The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1910-05-13
met

OF her hair she would not Just then
have felt it, In giving up the Tuscan
straw 1t came to her that she was CIV
Ing up great deal 5esides-hope and
the possibility of having an even
chance with Fanny and other we'll
dressed girls in winning what she so
much wanted to win-Dan Eustace's
regard
I'm sorry" Miss Fry said She un-
derstood, but she could not OF course
give her hats away
Fanny laughed She felt glad that
Karen could not have the hat for she
saw for the first time that Karen
would be altogether too pretty we're
she fitungly adorned
Karen is awfully economical. Miss
Fry" she said How much Is my
hat? Seventeen dollars? Papa will
send you a check"
She took her purchase, which Miss
Fry had incased for her In a paper
bag. and went out with 1t. holding her
chin high. while Karen followed so
berly
They parted Immediately and Karen
went home to prepare her fathers
supper. Twice she had to leave her
work to fling herself down upon the
old lounge and cry. but when at last
her father came home tired and hun
CRY he found the supper waiting and
Karen unusually gay to greet him
with loving kiss. But after she was
in bed she cried again, and morning
found her looking so big-eyed and pale
that her father was alarmed
Are you sick?" he asked. anxiously.
turning from the glass where he was
taking his Sunday morning shave.
My head aches, Karen said, feebly
IF you don't mind. father | won't go
to church this morning"
Il don't mind. but tho choir will
They need your voice to help out"
! "Oh. there's lots they can get be-
sides me-" Karen said, trying to ease
the bitterness of the words by smiling
So her father went to church with
out her, and she remained at home
and rubbed camphor on her temples
IN give up" she thought. Fanny
will get him Of course. That new hat
Of hers will just finish the business for
me-
She prepared dinner carefully. While
her father ate 1t be gave her news Of
the service. What a nice looking girl
Fal ny Reid was. She had a new hat
All the girls in the choir had new hats.
IL want you to have one too, scar"
he ended. You go tomorrow and
get It,"
Karen said, stoutly my old one will
do. 1t is as good as your coat. When
you can have a new coat III have a
new hat. but not before"
But you are young" her father pro
tested, and I'm old. Old things are
suited for old people. And I'm rather
fond of that coat"
"Oh. you dissembler!" Karen cried,
laughingly. TREMENDOUSLY. And she
went round the table to him and kissed
him.
The afternoon dragged A smart
rain had come on and the streets were
forsaken.
81 won't have to go to church to-
night" Karen thought, drearily. This
ram will be an excuse for my not 60.
ing out"
She read diligently, but her book
did not entertaiS her. Her father dozed
in his chair, and presently. tired from
the conflicting emotions OF that and
the previous day, she. too. fell asleep.
When she awoke the rain had ceased
and the door bell was ringing. Her
father went to answer 1t. A Sunday
caller! Who could 1t be? She heard
her father take a man into the parlor
Then he came and called her.
! Somebody to see you, Karen"
Wondering II the director of the
choir nau taken the pains to look her
up. Karen went into the parlor. But
it was Dan Eustace who stood beside
the little center table waiting for her
Ire come to take you to church,
Karen" he said. in his grave way.
You aren't sick. are you, that you
stayed away from rehearsal last night
and service this morning."
He had noticed her absence. then !
Karen's face lit. Her heart leaped
You'll go, won't your? the young
man persisted.
Il will indeed" Karen laughed
Beside him she walked to church
that night on air. Never had the way
semeu so short. At church the music
sounded heavenly. Karen, carried out
of herself. forgot her old clothes. She
was conscious only of q great new
unexpected happiness. After church
Dan walked home with her The moor
shone. The air was fresh after the
rain In burst of confidence Karen
told Dan the whole tragedy OF the hat
told 1t laughingly. for it seemed
trivial now
But don't you know" he said, when
she had finished, that a man cares
nothing for a woman's clothes so long
as the woman herself interests him ??
They fingered long at the gate and
/ no held hQr hand