Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-06-26
The Violet
Hat
One That Was Worn at the
Hospital Tea.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.

Theodora's new calling gown was of
white broadcloth. and her hair was just
the right shade Of yellow to set 1t Oh.
and the hat was just what she needed
to wear to the hospital tea.
II simply must have it." said Theo
dora.
Il think you are very foolish not to
buy it." remarked Cecilia Ray. who
was with her.
But Theodore resisted the tempta-
ton.
"l'll 20 home and count up my pen.
Mes" she said. I'm living on an al.
lowance now. and last week ! spent
everything had for that jeweled
buckle"
But Cecilia was not listening
I'm going back" she said. land ask
Nine Ashe to put that hat aside. II
you decide not to take it SHALL"
Theodore laughed.
IF you buy that hat first. Cecilia.
I'm your enemy forever"
Cecilia made little grimace.
.'Oh. you'd make up" she prOphesied
confidently. "We've quarreled before.
Theo." ''@ >''
But she went back. and Nine. Ashe
agreed. smiling. mo one else shall see
it." she promised.
But two hours later. when Cynthia
Albright bad tried on every hat in the
place. the complacent milliner brought
out the violet beauty. Its as good as
Sold" she said. but If neither Of the
ladies' takes it you may have it."
Cynthia tilted 1t over her eyes. ITS
a beauty" she sighed. land just what
1 want for the hospital tea. I'll come
in again tomorrow"
mo one else shall see it." madam
promised.
But when. after school. Maize
Marchmont. having taught all day.
hurried into the millinery shop Nine.
Ashe had gone to belated lunch. and
one of the languid young ladies who
served her customers unearthed the
violet hat and complacently tried it on
Maize.
1T suits you exactly" she said.
standing OF and surveying the pretty
girl in the shabby gown.
"Oh. but the pffcer' Maize objected.
II simply can't afford it Take it
away. It's too tempting" For she
was thinking how it would brighten
up her old Grape afternoon gown and
how she would IKE to look her best
with Jerry Arnold home for the holi'
days and be sure to be at the hospital
tea.
"Show me something cheaper" she
said, with sigh. But, while the Ian
quid young lady superciliously got out
toques in green and picture hats In
blue and tailored hats In brown. Ma
xle's eyes went hack to the velvet
beauty g
1T is the only thing that IL really
becoming" she said. and she tried 1t
on again and noted the simplicity Of
It, the curve Of the brim against her
FURNISHED hair aud the way the violets
were massed on the crown.
But I can't have IT," she said as she
took it OF. "I'm sorry. but none OF the
others suit"
As the languid Young lady started to
put it back into the box there swept
into the shop regal individual. all
rustic and perfume and glitter, and she
bounced at once on the violet hat, and
before Maize had finished pinning on
her veil the hat was sold.
When the regal individual had swept
out again Maize said to the girl. "Oh,
just let me have one more look at it!'
And the languid young lady. unbend-
ing graciously In the glow Of good
sale. smiled and said: ITS much more
becoming TO- you. You are younger
and prettier"
Maize laughed and blushed. and sud.
denly her eyes were lighted BY an
idea, and she rushed out Uf the shop
and into, big department store. and
the next hour was spent in buying
velvet and hat frame and viOlets.
At 5 o'clock she hurried to Cecilia
Rays in time to meet Theodore and
Cynthia, who with Maize and Cecilia
we're to serve on Mrs. Rays table al
the hospital tea.
Cecilia took them into her own lux
urious sitting room. and they had tea
and mullins in the glow Of pink can
dies.
And. now. what shall we wearT
Cynthia asked.
"Our very bestest," said Cecilia.
MY bestest isn't much" said Maize
bravely. 1--WE made over my mauve
Grape and put some touches Of gold or
1t. and 1t doesn't look bad. but it ISM
fine by any means"
Cynthia smiled at her. you arr
prettier than any of US, Maize March
mont" she said. $50 you need no
worry"
Maize smiled at them lovingly. Tha
was the dear thing about these thret
rich friends of hers in the days of pow
erty since her fathers death-she ha(
never been left out Of any Of thei
pleasures.
"Shall we wear hats?" Theodore
asked.
"Of course" said Cynthia.
And then there was dead silence.
For each girl was thinking Of tina
violet hat-Theodora how 1t would per
feet her white broadclOth, Cecilia lazil!