The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-16
THE EVENING STORY
The Violet Hat.
(By virginia Blair.)

| and velvety, and loaded with violets,
| and Theodora's new calling gown was
| of white broadcloth and her hair was
just the right shade of yellow to set
it off. and the hat was just what she
needed to wear to the hospital tea
81 simply must have it!' said Theo-
dora
81 think you are very foolish not to
buy it, remarked Cecilia Ray, who
was with her.
But Theodore resisted the tempta-
| tion-
nies,'' she said, .sbut I'm living on an
allowance now. And last week
spent everything I had for that
jeweled buckle"
But Cecilia was not listening.
t'I going back" she said. "and
ask Madam Ashe to put that hat
aside. If you decide not to take it
I shall"
Theodore laughed.
IF you buy that hat first, Cecilia,
I'm your enemy forever"
Cecilia made little grimace.
nroohesied 0h, yood oon5den41a make epa gp oar she
relied before, Theo.'
Ashe agreed, smiling .'No one else
shall see it, she promised.
But two hours later. when
GSptnla Sst n tba Alnrgnt fas ma had tried on every
liner brought out the violet beauty.
TITS as good as sold.'' she said, "but
if neither of the ladies take it, you
may have it,
Cynthia tilted it over her eyes "It's
a. beauty" she sighed, 'and just
what I want for the hospital tea.
I'll come in again tomorrow"
mo one else shall see it," madam
promised.
But when. after school, Maize
Marchmont. having taught all day,
hurried into the millinery shop,
Madam Ashe had gone to a belated
lunch. and one of the languid young
ladies who served her customers un-
>arthed the violet hat and tried it on
Marie.
"It suits you exactly" she said.
standing off, and surveying the pretty
girl in the shabby gown.
jected. Il simply can't afford it
take it away, it's too tempting" For
brighten UP her old crepe 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 languid
young lady superciliously got out
toques in green, and picture hats in
blue, and tailored hats in brown, Ma
zie's eyes went back to the velvet
beauty.
'Tt is the only thing that is really
becoming" she said, and she tried
it on again, and noted the simplicity
of it, the curve of the brim against
her FURNISHED hair and the way the
vfolets were massed on the crown.
But I can't have it, she said, as
she took it off. I'm sorry, but none
of the others suit
AS the langufd young lady started
to put it back into the box, there
swept into the shop a regal individual
all rustic 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
lady, unbending graciously in the glow
Of a good sale, smiled and said: "It's
much more becoming to you. You
are younger and prettier.'
Maize laughed and b1ushed, and
suddenly 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 vel
vet and a 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 at
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 Ma
zie bravely. 1--WE made over my
mauve crepe. and put some touches Of
gold on it, and it doesn't look badly, |
but it isn't fine, by any means"
Cynthia smiled at her. ''You are
prettier than any of us, Maize March
mount she said, $50 you needn't |
worry
Maize smiled at them lovingly. That
was the dear thing about these three |
rich friends of hers in the days of |
had never been left out of any of their |
pleasures.
shall We wear hats?" Theodore |
asked.
"Of course" said Cynthia
And then there was dead silence.
For each girl was thinking of that |
violet hat! Theodore how it would per-
feet her white broadcloth, Cecilia Iazily
anxious to 'ook her best, Cynthia revel-
ing somewhat conceitedly in the effect |
her high-bred loveliness would have on
certain naughty Harvard seniors, Maize |
seeing herself beautifully in Jerry Ar
Presently Theodore went on some
what hurriedly, II shall have to buy
new one"
$50 shall l." said Cecilia.
Its an awful bore,'' Cynthia drawled,
"but shall have to get a new one, too"
But Maize Marchnlont said nothing,
and that night when she went home she
kissed her mother and inquired, did
the things come from the store, moth
er dear?"
And mother dear answered: Eyes. but
what in the world, Mazie?'' and Maize
laughed and said, Pm going to trim a
hat"
And just at that moment Theodore
called up Cecilia, and asked in an awful
tone, did you buy that hat?"