The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-06-11


fronted by her threadbare dresses and
well worn gloves and shoes.
All" she said to herself as she
gazed at the famous spring hat. This
lace is just like mamma old point lace
scarf which she gave me. No old lace
is handsomer than that Mine is finer
and some ragged, but 1t looks the same.
Then my friend Christine Beaupre
makes lilac sprays like these How
funny. And Nine Louise believes the
hat strictly PariSian."
She smiled at herself in the mirror
opposite Gabrielle was pretty and was
fully aware of the fact And the hat
was such "A beauty Several times she
caught herself looking ut il. and when
Miss Lambert. summoned by madame
arrived. Gabrielle. to her delight, was
selected TO try it on and make altcra-
tiOnS if any We're needed. OF course
Miss Lambert bought the hat When
did the astute Nine Louise fail in dis
posing Of her CONNECTIONS" according
to her plans: There was a slight alter
alton to be made in some of the loop.
ingS. which was intrusted to Gabri-
ellc's Gcft fingers.
BE sure, madame. to send it to me
Saturday" Miss Lambert said as she
was leaving. Don't allow your press
of work to crowd my hat out of YOU
mind"
But certainly not" madame scream
ed, gesticula;ing a vehement denial.
ITO forget, All, dat would be impos-
sible. Mces Rose, you will sharm ali
eyes on Easter day, and if re young
dollar dcy could not get hat like
yours in re city. 1t Is unique, sharm-
ing. as it is re most Sharming young
lady in re city who viii lend grace to
IT."
Miss Lambert smiled and bowed at
ant to know that she was the owner
of something not attainable by her
thousand and one dear friends
On Saturday there was such a rush
of custom at Nine. Louisc's that Ga
brielle did not have time even to get
been taken i'll and was obliged to go
home. 1t was very unfortunate. for it
threw a heavier burden of duty upon
the rest, who We're already greatly
OverwOrked During the rest of the
day the shop was in great confusion.
ITEMS" cried madame in good
French, just as the shop was about to
be closed, and she clapped her hands
to her forehead as if to restrain from
wandering the few ideas her head still
contained. Il believe | have lost my
mind in all this uproar Here is Nine
Ernest Lauves bonnet, and she lives
in the French quarter. miles from
here! Gabrielle. 1t is near the Rue
d. where you live. Take the bonnet
to her. and then you can go home, since
by that time it will he dark and you
have had no dinner"
Poor Gabrielle. exhausted and hun
CRY. was only too glad of an errand
that would release her from the shop
even few minutes earlier than the
others. When she reached home after
dark she was too tired even to think
Of Easter
Nine. Louise hustled hither and
| thther, for there We're many hats and
bOnnets to be delivered to sher Gus
toners that evening.
"And Mile. Lambert's hatw she
cried You must take It to her. Vic
toire. and tell her we were too busy
tn send If haforn"
Victoire went to get the hat. She
returned after several minutes alb.
sence with a troubled face.
Madame. the hat Is not there Ga
briele made the alterations this after
noon. Did you not send 1t by her?"
"NO!' madame cried angrily. "She
took Nine. Lauve's hat You are all
crazy. You can find nothing unless II
is under your nose. Get that hat i'm.
mediately! DO you hear? Immedl.
ately"'
The frightened work woman ran here
and there pulling down boxes and fer.
reting in every corner o. the large
room
Nine O'Clock struck. and the missing