The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-05-02

OneE sHe auueu, lnulcdtlnH lne one
which George had been under the
strongest impression that Lila did
| like.
1T isn't quite what / want" replied
Lila.
II thought you said It was exactly
what you wanted" George remarked,
as they went into the street.
Lila laughed. IL changed my mind" "
she said. "a woman always may, you
know" she further explained.
"Shall we go TO some other placeTs
said George, still mysti6ed. what
do you want, my. dearT
Something to eat. I'm positively
famished" said Lila.
But aren't you going to buy a hat"
asked George, In surprise.
IL think I'll wait until next week"
She looked up at him and added,
gently, Don't talk TO me any more
about hats; you said yourself that you
knew nothing about them
He did not talk to her about them,
as she sat opposite him at the res
taurant table. and she talked very
little to him about anything. She was
almost as silent as she had been at
breakfast but she smiled at him In a
way that reminded him Of the time
he had told her that he was poor, and
she had said, "Oh, are you"
After luncheon he took her 10 her
car, and waited until 1t bore her from
| his sight. AS ne started 10 return TO
| his studio he said TO himself II won
| der why she changed her mind about
that hat. She certainly said 1t was
| exactly what she wanted Then all
at once he understood. Gould 1t hav.
been possible he thought. remem-
bcring her added tenderness. "Thc
dear grlv
For moment he besitated; then
quickly he returned to the only pos
sible place TO buy "A proper hat The
proper hat in question was in the
show window. 1t was, as he said, very
simple. He went into the shop, and 10
another attendant than the one VINO
had so recently shown Lila the hat.
How much is that gray hat in tine
window" he asked.
The attendant looked at the hat.
Twenty eight dollars" she said. ut
is new hat from Paris"
Lila did know" George said to
himself
ut is very simple"' he gasped to the
attendant.
Yes" said the attendant. but it is
from Paris"
What is it made OFF, George asked
blankly, wondering how a coil of some
thing gray and soft. combined with one
strange black flower could possibly
cost $500.
illusion" said the attendant
illusion? what a name! Is Illus
ion so expensive"
ION, no; quite the contrary
as IL the flower. then, that is SO eX'
pensive?'
"Oh, no." said the attendant, pity
ing his ignorance. 1T is the style
"The style?"
"The art in the making of it,
mean"
at is artistic" said the artist, as he
once more left the shop
The price of the style fascinated
him TO such an extent that he fingered
at the window and stared at the gray
illusion and the black flower.
Twenty eight dollars! Upon my
word! It's SO simple / could draw IL
with four lines" he thought in his
mystification. Then new and re-
,,1, 10 I'm
spired idea! He snatchcd out his pencil
and card and made rapid sketch of
the Partisan hat. Then he went with
hasty strides from the only possible
place to another place, some distance
removed. He apparently desired to
leave far behind him the atmosphere
of Partisan style and its seeming
value.
With the sketch in his hand he ap-
preached an attendant in this second
shop. Can you make hat like thatY
he inquired.
"Oh, yes" she said. easily. 1T is
very simple. What color is IL? What
is IL made of?"
1T is gray illusion and black
flower. Where does one get gray IL
lusion and black howers?'
I'VE can supply them" said the at.
tendant. shall show them. to your"
How much will il cost to make it?"
George asked.
The attendant told him; he thought
II very little indeed. and his bewilder-
ment increased.
The illusion and the flowers were
produced. The attendants curiosity
was violently aroused, hut she was
properly busiuesslike. George actually
began 10 look upon the buying of n
girfs hat as his distinct vocation. He
selected black flower with the air Of
connoisseur. and with his artists
eye chose the exact shade Of gray II.
lusion.
How long will IL take to make it,"
he inquired.
II could do IL before tonight" the
attendant replied. "Will you call for
IL. or shall | send it,"
"I'll call for IT," George said.
He did call for IL. and ne examined
IL with an elaborate care that would
have convulsed less well-poised at
tendant.' To his inexperienced eyes It
was exactly like the original hat OF the
only possible place-save in price.
lie bore IL proudly home. and not
until be reached the front gate and
heard Lila playing the piano in the
little drawingroom did he wonder
| what Lila yvould say lie had beep