Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-03-20

lrawled, but I shall have to get q
new one too"
But Maize Marchmont said nothing.
and that night when she went home
she kissed her mother and inquired.
did the things come from the store.
mother, dearf"
And mother dear answered, Yes. but
what in the world. Mazle?" and Maize
laughed and said. I'm going TO trim
hat"
And just at that moment Theodore
called up Cecilia and asked In an aw-
! full tone. did you buy that hatT'
Cecilia retorted: "Of course not.
wouldn't do such a meas trick"
"Well. Of all things" said Cecilia
Ray.
And so. when the day OF the hospital
tea arrived. Cynthia wore white lace
picture hat. and cecIlia's was rosy with
pink plumcs. and Theodore was charm
Ing In a pale blue one with an aigret.
Maize was late. poor little thingw
| said CecilIs. Its too bad she can't
have pretty things like the rest Of u.s."
II love her for her independence"
said Cynthia. "She Is so dear and con-
tented and accomplishing. But every
body is so dressed up today that am
half afraid to see her in her old
But Theodore interrupted her.
Look" she gasped. ''look" And, fol-
lowing the direction Of her eyes. they
saw coming toward them down the
length OF the luxurious room the violet
hat.
And that" murmured Theodore. rs
the creature who bought my hat"
"Why. 1t was the hat I tried to
buy" said Cynthia.
"Well. Of all the thingsw said Cecilia
Ray. Its Maize Marchmontw
They watched her triumphant prog
ress through the rooms, and when she
came up to them Jerry Arnold was in
her train.
They pouaced on her. where did
you get tina. hatT they demanded.
For moment Maize hesitated. for
fastidious Jerry Arnold was at her
elbow.
81 made It myself" she confessed at
last sturdily.
"whaty' they gasped in consort.
"Why. It Is exactly like the one at
Nine. Ashes"
"That was sold." Maize told them.
ito gorgeous lady who smacked of
the stage"
"who saw 1t soldT Cecilia de.
manded.
II saw II go.
With heart full OF woe.'
chanted Maize and flashed a glance at
Jerry Arnold.
He smiled back at her. "Who ever
heard Of schoolteacher trimming a
hatT
Behold the scholarly result" and
Maize made an elaborate courtesy.
Then they all laughed SO gayly that
half dozen bored Harvard seniors
came over at once and asked for tea.
In the hubbub that followed Jerry
said to Maize.
IL wish you would give me the right
to buy all OF your hats, Maize"
Maize opened her eyes very wide
and asked. Are you asking me to
marry you right here in this crowd,
Jerryi"
Jerry flung up his head. and his eyes
shone. I'll shout 1t from the house
tops II you'll let me-"
Little boy" Mazie's voice was
| stoodv h,tt har haart waa hon ting viz
lently. what would you do with a
wife? You haven't finished college,"
But this Is my senior year." he as
serted. land after that my money Is
my own. and IL want to buy your
hats for tia rest Of my days it's no
body's affair but mine"
And mine." Maize reminded him as
some one came up for more tea.
Look here" he whispered as she
dangled her tea ball over pale green
cup. cant you slip behind that Japa.
nese screen presently. where we can
become engaged decently and in or.
| der"
Half an hour later. when Cynthia
asked, where's Mazie?" Cecilia point
ed to the screen.
"She's over there with Jerry Ar
mold" she said. II can just see the
top of the violet hat"