The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-08

N under your nose. Get that hat Inn
nedlately' Do You hearf Tmmedi-
atelyw
The frightened workwoman ran here
and there, pulling down boxes and fer
reting In every corner OF the large
room.
Nine o'clock struck. ana the missing
hat was not found. But all agreed that
Gabrielle was the last person seen
with It. II was then too late to take
further steps, and madame, overfa-
tlgued and nervous, became hysterical
and was borne TO bed crying that her
establishment was ruined, that theft
had been committed, that her custom
ers would lose their confidence In her
and that she could never face them
again.
But she awakened on Easter morning
with her senses restored and with a
well formed resolution In her mind
Since Gabrielle was the last person
seen with the hat, no doubt the care.
less girl had slowed II away some
where and forgotten to mention 1t. She
would 90 to the French quarter and
find out from Gabrielle where the hat
was. There would still be time to get
II and send II TO Miss Lambert before
she was ready for church.
Little did Gabrielle, who was making
her simple toilet and adjusting her
beautiful hat on her sunny hair. dream
OF the fate which was descending upon
her. She paused a minute when she
heard well known voice In the front
room addressing her mother impera-
lively in French.
II am Nine. Louise. | wish to see
your daughter Gabrielle Immediately"
Gabrielle FASTENED to the room. Ma
dame sprang from her seat as she en-
tered with loud cry.
"She has the hat! All, you wretched
thief. how did you dare do this? Did
you expect to wear 1t and get or and
not be detectedi Give me my hat!''
She snatched the hat from the head
Of the astounded girl
II have q great mind to call the po-
lice and send you to jail. II 1t were
not for the disgrace to my establish
ment would do 1t this minute. Oh.
what bold and impudent thiefw
"She calls me a thiefr' cried Gabri-
ellie, pale, trembling and throwing her
arms around her mother as II for pro-
lection. "She says / stole this hat.
Mamma, you know I made 1t of your
old lace scarf"
Are you mad, madamep Nine. de
Kernion said Indignantly. How dare
you accuse my daughter of theft? !
gave her the lace, and she made the
hat"
Madame uttered scorpful laugh and
cast contemptuous glance around the
poorly furnished room.
"Ah. then, you are the princess in
disguised You are lodged thus" with
sweep Of the hand, ''and you own cost
ly point lace, and your daughter does
me the honor to work for me and to
appropriate my property. Bah! No
more Of this! My handsomest hat
which the girl altered, is missing. Il
come here. End 1t on her head. |
can swear to my property. II you both
had your deserts you would be lodged
In jail. Thank me that you are not
And, Gabrielle. never show your face
in my establishment again.
She swept away, leaving mother AMI
daughter as much astonished as en-
ragged.
When madame reached home she dis
patched special messenger with the
hat to Miss Lambert and heard moth
ing more of it that day. But early next
morning she was surprised by the en-
trance Of the young lady.
What did you mean, madame, bs
sending me two hats?" Miss Lambert
asked. "And you deceived me by say
ing that mine was the only one In the