and the strangers whirie,l
along the pavement TO De stopped and
returned by an opportune bootblack- For
tunately no bodily damage was done 70
either II the embarrassed Young men,
who instantly picked themselves up.
with mutually unnecessary apologies.
Philip. perhaps. had some rii7on d'etre,
as be had been tn, aggressive party, but
the same haste 10 catch a train that had
occasiOned the rendering Of the apology
made II naturally very brief. He barely
took time To assure himself that his fel-
low-vovager 70 the sidewalk was not
hurt, then clapped his hat on his head
and rushed onward with the same speed
that defeated is-elI few seconds preVi-
Gus.
We state that Philip CAPPED his hat
upon his head. bur the truth Is, he clap
on hat IN every way resembling it. yet
as unlike IT a. hat that We have never
worn l. unlike the hat Of cur everyday
wear Philip had not gone block when
he realized that he had made mistake.
and exchanged hats with the stranger,
whom he had otherwise inoommoded by
hurting him down stairs. II would seem
that Destiny had been gratuitously IN
kind through Philips unmeaHt agency 10
this unoffensive wayfarer. and FOR no ap-
parent reason but her own wilful fancy.
However it would probably De useless TO
return 10 the scene Of their reneountre
even if Philip had had time - he con-
tented himlselfby examining the hat a.
he sped up By the Elevated 10 his train
al Fortv-Stsond street. and was glad 10
find in il bat mark, the initials W W
c. neatly embroidered on band Of
dark garnet silk and .ornamented with
sprays Of hoss-silk vine. No one had
ever embroidered hat mark for Philip.
and the rightful owner became at once
invested with sort Of romance in Phil
ips mind The hat Of itself was anything
but romantic. being one Of those hard.
stiff Derl,ieS. that 4eem to have been in
vented for no other purpose than 20 eoun-
teraei any possible good looks ON the
part Of the owner. -W w c. Philip
pondered not little over these eabalistic
signs Of feminine care and interest; hut
he examined them - closely indeed.
that after the manner OF ardent explorers.
he made an unlooked-for discovery. Tn
der the little silken band was tucked
firmly a slip Of folded paper Thinking
II might contain perhaps the full coJa-
plement Of the initials, Philip opened
and read H. A great flush passed over
hi face. and his heart guickene-i with
sympathy ON the paper were written
theSe words, in deiieasely feminine
hand
-WmL-f vou care 70 preserve this
little souvenir. YOU viii some time know
that love you: too hate, perhaps. for
happiness. but not too late for truth God
gr.int that voa may safely cross the ocean.
and ,ro-- back again to me.
That was all Philips ardent soul
thrilled with tenderness as he reverently
replaced the little scrap Of paper in its
hiding place. and continued to look down
at IL. ike one in a dream. How could be
put ii on again. with this sad secret how
eriny above his brain2 Il seemed sac
rileee that he, stranger. should be
crowned even temporarily with this bur
den IF an honor unto which he Was not
born" of course necessity compelled
him 10 wear II until he eould procure one
OF his own. but the patho- of those few
yearning words gave hins no pessee- Even
when be bad sess-ed 10 be conscious Of
their actual proximity to his curly dark
locks. and WAS again his Own man, at
le.sst 10 the extent Of new Derby. he
Was Rot ri Of their haunting spell The
advertisements he paid for IN behalf Of
w W c. would have purchased half
dozen hats. but they brought him no
sign nor token rom the missing owner;
and. a. time wore on. the strange hat
with its pathetic secret hay hidden in
box in Philips wardrobe. and became
thing Of the past
Meanwhile Fate. spinning her web Of
many Tissues, spun for Philip hat mark
of his own II was very very pretty, and
very very precious. and Philip felt ike
king who il for the first time crowned
with his loyal inheritance, when he knew
that he was adIu.iged worthy to wear the
favor Of slender lily fingers whose light
est touch had thrilled him like concen-
tration of electric batteries. Fate's name
on this ocszssion WAS Nyra Brown She
was fair and light-hairei, with pretty
gray eyes and a soft independence Of
mind and manner Philip had fallen in
love with her Al first sight, bui she had
only grown by Sow degrees from indif-