The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-17
On APPROVAL.
Why Lady Loddington Is Owl to q
Common Man.

What on enrthdye call that thing?"
asked, poiing with my stick at a
bnneh Of grapes poised airily upon
: brass stand.
.,rhat thing. replied my cousin,
proudly, its the very latest Partisan
fashion in bonnets.
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 gazed
upon its owner with an exclamation
more profane 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
mourning for her husband-poor Jack
Henderson, who was killed in the
Sondan --set off the lines Of her slender
young figure and threw her golden
hair and fair skin prcttily into relief
Pull yourself together, my dear
boy" she continued, opening the door
Of an old carved oak cabinet, tand |
will show you something that even
your crude male intellect will appre-
ciate. II you don't say it's love1y I'll
never let You inside the shop again.
You may hntten your nose against the
window or stroll disconsolately up and
down the street In vainI No more
chats, no more teas in the back room,
Ronald"
80 saying, She fitted gfngcriy from
the shelf a large hat, and, placing it
upon her pretty head, turned triumph
antly toward me.
1t was lovely quite loyely--a sort of
arrangement in amethyst velvet and
feathers to match. Being only mis-
cradle and ignorant male, Of course
can't describe it; but it was uncom-
monty becoming and made Nina look
like Gainsborough picture. told
her so and gushed over it sufficiently
to satisfy her
Its my own idea, shape and all, and
there isn't another like ii in the world,
l may possibly copy it, but I'm not
sure, 1t depends upon who buys it.
How ! wish you were woman, Ro-
nald!" She sighed, regretfully. "Iwould
make you buy it for Ascot to morrow. z
u wish ! were, my dear. But why
don'tyou 60 and wear 1t YOURSELF"
Gracious! and leave the shop for a
whole day at this early stage Of its ex-
istcnce! You guardsmen have no more
idea of business than baby. No, /
can't so; but hope you'll have lucky
day and good time, and Ronald, dear,
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
forget to notice what hats and bonnets
people wear"
promised to do my best and took
my leave reluctantly as large and
portiy matron, gorgeously arrayed,
and whose features Enthusiastically be-
trayed her Semitic origin, sailed in and
demanded small Flower bonnet
That woman in flower bonnet! /
hope, poor soul, that Nina saved her
from herself.
What are You going TODD this after
noon, Ronald?'' asked my mother three
days later. i wish Won to come and
call with me on the Vanderdeckens. .
Can't, my dear mother, Promised
70 go and see Nina,
Visions OF Miss Vanderdeeken, rich
as Cresus, but oh, co deadly dulll has
tened my movements, and was halt
way TO Oxford street before Inymother
could call me back found Nine.
Destries, as my cousin calls herself,
just PARTING with customer The
hat was in her hand
I've sold it, she cried, gleefully;
lust sold Il to that nice girl for i've
guineas.n
Awful glad, Pm sure. But, my
dear girl, I've 4 shock ia store for YOU.
saw the very model and marrow OF
that hat at Ascot the day before yes
terdayNf
"You couldn't, you couldn't Who
was wearing, it2" She cried. sharply.
Une Of our reigning professional
beauties Lady Loddington!'
Lady Loddingtonin gasped Nina,
catching bold Of the chair behind her.
Ronald, are YOU sure YOU aren't max.
ing any installer.
swear I'm not. She had on trock
the color Of the hat, and she looked
simply ripping. paid her all the com,
pliments ] could think Of in the five.
minutes ! was talking to her"
ne cheat, the swindle Of it," cried
my cousin. white with anger.
IA MY dear girl, calm YOURSELF I'm
sorry for you. but great minds, as you
know. will jump, and some other clever
wo man has had the same idea as YOU
Your sentiments, madam, are mine
but l don't think theyshouId be vast
cd on the mere fact that some Other
woman has made hat like years Z
she hasn'tlr cried Nina. indignant.
y. But Lady Loddington was wear
ing this very hat Listen, Ili tell 70,
the whole story. The same afternoon
yoa called lady came ia beautifully