Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-03-20
.T!leviOIetHat
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted. 1909 by Associated
Literary Press.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.

Just the right Shadc OF yellow TO set IL
or, and the hat was just what she
needed to wear to the hospital tea.
~ simply must have itv said Theo-
dora.
Il think you are very foolish not to
buy H." remarked Cecilia Ray. who
was with her.
But Theodore resisted the tempta.
ton.
"I'll 20 home and count up my pen
Mes" she said. I'm living on an
allowance now, and last week spent
everything had for that jeweied
buckle"
But Cecilia was not listening.
I'm going back" she said, "and ask
Nine. Ashe to put that hat aside. II
you decide not to take 1t, shall"
Theodore laughed
III you buy that hat first, Cecilia.
I'm your enemy forever"
Cecilia made little grimace.
"Oh. you'd make up" she prophesied
confidently. We've quarreled before.
Theo."
But she went back, and Mime. Ashe
agreed, smiling. mo one else shall see
It," she promised.
But two hours later, when Cynthia
Albright had tried on every hat in the
place, the complacent milliner brought
out the violet beauty. IT'S as good as
sold," she said. but II neither Of the
ladies' takes 1t you may have It."
Cynthia tilted 1t over her eyes. ITS
a beauty" she sighed, land just what
! want for the hospital ten. I'll come
in again tomorrow"
"No one else shall see It," madame
promised.
But when. after school. Maize
Marchmont, having taught all day.
hurried into the millinery shop Mime.
Ashe had gone to a belated lunch, and
one Of the languid young ladies who
served her customers unearthed the
violet hat and tried 1t on Marie.
EFT suits you exactly" she said,
standing Off and surveying the pretty
girl In the shabby gown.
"Oh, but the price," Maize objected.
81 simply can't afford 1t. Take 1t away.
It's too tempting" For she was think
ing how II would brighten up her old
Grape afternoon gown and how she
would like to look her best with Jerry
Arnold home for the holidays and sure
TO be ut the hospital tea.
'Show me something cheaper" she
said. with a sigh. But. while the Ian
guild young lady superciliously got out
toques In green and picture hats In
blue and tailored hats In brown, Ma
zle's eyes went back TO the velvet
beauty.
"It Is the only thing that is really
becoming" she said. and she tried 1t
on again and noted the simplicity Of
It, the curve Of the brim against her
FURNISHED hair and the way the violets
were massed on the crown.
"But can't have IT," she said as she
took 1t of. I'm sorry. but none Of the
others suits"
AS the languid young lady started to
put 1t back into the box there swept
into the shop regal individual, all rus.
tie and perfume and glitter. and she
bounced ut once ON the violet hat, and
before Maize had finished pinning on
her veil the hat was sold.
When the regal individual had swept
out again Mazle said to the girl. "Oh,
just let me have one more look at It,"
And the languid young lady. unbend-
Ing graciously In the glow OF a good
sale, smiled and said: Its much more
becoming to you. You are younger
and prettier."
Maize laughed and blushed, and sud
denly her eyes were lighted by an
idea, and she rushed out Of the shop
and into big department store, and
the next hour was spent In buying
velvet and hat frame and violets.
At o'clock she hurried to Cecilia
Rays In time TO meet Theodore and
Cynthia, who with Maize and Cecilia,
were to serve ON Mrs. Rays table ut
the hospital tea.
Cecilia took them into her own lux
urious sitting room, and they had tea
and mullins In the glow Of pink can
dies.
And. now. what shall we wear?"
Cynthia asked.
"Our very bestest." said Cecilia.
MY bestest isn't much" said Maize
bravely. 1--WE made over my mauve
Grape and put some touches Of gold on
1t, and It doesn't look bad. but It isn't
fine by any means"
Cynthia smiled ut her. you are
prettier than any Of us. Maize March
mont" she said. 80 you needn't wor-
ry."
Maize smiled at them lovingly. That
was the dear thing about these three
rich friends Of hers In the days Of
poverty since her fathers death-she
had never been left out OF any Of their
pleasures.
'Shaii We wear hatsT Theodore
asked.
"Of course" said Cynthia.
And then there was dead silence.
For each girl was thinking Of tha'
violet hat-Theodora how II would
has. Ia