The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-07-17
md then asked her whittier she was

the II 80, but l missed it. so there is a
| chance we may have to walk down to
Sunny Oaks unless you expect some
one to meet you" said Doris.
Il always walk over from the station
| It's only a mile, and it limbers me up
after the ride down." responded Owen
| perhaps Madge will expect you to
come along about this time and send
the motor down"
Never mind if she doesn't. l can
walk that distance easily. and she can
send up for my trunk. My-box is
such an awkward one to carry"-hesi-
tated Doris. glancing up at an i'm
mense hat box that was wedged in the
rack overhead.
Ovens eyes followed hers. and dis
| gust took possession of him. Another
merry widow?'" he almost sneered
You don't like them" asserted Doris
quickly.
How do you know?' he fenced.
! "Oh, because. Everybody wears
| these huge hats" Doris looked at him
through the screen of her thick lashes.
| They don't become everybody" said
Owen disagreeably.
| Doris stiffened. IF it offends your
taste. Mr.. Fuller, will relieve you
from looking at it any longer"
| So Doris turned her face away. and
! Owen was once more staring disconsO-
! lately at the big black hat trimmed
! with foams of black chiffon and bill
lows of curling feathers. while the pink
rose blushed at him for being so churl
! ish.
Just then the train drew to stand
still. 'Grasmead! yelled the brake
man
Owen reached up a long arm and
tugged down the big hat box from the
rack in front.
| 1t was curOuSly heavy. and he mar
veled at a delicate little thing like
Doris Stanly attempting to lug around
such weighty article. much less hope
to wear it on her head.
Doris sailed out of the car ahead of
him, while he meekly followed bearing
the hat box.
Down the station platform the last
of the smart traps was driving away
with it's burden of arrivals, and there
was no one left save Doris and Owen.
81 don't see anything of the car" re-
marked Owen to his companion. "I'll
go over and ask the agent If they've
been down today"
There was a car down from Sunny
Oaks to meet the II 80 train. and it
came down to the 1902. I didn't notice
any this time. sir" said the man.
"Stage gomez" inquired Owen.
1T doesn't meet this train"
I'VE will have to walk it. Miss Stan
ly," said Owen. approaching the girl.
who stood with her back to him look
ing wistfully down the track.
VERY WELL" she said quietly. II am
sorry about the box: it must be very
heavy, but | don't dare to trust it to
any one else to carry. 1t must be held
Just So"
Owen held the box out awkwardly.
carrying it by the heavy cord which
secured it.
| AS they stepped down the frosty
road between the wild rose hedges.
| now rudy with the scarlet hips. the
brim of her great hat brushed his
shoulder
| In the past her lightest touch had
thrilled him or the merest contact
! with her dainty garments had set his
heart to beating dangerously.
Now he moved a little that her hat
brim might not remind him that she
had caricatured herself through van
ity.
Altogether he worked himself UP
into most disagreed BILE temper which
might have found it's beginning that
day when Blake Ellis had recommend.
ed the picture hat
| In short, Owen Fuller was jealous.
fercely jealous. and he was wrecking
his vengeance on picture hats. large
and small, and especially the ones in
tended for Doris sunny head.
Silently they trod the road. these two
who never found the hours long enough
for the exchange of condolences.
Owens arm grew tired. and he shift
ed the box to the other hand. He could
feel the hat slide heavily around in
side.
Cant carry that for awhile?" ask
ed Doris hesitatingly. 1T must be
frightfully heavy. and it is such an
awkward box"
Dear me. no." said Owen, holding
the box out gingerly from one aching
wrist I'VE will soon be at Sunny
Oaks. Then l suppose you will shift
the responsibility Of this hat to your
head Sort of heavy weight affair.
! isn't it?' He glared malevolently at
the Powered box.
Doris lips twitched. That was all he
| could see beneath the curve Of her hat
| brim.
She was laughing at him. Great
| joke. indeed. for her to cater to Blake
Ellis taste in cartwheels and then ex.
| pect Owen to carry her hideous hats
| home!
You don't care for large hats?'
asked Doris sweetly.
Il hate EN-" responded Owen. with
vigor.
You don't like this one. them"
| Doris turned her head and gaZed at
him out Of innocent violet eyes.
He admitted rather grudgingly that
| L L.