The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-02-02
AHAT-MARK ROMANCE


AHAT-MARK ROMANCE
Philip Northam. coming hastily out Of
the exchange building one morning in jan
nary. slipped on some zee at the top OF the
marble steps and slid rapidly 10 the
bottom. On his way, however. be sncoun-
sssed . gentleman who was Ieisurely des-
csnding b<fors him. whipped him briskly
from his feet and brought him down BY
his side TO the pevem ent below. This un-
expected introduction was accompanied
By : prompt removal 81 their respective
hats. Philips rolled down TO the curb
Stone and the strangers vhiried along the
pavement 70 b stopped and returned by
an opportune boosbiack. Fortunately no
bodily damage Was done to either Of the
embarrassed young men. who instantly
picked themselves up, with mutually un-
necessary apologies.
Philip. perhaps, had some raison fetss, -
be had bsen the aggressive party, bat the
Same haste to catch : train that had occas-
ioned the rendering Of the apology made it
naturally very bsisf. He barely took time
70 assure himself that his fellow voyager 70
the sidewalk vas not hurt. then ciapped
his hat on bis hssd and rushed onward
with the Same speed that had defeated
itself . lev seconds prsvious.
We said that Philip clapped his hat on
hts head, but the truth ID. he ciappcd on
hat In every way resembling II. yet Is un-
like Il - hat that We have never worn is
unlike thu hat Of our everyday wear. Philip
had not gone block when he realized that
be hnd made Z mistake. and exchanged
hats with the stranger, whom he had other
wise incommoded by hurting him down
stairs. II would seam that destiny had
bosn gratuitously unkind through Philips
unmeant agency to this fnOtlensive way
farsr. and for no apparent reason but her
own wilful fancy.
However, II would probably be useless to
return to The scene Of their rencontre, even
II Philip had time. So he contented him.
self with examining the hat a. he sped up
BY the elevated to his train 1t Forty second
street, and was glad TO find In IL . hat
mark. the initials wv. w. Co. neatly en-
broidered on band Of dark garnet silk
and ornamented with sprays of floss silk
vine. No one had ever embroidered hat
mark for Philip, and the rightful owner OF
the misappropriated head covering became
at once invested With sort Of romance in
Philips mind.
The hat Of itsslf was anything but ro-
mantle. being ono a those hard, stiff der
bye. that sesm 70 have bean invented for
no other purpose than TO countsraot any
possible good looks on the part Of the
owner.
Nv. w. c. Philip pondsrsd not little
over these caballistic signs Of feminine care
snd interest; he examined them 20 closely.
indeed, that, After the manner Of ardent
exptOrefs. he mado IN unlooked.f0r dis
covsry. Undsr tho little silken band was
tucked firmly : sip Of folded paper.
Thinking Il might contain perhaps the full
compliment Of the initials, Philip opened
and read Il. A flush passed over his face,
and his heart quickencd with sympathy.
On The paper were written these words, in
delicate feminine hand:
"Will-lf you care to preserve this little
souvenir you viii sometime know that
owe you; too late, perhaps, for happiness,
bat not too iats for truth. God grant that
you may safely cross tho ocean and cross
hack again 10 me"
That was all. Philips ardent soul
thrilled with tenderness O. he reyerently
replaced the little scrap of paper in its
hiding place and continued 10 look down
ct Il like one In . dream. How could he
put IL on again with this sad secret hover
In. above his hrainf IL seemed sacrilese
that he. stranger. should be crowned
even temporarily with the burden Of an
honor unto which he was not born" OF
course. necessity compelled him to wear ID
until he could procure one OF his own. but
the pAthos of those few yearning words
gave him no peace Even when he had
ceased 10 BE- conscious Of their actual prox-
unity 10 HIS curly black locks and was
again his own man. NJ least TO the extent
Of . new derby. he was not rid Of their
haun ting spell.
The advertisements he paid for In behalf
OF Nv, w. c.. would have purchased half
q dozen hats. but they brought him no sign
nor token from the missing owner. and a.
time wore ON the strange hat with its pa
thctie secret lay hidden away In box
IN Philips wardrobe and became thing of
the past.
Meanwhile Fate, spinning her web Of
many tissues. spun for Philip, among other
things, hat mark of his own. IL Was very
pretty, and very precious. and Philip felt
like king who is for the first time crowned
with his royal inheritance when he knew
thai be Was aiiudgcd worthy 90 wear the
favor of slender lily fingers whose slightest
touch had thrilled him like q concentration
al electric batteries. Fate's name, on this
occasion. Was Myra Browne. She was fair
and isghthaired. with pretty gray eyes and
. soft undergraduates Of mind and manner
Philip had fallen in love with her at first
sight, eut she had oaly grown by slow de-
gfees FROM indifference 10 interest. from
interest to friendship. from tr ieniship to-
yell. the next step Is scarcely percepsihle.
bat her progress eventually resulted in a
glorious attainment foe Philip.
Tie could scarcely trust himself 60 the
contemplation Of his own hiss when he
realized that the happiness Of this strong
vet delieate and imprisoned soul was
given into his keeping.
- bring yoa the Erst real love OF NV
heart she said. locking hirn through ana
through with her clear. sincere gray eyes.
Always remember this Philip-tAe 6rss
real love Of my heart
rhssir stood ahsshesi hesore the purity Of
her gaze. remembering how he had written
posms 10 this giri and that, and pressed
pretty hands with . tervos that nov rose
up 90 accuse him.
He sighed deefay. having in reality moth
ing 10 sign about. bat wholly anne1es.
sary activity OF conscience. whieA i ossen
a II