The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-09-25
BY JEROME SPRAGUE,
Copyright. 1911. by Associated
Literary Press.)


y simply can't CO." said Justine.
i haven't any hat
Il think you are very siliy." said
her best friend. Lucille Goodman.
Well. / like to look my best.
said Justine. L don't want him 10
be ashamed of me
AS II Archie MacAllister would
over he ashamed Of You. You know
he loves the ground you walk on,
Justine"
Well ho hasn't told me- Justine
said.
He will probably tell you to-
night" said Lucille.
Well, Ia have gone" Justine said,
II he hadn't told me that he Was
going to take ma to one Of the big
hotels after the play. I'm as shabby
as | can lie. | haven't bought any
new winter clothes. and goodness
only knows whom I'll have enough
saved up 10 buy any, II takes every
cent I can make TO keep body aud
soul together.
Lucille nodded. 1T takes every cent
any girl can make she said, 70 i've
IN d big city ike this.
Justine stabbed needle into the
hat she was trimming. vicioasly. 1t
seems the irony Of fate" she said.
that there are hats egerywhere and
haven't one 70 Wear. II / had had
time I'd have trimmed up one of my
old ones, but they'll Keep US here
untu nearly theatre time.
II you only dared" Lucille began.
and stopped She was trimming
rose-colored felt hat.
1T IS dream, Lucille said, ana
ran over and put II on Justine he'A",
1t came well down over the eyes
show Ag only little tendrils Of curly
hair als)ut her ears
Look at yourself IN the glass
Lucille commanded.
Justine looked Why, LucAe
Goodman. il makes me perfectly
beautiful
Lucille nodded, why can you
she tempted.
Nobody would ever know, Luctae
said. We Sta here later than any
ono else. and You couId wear II anu
bring 1t back cary in the morning
still Justine hestated. Madame
would never forgive me, she SAID.
Il don't see bit or harm IN IT.
Lucille declared.
Justine wavered. The reflection IN
the mirror showed her radiant Wis
ION. i could wear. that little hfack
net dress of mine she said, and
with this hat IL would be dream
We'll. you take my ADVICE ana
wear it, Lucille was emphatic.
You may never have such another
chance In your life
That night as Justine sat beside
her lover at a little table in 81 corner
of the big dining room. all rosy with
| candle light. she Was thing OF
| beauty.
But Archie did not comment on th'
hat Usually he had nice things L
say about what she Wore, ana sh'
missed his commentator. AT last SIN
/ ventured to draw him out.
do you like 1t she asked.
lie was studying the supper card
What he asked vaguely.
INV hat"
Yes" he said. and hesitated.
| Than he dropped the subject AM
asked her If ii should Se birds o
| lobster.
| Justine felt distinct sense of dis
/ n t,nnin1ment. She mad violated he
! sense of right in wearing the hat
and she felt unless it had made TIL
| impression she had wished to Great
| that all of her worry had been use
| less. 1t seemed to her as they at
| their supper that Archie was not hi
| usual genial self He had nothing
much to say. and all of her chatte
! brought little response
Then all at once Justine started an,
stared. At the other end of the room
group of four people had entered
recognized madame, the milliner VIII