The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-22
ChoImondeIey's Hat.


I am ordinarily a very quiet woman.
like unbroken outlines and the severity OF
black. Secretly, nourish an ambition for
! the Salvation Army bonnet, and could
have thanked heaven sincerely had I been
bred quaker. 1t suits my temper 10 &c
through life observing my fellows, my
self unhindered, and 1 have generally
managed so much until the other day
when one of Cholmondeley's ships came
| in.
MY dear" said he, "you shall have the
handsomest hat in London. You need not
always go about looking as IL your second
cousin had died. want you to make an
effect at the Buxton-Tymmses'. And q
new jacket as we'll
may have felt a little doubtful, but, il
so, must have hidden my feelings, for
Cholmondeley's radiance abated not at all
To town We went. Cholmondeley had
intended Bond street, but It happened that
while taking a piece Of Regent street or
the way his eye was caught, and no won
der. by a double shop window full Of hats
Now" said he, there is the very
thing
We stopped and looked. There were
hats Of every color and shape; blue, green
mauve, crimson and magenta; some with
nodding, various plumes. some with cab
bages of silk and lace, and some adorned
with both.
1 seemed to discern in each one more
than touch of the demi mondaine, with
dash of the adventurous countess. But
Choimondeley was daZzled.
Come in" said he. and wives must be
obliging, so in 1 went.
The young person in command was very
proud and confident, and We were like
OlaV m he Of +ta =
manipulation
The very thing for madams complex
ion." she said. looking at Cholmondeley.
And Cholmondeley paid. How much
never intend to know.
Nor will anything ever induce me to de-
scribe that hat. What its combination
of colors. what its outIandfsh contours.
shall always remain my shameful secret.
But Cholmondeley did not share my
feelings
We've done It this time" he said ITS
a rippin' hat 1t makes me think Of that
Tennyson fellow. and what does he call
the moving vapor that rolled about the
head Of the king?'"
''Oh, but nonsenser' I cried There
wasn't-and-and-stuck about that va
por"'
Never mind" sEid Cholmondeley. 'It's
49, 81 CAAONl So AOAs L w II see i III
about right"
Then We got the jacket; It was black but
comely, and I was really gratifed this
time.
The way is long from our airy suburb 10
the Buxton-Tymmses' and may be rough
ly proportioned by train and couple Of
omnibuses.
1t was in a second-class railway car
rage that I received the first warning Of
the effect likely to be produced on the
British public by Cholmondeley's venture
in millinery.
1 was wondering If Cholmondeley would
forget what time he had to meet me at the
Marble Arch. when I became conscious
that the person who sat beside me was
clearing his throat repeatedly Involun-
tarfly I glanced round. and was greeted
by a bland smile that illuminated a fine
hook nose. a grizzled beard, and sort Of
counting house demeanor. He, too, was
mesmerized by Cholmondeley's present.
l looked away al once, feeling more con-
WINGED than ever that 1t is a mistake 10
wear another persons hat and that il is
better to wear one that corresponds with
your own disposition.
Then heard voice in my ear, at once
hoarse and 'honey-sweet-
"a great deal Of traffic In the streets
todav?"
I would not be offended. After all, IL the
poor man liked that kind of hat. he could
not help himself So 1 said, Yes" po-
litely, but with gravity.
This omnibus goes to Victoria, I be-
lieve?"
YES"
May inquire II that is your destina-
tion?"
His smile was so liberal that I stopped
the omnibus, hailed a passing cab, and
drove to my dressmaker's, for 1 still vas
too early for Cholmondeley.