The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-15
The EVENING STORY
The Bachelors Easter Hat.
(By Temple BaiIey.)

side by a wisp of white veil. and on
the other by mauve parasol, it
spring loneliness.
Cunningham stopped and starred at
1t. He liked it's simplicity, the broad
sweep or the white brim the loose
punch of violets. tied with silver
On an impulse he went in and
bought 1t. He murmured something
ABOUT mythical sister, and madame
accepted the explanation placidly So
the hat was sent home, and was en-
tnroned on little table in the alcove
OF Cunnn1nghabs sitting room, a
monument to masculine folly and a.
temptation to little Anne.
Little Anne was the landlady's
niece; she was eighteen, and she had
come into Cunninghams line of vision
for several years, simply as a slim
child, with dark braids hanging down
her back.
When she had finished school she
helped her aunt with the lighter
housewCrk; and it was thus that she
discovered the hat She tried it on,
and awoke for the first time to a
knowledge of her beauty.
now and then Cunningham would
part the curtains, and show his treas
ure to the men who came to smoke
with him.
IF 1 had a WIFE" he once said to
Carpenter, s.! should want her to wear
things like that
Carpenter smiled. laziIy. "Why not
give an Easter tea 2" he drawled I'm
vite all the girls you know, get each
one to try on the hat, and marry the
lady who looks her loveliest in it,
II sha'n't do it that way" Cunning
ham said, briefly. 81 bought the hat
on an impulse, because I liked beauti-
full things. And since I've had it,
I've been led into all sorts Of extrava-
gances. 1 went back to Madame, and
purchased the parasol and the white
veil, and I've squandered my substance
on violets to make the alcove sweet.
1t is as if the spirit of some dear lady
were in there-her face shaded by the
hat, the veil blowing about her should
ers, the flowers at her breast, the sun
shade tapping the toe of her tiny slip
per-"
ooh. tommyroti'' was the caustic re-
Spouse.
"You have no imagination" Cum
ningham retaliated.
Down in the kitchen little Anne was
still at work. Her aunt was sick:
Cunningham's breakfast rolls were yet
to be made; 1t was midnight and it
seemed to her that she had washed
dishes since dawn. Sitting flour, ner-
vously. she talked to the kitchen cat.
I'm so tired, Raggles. that could
lie down and die"
up"
81 am going to run away in the
morning, Raggles," Anne declared, as
she kneaded the dough 81 sha'n't
come home until dark, and If that man
rings I sEa'n't be here to hear it,
ffThat man" was Cunningham. Lit
tie Anne had grown, in the last few
days of drudgery, to look upon him
as a sort of human Juggernaut, who
was crushing her with the weight of
his fastidious demands.
In the morning, when she took up
his Sunday breakfast of sweetbreads
and bacon, she apologized for the
heaviness of the rolls.
I'm not very good at such things
she said.
Cunningham, busy with his grape
fruit, frowned. us your aunt too i'll
to cook?'
"she went to the hospital yesterday.
The doctors aren't very hopeful
"Yes-'' abSently. Then as she
turned to go he called her back. "Oh,
by the way, I'm going to telephone to
some friends to come over to tea this
afternoon. And I want some little
cakes. Your aunt makes such jolly
ones, with pink and white comfits."
For a stunned moment she stood
and looked at him. Then she flung
out her hands in a passionate gesture.
"Oh," she said, 81 don't believe in
giving teas on Sunday-I think every
body ought to have a little rest-on
Sunday. I had planned to go out
somewhere for the whole day-Ive
worked in that dark kitchen until /
can't breathe. And you live up here
with your violets and your pretty
things, and let other people slave for
you
AS the last flaming word burned into
his consciousne she stumbled over
the threshold, and was gone!
Cunningham stood in the middle of
the door. and said to himself, over and
over again. ooh, you selfish pig, you
selfish pig"
Presently he went downstairs and
found her in the kitchen with her
head on the table. crying.
ooh, look here he said, awkwardly, |
'you mustn't. You go out and have
a good time
Little Anne, with the tears still on
her lashes apologized. ct was so tired |
and it didn't seem fair
She seemed such a child that he |
obeyed an impulse to comfort her as
he would a child.
put on your hat and have a ride
with me. My car will be around in
few minutes
"Oh, mustn't"
'rWhy not?"
"I'm such a shabby little thing"
frankly.
Nonsense"
but you should see my hat-it's
ancient
His Inspiration seemed heavenborn. |
SET have a lovely one upstairs"
''I know-I-I tried it on once"
t'Try it on again and let me see."
''Now-realiy."
REALLY, and right now
For a moment she hung back, then |
followed his upstairs. Curtains OF |
silvery green hid the alcove. She went |
behind them and called hack, May I |
wear the veil?'
t'Wear anything"
Then, all at once, her voice cried. |
look. oh. look at me" and with |
quick gesture. she parted the silvery |
curtains, drawing them about her |
again, so that her old skirt was hid |
den.
She had turned in the neck of her /
gown, and had pushed back her
sleeves. so that he had a glimpse of /
white arms and of whittier neck. About /