The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-11-15
ON APPROVAL.

'FWhat ON earth dye call that thingg
l asked, pol1ing with my stick at bunch
of grapes poised airily upon brass
stand.
That thing. replied my cousin proud.
ly, sis the very latest Partisan fashion
in bonnets.r
sank back into the little lounge that
ran along the side of the room-you
couldn't insult anything so dainty with
the name of ''shop"--and gazed upon its
owner with an exclamation moro pro.
fame than appropriate.
II must at once be confessed that she
was a charming object to gaze at.
There was an expression of wicked
amusement in her large gray eyes, and
the black gown she still wore in mourn
ing for her husband--poor Jack Hender-
son, who was killed in the Soudau-set
off the lines Of her slender young figure.
and threw her golden hair and fair skin
prettily into relief.
Pull yourself together, my dear boy, q
she continued, opening the door of an
old carved oak cabinet, 'and will show
you something that even your crude
male intellect viii appreciate If yop
don't say it's lovely Til never let you in
side the shop again. You may hatten
your nose against the window, or stroll
disc0nsolately up and down the street
in vain! No more chats. no more teas in
the back room"
SO saying, she lifted gingerly from the
shelf large hat, and planting it upon
her pretty head turned triumphantly to-
ward me. 1t was lovely-quite lovely
sort of arrangement in amethyst vel
vet and feathers to match. Being only a
miserable and ignorant male of course
can't describe it. but it was uncom-
monty becoming, and made Nina look
like Gsinsborough picture. 1 told her
so and gushed over it sufficiently to sat
isfy her.
Its my own idea, shape and all, and
there isn't another hike it in the world.
may possibly copy it, but I'm not sure.
1t depends upon who buys it. How /
wish you were woman, Ronald" she
sighed regretfully, "and / would make
you buy it for Ascot tomorrow
II wish / were, my dear. But why
don't you go and wear it YOURSELF
Gracious! and leave the shop for a
whole day at this early stage of its ex-
istence? You guardsmen have no more
idea of business than a baby. No, /
can't go; but hope you'll have lucky
day aud a good time, and Ronald dear,
if you We're nice you'd just look in one
day soon and tell me what sort of day
you had. Oh, and be sure you don't for
get to notice what hats and bonnets peo-
pie wore.
Ipromised to do my best, and took my
leave reluctantly as a large and portly
matron, gorgeously arrayed, and whose
features Enthusiastically betrayed her Sc
mitic origin. sailed in and demanded a
small flower bonnet.
That woman in flower bonnet. J
hope, poor soul. that Nina saved her
from herself.
"What are you going to do this after
noon, Ronald: asked my mether, three
days later. II wish you to come and
call with me on the Vanderdeckens.
Can't. my dear mother. Promised
to 20 and see Nina.
Visions OF Iiss Vanderdeeken, rich as
Crosus, ~ IA! so deadly dull, hastened
my movements. and | WAS half way TO
Oxford street before nay mother could
call mo back l found Nine. Destrier.
as my cousin calls herself Just parting
with customer. The hat was in her
hand.
1--WE sold it," she cried gleefully; 'just
sold it to that nice girl for 1--WE guineas -
"Awfully glad. Pm sure. But my
dear girl. I've "a shock in store for you.
l saw the very model and marrow OF
that hat at Ascot the day before yester-
day"
you couldn't, you Couldn't Who
was wearing ity' she cSied sharply.
"One of our reigning professional bean
ties-Lady Loddington."
Lady Loddingtonl" gasped Nina
catching hold of the chair behind her,
Ronald, are you sure you aren't max
ing any mistakeY
Il swear I'm not She had on frock
the color of the hat, and she looked sim.
! ply ripping. paid her all the compli
ments / could think Of in the five min,
uies | was talking to her"
The cheat, the swindle of it!" cried
my cousin. white with anger
MY dear girl, calm yourself! Tn
sorry for you, but great minds, as you
know. will jump, and some other clever
woman has had the same idea AS you"
Nina was past taking any notice Of che
insulting suggestion. She seemed thor
oughly upset by the coincidence, and
looked as if she were sOing TO cry.
why did ever go into business?
she cried miserably; tits simply awfu
10 get behind the sOanes like this anC
find ont how mean women-well breC
women who ought TO know better-caI
be. We were all brought up with th'
old fashioned nOblesse Obhge ideas. Roi
you were too-and it seems 70 ms
now that there is hardly any one in 50
cietY who has notion Of honor and dig
nifty, as we used 10 understand th'
terms Society! After all I'm thankfu
I'm more or Lees out OF il, It's just
herd Of people, pushing, struggling, sell