El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-08
Married Lies Troubles
Warren Buys Helen an $50 Hat For
Fraction of Its
Price.
81 Mabel Herbert UrneF


three hats in the window. In Paris
the fewer the hats displayed in the
window the higher the price in the
shop.
Helen had paused to look at one of
the three hats 1t was small, extreme
" simple, and the same shade of blue
as her travelling suit Another mo-
ments hesitation and she entered the
awning shaded door
| inside there was just one hat on a
ta!I slender brass stem. Except for
| tiilS SOIltary evidence of millinery the
J PIace might have been an undertaking
establishment so severely plain and
| duslere were its dark green velvet
h@nnsings and polished brass rods
helen was beginning to fear that the
J SIMPLE nat IN the window might not be
| 30 inexpensive after all. From behind
! d EeIVet screen. which shielded many
| shelves of band boxes sWept an i'm
| preSslFe French woman in a clingine
| lIaIIlnS, black satin gown.
| she gave Helen just one swift gIance
| and then asked in English
| Good afternoon, madame. Is there
/ anything can show you?"
] 1 ShouId like to see the small blue
+ nat IN the window" answered Helen
! somewhat disconnected at so instantly
oelng recognized as an American but
renewed at not having to depend on the
sign language and her half dozen
words OF French.
With pleasure, madame" sJTeeDing
7 over to the window.
Big Price.
me nat was. covered with Iustrous
DAue more SILK. and the only trim
| ming was a single uncurIed feather be-
neatn the rim at the side. When Helen
IlrSC glanced at it in the window she
nad thought rs francs-S15. When she
entered. that estimate rose to $50. Now
she feared il might be nearer sos.
ana the prlce& She tried to ask il
careIessly, as she tried it on
7
glazing at the little ticket inside the
hat -Four hundred francs madam
Ihat Is about $50 in your money, is it
After the first second of blank
arnazement Helen was furiously indig-
nanC Did this woman think all Ameri-
cans were either fools or millionaires2
lInout comment she took off the hat
and reached for her own.
her silence was far more discon-
cerung to this supercilious French
cism of the price.
7 can show you some other models
some very smart models that are NOT
quite so expensive" hurriedIv as
Helen started to leave the shop
NO, thank you,' coldly. I don't
care to see anything else
outside the indignant color still
Ilamed IN Helen's cheeks. Eighty dol
lars for a hat for which even the u0s+
expensive New York shops would moi /
ask over $50 It was almost an insult !
10 her intelligence
She walked on for several blocks the |
incident still ranking.
suddenly she stopped. For a moment |
she stood transfiXed as she gazed /
across the street at the familiar figure /
win familiar swinging stride It |
was Warreni
Needless OF cabs and motors. she
started to rush across the street He !
ldu now paused on the corner as /
IhouSh to take bus. Fearlessly. Helen I
CARED through the maze of traffic the
drivers shouting at her
Warren had raised his cane At an
approaching bus and was lust about to
Jump on when she rushed up and
light his arm with a painting:
on, warren, WarrenI"
Helloi Wnere'd you come from %
Internationally.
oh. I was so afraid I wouldn't catch
you. on. dear, isn't it wonderful to
meet TINS way on the street? It's the |
Irst time we ever have incoherentIv |
She Tells Warren
ell, mats no reason for your get
ing run over. as cab wheel brushed I
her dress, and he drew her back to the
sidewalk What do you want It's al
most now. I've got to send a cable
ana then I'm through Want to go with
.Oh. yes" eagerly.
Mhere'ye you been. anyway"
W hen Helen caught her breath she
-OlQ MN about the millinery shop she I
had Just come from, about the hat
md the exorbitant price
And 1t wasn't worth a cent over
Ky, she finished. resentfulIy.
though l wanted it so much I might
lave paid S25"
Did you offer her thatT'
-, ny, no not when she asked $50. !
w hat would have been the use2
You're easy. There's a mighty bie /
ltIerence between what they ask and
what they'll take over here If Won 4
want the hat. go back and tell her that
-ou II give her $25- I'll wager you'll
Couldn't you come with me?- ex-
ltedly- 1t very near here"
huff" -i me-
But as Warren walked back with her /
oWard the shop Helen's elation was /
llhgIed with mlsgivings- She felt sure I
ne woman would not consider. $25 and
ne old not want Warren to nav more :
me french woman could hardly re- ,
Tram a smile of satisfaction when she
he sale now I
believe my wife was looking at
. MT mere rev moments ago"
les, slT. 6eamingly. as she took '
ne hat from the window. at was ex-
epuonaliy becoming to madame 1
To 9.1I,o you like to see it on herr" v
Ihats not necessary Ny Wife likes c
ne nat Now, I'll tell you what III !
O. l II give you 125 francs-S25-not a
The beaming smile froze on the wom-
lsunIederstood me. I told her the hat !
Yes. and I'm offering YOU SIS.
men IS about IS more than it's worth. d.
Ut mats all right" generously, since 81
y wife wants the hat"
warren Is Obdurate. .
ne woman almost spIuttered in her | dl
shemence. she excitedly explained I Al
at the leather alone cost her more ] :;
an tnat. But Warren was unmoved ~
wrote the hotel address on his card bl
10 gave 1t to her with a brief: ST
Inere's my address. Wen be at the +
'teI at o'clock. If you want to III
we e, the hat there at that time C o. D.
But that's impossible. sir, To ac- =
madame. I might take off !"
2 feather and let her have it for $50 he
mat the very best can do" m
II was five minutes of six when they ::
acned the hotel. Helen glanced eager III
around the lobby for a messenger da
IN the bandbox 90
Not six yet" suggested Warren. SS :
ting her glance as he turned from VI
E desk with the key and their mail. IA
They had just entered their rooms. ! SsY
lien had not even taken off her hat
len there was a loud knock at the a.