The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-11-12

"Oh. I'll get a good one. all right.
he assured her cheerfully. "A con
servative model, but one with SOM
dash just the same"
So he did. lie was leaving for ,
business trip and bought the new ha
on his way to the train. so as to have
an up-to-date look when he met the
man with whom he was to transact
business. In the early afternoon 9
young boy delivered large round boz
at the Andrews home.
Maybe somebody's sent US pres
ent," Lucy Andrews cried in pleasant
anticipation 1T couldn't be flowers
could it?"
Her mother broke the cord and open
ed the box, and so displayed to view
Andrews old derby.
isn't that just like a man." ex'
claimed Mrs. Andrews. "The idea OF
sending home that old hat! It comes
In handy for me, though. because
wanted to have Dan carry out some
boxes from the cellar and I'll give this
hat as a reward"
Dan was the furniture man. He was
pleased with what he termed swell
lid" and was profuse In his thanks.
I'll wear 1t to a christening Thurs.
day week." he said. "An' won't be
the swell guy, thought
That night cold rain came down in
torrents. and Mrs. Andrews did not
sleep well. because OF new worry
that troubled her Getting up to look
after the windows, she reused Lucy
to whom she expressed her worry.
"Your father'll be home tomorrow
morning." she said. "and I'm perfect
~ sure the first thing he'll ask for is
that derby hat If it's raining like
this he just can't wear his new
straw hat to the office. tt would look
absurd"
"Oh, never mind" Lucy said cOEsol.
ingly. "YOu can't tell what tho wealth.
er's going to be. Maybe it'll be hot
tern anything tomorrow morning."
But it wasn't. Further. Andrews
had barely kissed his wife and daugh-
ter before he asked for his old hat
"IIat?" his wife said vaguely. What
hat? | thought you wore your hat out
Of the store when you bought it,"
II did wear my straw hat mean
the derby. It beats all how unaccom-
modating some stores are. The man
promised faithfully to have that derby
up here yesterday afternoon, yet he
doesn't seem to have meant word he
said. Lucy. II you don't eat SO rapid
ly you won't choke
Lucy sat on the window seat in the
dining room for two hours that morn.
ing watching for Dan. supported by
the excitement of it and by the Joy Of
staying at home from school. When
Dan finally arrived she summoned her
mother with joyous shout.
I'm sorry. Dan." Mrs. Andrews said
awkwardly but I didn't understand
that Mr.. Andrews wanted that hat. II
you don't mind. I'll be very glad II
you will bring It back today"
TIL bring 1t II I can, ma'am," he
said. grumpily. "But loaned it to a
friend OF mine to wear to a dance TO-.
night and I've got to hunt him up"
Mrs. Andrews gave him a silver dol.
lar. which he rung on the step before
he condescended to accept It. Then
there was nothing to do but wait. The
day seemed as long it would never end
dragging its weary hours along until
nearly five o'clock. and perilously near
the homecoming hour.
Dams been here to take out the
ashes" Lucy said. cheerfully. Il
guess he didn't find the hat after all .
Mrs. Andrews went out in the rain
to the next door neighbours, where she
saw Dan.
oh, got It." he said sourly. "But
| had to give the Teller so cents for
it."
Mrs. Andrews refunded the 50 cents
and Dan appeared at once at the door
bearing the hat in its box, for all the
world as though 1t we're a weddne
cake or a basket Of eggs. Mrs An.
drews was so glad to get It that she
almost wept. and stood off to admire II
after she had hung it on the rack in
the hall.
There's no use saying anything ia
papa about it," she told Lucy. II,
would just worry him to think I had
SO much trouble. Here he comes now y
The door swung open to admit the
man Of the house and a CLEAN of late
sunshine.
"Hello!" Andrews cried breez,,v
MY. but I'm glad to get home. Well
WELL there's my hat at last. Look,
sort OF funny. doesn't it? Ppbabl, ha
caus I've been wearing my new ona |
THU ter all. my dear, won't boths,
with that derby. | didn't realize tho,
II was 50 shabby. You'd better give !,
, to DAN"
!. lts Kind.