Putnam patriot., 1913-03-14

l drinking in the beauties of the girl | and the hat
 Say" he remarked. that's a peach of hat. Where'd you get it?" q found it in my room" she said.
 Harry must have meant 1t as sur
 prise for me. Now Pm going to sur
 prise him when he finds out I've found
 1t. Let's stroll in the garden"
 Nothing loath. the enamored Pigeon
 accepted the invitation. Harry and
 the Count peeped around the corner of
 the house, with grimaces of wrath and despair.
 Never mind" Harry whispered.
 We've still got hat up our sleeves" General Blazes came from the door,
 bidding the others good night. Tell Harry I'm sorry had to hur- ry off" he said. My wife will surely
 be at home by this time. worrying herself sick over my absence" As he descended the steps Daphne Darlington, breathless, came up the
 walk In her hand she carried hat | box containing the hat she had rushed | to completion as favor to Harry. l That worthy and Count von Fitz nudged each other as they saw the general and the little milliner meet General" said Daphne, dropping 1 the box and clasping her hands. "Daphne," exclaimed the General. The window above opened slowly and
 Mrs. Blazes peeped out upon the tab l leau
 "Soi" the General said, bitterly
 Flirting, were you! And with that
 scrub of Dutch count" "Loafer vat he issl" mumbled the 1 Count. and Harry clapped his hand over the Counts mouth in fear of be-
 ing discovered. Any woman" said the General Sernly to Daphne, ought to be , ashamed of being seen with him" Daphne looked about her for some | way of escape. But the General went l on:
 | And this ring you gave me! His 1 ring! His ring that he-Dfdnt he | give you this very ring?" | No" Daphne answered, nervously. "He didn't give 1t to me, General He he wished 1t on" We'll I'll bet you the scoundrel | doesn't wish it on any other woman." The General tore the offending ring | from his finger and threw it away It | rolled directly to the Count. who grasped it fervently and whispered to | Harry:
 For diss I forgif him all der rest," Harry kicked him, as gentle sig nal for silence. "I suppose" the General accused her, you are back here looking for him. eh?"
 Lucy opened the door and looked out. evidently wondering where Harry
 might have gone. She thought he would be waiting for her on the lawn bench Seeing the General and Daphne she drew back, but she heard his ques- tion about the hat, and Daphne's an- swer.
 No" Daphne said, 'T brought this hat for Harry Swifton." Lucy silently came down the steps and stood in the shadows. "What?" the General asked. "ls he getting up hat trust? He must | think lot of that little fiancee of | his" "Oh," Daphne explained carelessly. "it isn't for her He told me it was | for another woman Daphne passed the General, first picking up the hat box, and tripped up the steps and through the open doorway. The General walked away, shaking with laughter and chuckling: Harry is up to his old tricks" Harry, from his place of conceal ment. was about to rush forth and speak to Lucy, but this time the Count restrained him. Lucy stood and
 sighed:
 "Oh, Harry!" Trimmer appeared, still Juggling his hat box He almost fell down the
 steps, at seeing Lucy alone at last. My time has arrived." he said, ec- statically. My poor. poor Lucy'
 have tried 90 hard to see you alone
 Here! Let me present you this slight token of my affection-this hat! Wear
 1t for my sakel" He was surprised by the eagerness with which Lucy seized the box from his hands.
 "A hat. Yes!" she exclaimed. Give it to me Yes, I will wear 1t" Trimmer was about to burst forth into rapturous words. when she said: Nay. Do not speak to me! Leave me, I beg!" and rushed into the house. Trimmer followed her in. bewildsr- ment holding him dumb for once. Daphne came out of the door. say. ing:
 We'll! They're all going crazy here. I can't find any one who will listen to me at all" Harry came from his hiding place and said
 Did you want to see mel" "Yes. Here's your hat Now. let's have our supper. Harry" Its no use. Daphne" he told her. "I can't accept your kind invitation. You're a couple of years late with 1t. m nav you any price for the hat.