Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-03-30
TheVioIetHat.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

! !
E.******++*****+S******+44 I
1t really was a beautiful hat. big
and velvety and loaded with violets,
rnd Theodora's new calling gown was
Of white broadcloth. and her hair was
Just the right shade Of yellow to set 1t
off, and the hat was just what she
needed to wear to the hospital tea.
81 simply must have It." said Theo-
dora.
Il think you are very foolish not to
buy It," remarked Cecilia Ray, who
was with her.
But Theodora resisted the tempta-
tion.
"I'll go home and count up my pen
Mes" she said. I'm living on an
allowance now. and last week spent
everything had for that jeweled
| buckle"
But Cecilia was not listening.
I'm gcing back" she said. "and ask
Nine. Ashe to put that hat aside. II
you decide not to take #. shall"
Theodore laughed
"If you buy that hat first. Cecilia.
I'm your eu0my forever"
Cecilia made a little grlmace.
"Oh, you'd make up" she prOphesied
confidently. We've quarreled before.
Theo."
But she went back. and Nine. 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 If neither OF the
ladies' takes 1t you may have It,"
Cynthia tilted It over her eyes. Its
beauty" she sighed. land just what
want for the hospital tea. III come
In again tomorrow"
NO one else shall see It," madame
promised.
But when, after school. Mazie
Marchmont. having taught all day.
hurried into the millinery shop Nine.
Ashe had gone to belated lunch, and
one Of the languid young ladies who
served her customers unearthed the
violet hat and tried 1t OIL Marie.
1T suits you exactly" she said,
standing of and surveying the pretty
girl lu 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 1t 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 at the hospital tea.
"Show me something cheaper" she
said, with 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
zies eyes went back to the velvet
beauty.
ut is the only thing that Is really
becoming" she said, and she tried 1t
on again and noted the simplicity OF
1t, the curve Of the brim against her
FURNISHED hair and the way the violets
were massed on the crown.
"But l can't have It," she said as she
took it off. "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 a regal individual, all rus
tie and perfume and glitter, and she
pounced at 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 Maize 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 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 a big department store. and
the next hour was spent In buying
velvet and hat frame and violets-
| At 8 o'clock she hurried to Cecilia
Rays In dme to meet Theodore and
Cynthia, who, with Maize and Cecilia,
were to serve on Mrs. Rays table at
the hospital tea.
| Cecilia took them into her own lux.
urlous sitting room, and they had tea
and mullins In the glow Of pink can
dies.
"And, now, what shall we wearT
Cynthia asked.
"Our very bestest." said Cecilia.
my bestest isn't much" said Masie
bravely. "l've made over my mauve
rrape and put some touches Of gold on
It, and It doesn't look bad. but 1t isn't
dne by any means"
Cynthia smiled at her. You are
prettier than any Of US. Maize March
mont" she said. 80 you needn't wor-
ry."
Maize smiled ut them lovingly. That
was the dear thing about these three
rich friends CT hers In the days Of
poverty since her fathers death-she
had never been left out of any of their
pleasures.
"Shall we wear hatsT Theodore
asked.
"Of course" said Cynthia.
Ard then there was dead silence.
Fer eHch girl was thinking Of that
violet hat-TheodOra how 1t would
lpcrfect her white broadcloth. Cecilia
tzily anxious to look her best. Cynthia
Irevellng somewhat conceitedly In the
effect her high bred loveliness would
have on certain naughty Harvard SEN
iors. Maize seeing herself beautiful In
Jerry Arnold's eyes.
Presently Thecdora went on some.
what hurriedly. II shall have to buy q
new one"
$50 shall l." said Cecilia.
Its an awful bore" Cynthis
Irawled. -but shall have to get
hew one too"
But Maize Marchmont said nothing
and that night when she went hom'
she kissed her mother and inquired
, "Did the things come from the store
mother, dear?"
And mother dear answered, "Yes, bu
what In the world, MazieT and Maxi
-" I'D and said. 'I'm going to trim
lust ut that moment Theodor'