Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-12-07
In Chase of a Red Hat.

perience for Hinllley. 1t aroused his
sleeping interest
As the clubman sauntered down
to Twenty-third street and headed for
Sixth avenue. intent on showing his
form to the ladies Of the shopping dis
trict. he came across the girl in the
red hat again. She was entering 4
dry goods store IIinkley entered after
her. She went to the parasol counter.
and he followed. Aside from the red
hat. which was Il very gorgeous affair
the wearer was a handsome young
woman of about twenty-three. She
knew that Hinkley was following her
Had she seemed to know il, however
he would have turned away. The
young woman did not seem to know
that he was on earth. AS she looked
at all sorts and kinds of parasols she
walked ON his feet or elbowed him
out of the way. Sometimes she looked
past him, and sometimes over his head.
but never at him. When she had
bought a red parasoI to match the red
hat she took il and walked out
Mr.. Hinkley was no longer bored.
He was getting a move on. Life had
come back to him with a rush He
followed the red hat out and saw Il
get into a cab. He took another cab
and followed on and landed at the
Grand Central depot He followed TO
the ticket window and heard the young
woman ask for Il ticket to certain
Long Island village He was at her
elbow but he was ignored There
was plenty of room for her TO turn to
the right but she turned TO the left
and walked on his feet again and pass
ed through the gates and took her
train. Mr. Hinkley always carried 4
case of good cigars with him. He ha,l
a soft and gentle voice. Passing ci-
gar into the window and speaking
with pur he inquired of the ticket
man if he happened to know the young
lady
"Judge Durso's daughter and lives
at Blankville,' was the reply. accom-
panied by wink
He shouldn't have winked. Mr.. EIink-
ley wasn't running after the female
but only following Il clew to assist him
to throw off the Shackle of ennui.
That evening at the club certain mem
bers were astonished TO see that ITink-
ley was sitting up and aking notice Of
things in a way that he had not done
for months. Some figured it out that
his aunt was dead at last and others
that be had got Il sure thing on the
races, but he gave up no Information.
At 10 o'clock the next morning he was
on his way to Blankvillc- During the
night he had decided that his Water
loo had arrived. He found himself in
love. He had passed thousand wom
en- 10y without Il fiutter of the heart.
only to- be caught by Il girl wearing
red hat 1t was her hat and her total
and the way she had walked OH his
feet 1t was the hat and the way she
had looked past him and elbowed him.
His summer Snt had been ignored.
His faultlesS form had gone for moth
Ing. His ego had been Inundated. In
stead of bringing q thirst for revenge.
these things had brought love and 4
spirit OF forgiveness.
Mr. Hinkley had no difficulty in iind-
ing Judge Durso's residence. II WAS a
manor house situated a mile from the
village The villagers who directed
him would have liked TO ask all about
him and his hopes and aims and ambi-
tions. but he did not give them time.
Just what he was going to do when he
hn hnlJCn
know. but he was Il firm believer in
the old saving that providence takes
care of asses and drunkardS. He
might make inquiries of some sort
He might leave his card. He would
make himself known in some way. lie
entered the grounds with all sorts of
plans running through his mind. but
the whole boiling of them was So0n
put to hight 4 watchdog came tear
ing down To the gate to meet him and
seized him and rolled him on the
grass. Then the gardener came tearing
after the dog and rescued the man and
stood him up against the fence and
called him Il tramp and threatened
him. Then the old Judge came down
with stately step and put Mr.. Hinlley
through severe cross examination
and at the end called him a prevari-
Gator and talked about the grand jury
and indictments. He was finally per
mitted TO limp away in ignominy. but
lie was only forty rods from the house
when girl in red hat came tearing
along in an auto. He started TO raise
his hat and get out of the road ut III"
same time. but got mixed up, and the
auto struck him and hurled him into
the nearest fence corner. The girl
never looked back.
Mr.. Hinklcy had no bones broken.
and at the end of two hours he had
limped and crawlcd back to the depot.
lie was rent and wrecked and dilap-
idated. but rs the fire department had
Just been called out for burning
tSoOdshed he was not remarked.