The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-27


after the other They were all thrce-cor-
nered. I'm afraid''-she began, but the ele-
CANT saleswoman froze her into silence by
the loftiness OF her demeanor as she
perched the tricOrne bit OF blacknesS on
top of her head. Such good style" was
her only comment, as she watched So
, phronia surveying the side and back effect
nervously in the mirror. Julietta came TO
the rescue, though with less OF spirit than
in her former encounter. The saleswoman
had a fortune i'm ice in her demeanor and
she was fatal To spirit. Il don't think the
Napoleon effects are quite becoming TO
her" she venturcd. Haven't you some
thing else?"
The saleswoman smiled. as she removed
the hat and placed another on Sophronia's
head. ''Oh, everything is the tricorne this
year" she said. There was calling pity in
her smile and in her tone.
How-how much is this oneg' said So
phronia, meekly.
Twenty-Five dollars" said the saleslady.
with the calmness Zone who sells Paris
patterns every day.
"Oh, that's too expensive" said Sophro-
MIA with frightened emphasis. Haven't
you anything cheaper l don't want TO pay
over ten twelve dollars
The elegant saeswoman rustled down the
store and returned silently. She placed
other black three-cornered hat on Sophro-
MAS head in resigned silence.
How much is this one?'' asked Sophro-
MIA, family.
"Eighteen-ffty. said the elegant lady.
Sophronia lifted the three-cornered hat
from her head i'm dead silence. Julietta was
dumb. and gloom enveloped the elegant one
like pail. Evidently it panied her to have
TO deal with persons who asked for prices
before they decided on hats. II guess 1
won't look any more said Sophronia. des-
perately. 4 m-were very much obliged to
you The elegant one gathered up her
black three-cornered hats in oppressive ST.
| lence and Sophronia and Julietta picked up
| their skirts and faded out OF the store in
abashed dumbness.
Outside the shop sophronia ciutched at
Juliettas sleeve. "Oh, dear, wasn't IL aw-
ful?'' She sighed. Sometimes they make
| me feel so cheap! And isn't ii hard work
| 10 pick out hat? Everybody tells you
| something different And who do they make
| the things for, anyway! None OF them
| ever seem TO be becoming to anybody"
The third young woman lent TO Sophro-
MIA s requests only a half ear, and that
was mostly concealed by huge pun OF
frizzled hair. The rest of her attention was
taken up by story she was pouring into
the ears of a sympathetic friend who stood
| leaning against the case.
| Yes m, certainly-how does this one suit
| your She twirled a little three-cornered
| hat of mixed blue and green straw with
| scarlet poppies. before Sophronia's nose.
| An then 1 says to her. says L: We'll, IL
| you're goin in that there dress you en- bet
your life amt goin' at all. You promised
| me you'd a shirtwaist an a short
| skirt, an here / come In mine and now
| you've gone an put on your best bib an
| tucker Now, wasn't that great way to-
| treat me, and me an her such friends.
too? Ny. but she's a deceitful little cat
| Huh? You don't think this hat suits you.
| Wen, here's a very shick thing-a Paree
lace cascades down the back-so stylish.
| Well, there / set an bimeby she I
meant business, so she went upstairs an
| changed 10 a shirtWaist an a short skirt.
an by that time the gentlemen had came
| an we started Say, but we did have a
good time. We was the most consenial
| crowd j ever was in; why, we just howled
| an yelled all the way. What price? Twenty
| dollars. Nom, amt got any plain hats
except the French sailors-here's a pretty
| one in bright green-they re all TO go for
| street wear, yknOw. You're welcome. Call
| again. An say, May, what do you think"
II was growing dusk when Sophronia and
Juietta were shot up in the elevator 20 the
| millinery section of one OF the department
| stores. There were circles Of WEAKNESS be-
| meath Sophronias eyes that testified 10 the
| difficulty of finding a small black hat which
was not three-cornered. She sank down be-
fore the mirror. She was too tired 20 say
| anything about her hair, though by this
| time its struggled condition justified all the
| remarks she had made about il earlier I'm
the day. She explained as briefly as posi-
| bic what she wanted. The saleswoman who
was middle-aged and experienced. looked
| doubtful.
But a black hat is so old-looxing for
| young girl she protested. gently. why
| not try something more youthful and suit
| able?
Sophronia surveyed her jaded countenance
| with doubtful eyes. but Julietta smiled.
| The search for small black street hats
| which were not three-cornered, had also
| told upon Julietta, but its effects were upon
| her temper rather than upon her outward
| appearance. She had an aloofness OF man.
ner that promised little refuge in dilhcul-
Well don't know" sighed sophronia.
You might let me see something differ
ent."
The middle-aged and experienced sales
woman brought an array OF spring hats in
alluring styles and colors. One after an
| other she adjusted them carefully upon So
| phronia's head and then surveyed them
| with half-cOsed eyes and a Smile that
showed no symptoms OF coming of. Her re-
| ma he ruar farr~ hut ff.1fr ffa
| 'Oh, don't you think that is too broad
for me-" said SophrOnia from beneath the
wide brim OF black and yellow hat '.Oh.
not for you; wear the youthful styles while
you can, my dear. Time enough for the lit
tie black hats when you get older" said
the wise one.
The last hat Of the lot was a sweet az
fair Of blue lace. straw and pink roses, and
SophrOnia could not resist smiling from be-
meath its graceful brim. Juletta's eyes held
an enyious light as she looked. ''There-it
couldn't be better II IL had been made for
you, said the smiling salesady. Sophro-
mia struggled a little. But IL won't do for
She took the hat from her head and looked
IL over, then laid IL down upon the table
In a moment Juletta had swooped down
| upon IL and perched IL upon her golden
locks. I've been meaning 10 get a pale
blue hat this summer and this is just the
very thing, she announced in the calm
manner with which lovely woman goes
| after what she wants.
The sight OF the hat upon Julietta's head
1
| that hat myself" she said with emphasis
| and the smiling saleslady, TO clinch the pur-
chase. added confdentially 10 Julietta: THE
hat Is awfuNy becoming 10 you. Miss. but
| think it's better on this young girl"
| The blue hat came from Juletta's blonde
| locks with a sDiteful jerk. The remarks
| about Sophronia's youthfulness had lost
| their savor-besdes. Juiietta really wanted
| the hat. Il think l won't wait any longer.
| now that I've finally helped you 90 select
| the small black hat that we've been look
| ing for all this afternoon" she said 10 So
| phronia, sarcasticaly. I'm going up TO
| Maymes for dinner. and I'll have 10 hurry -
| Struggled down in a desolate and dusty
| heap in the corner of the homeward- bound
| street car Sophronia reflected lOnesomely
and cheerlessly: There. I've gone and done
| tive bought hat that 1 can only wear
| with dress-up gowns. and I've paid SO much
| for IL that | just can't get another so I'll
have To wear that crazy old brown thing:
| and l don't know l really wanted the
| hat anyway: and I've made Julietta mad
| because she really did want it-and I'm
| Just dead tired into the bargain Oh. dear.
| do wish We could get hats the way men
| do-just go down and pick out our size and
! NOT have a bofhpr about trimmings and