South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-21

II was a millinery shop in the Rue
Daunou There were only three hats
in the window. In Paris the fewer
the hats displayed in the window the
higher the price in the shop.
Helen had passed to look az one
of the three hats. II was small. eX-
tremely simple. and the same shade
OF blue as her travelling suit AnOth-
er moments hesitation and she en-
tered the awning shaded door.
Inside there was just one hat on a
tall slender brass stem. Except for
this solitary evidence Of millinery the
place might have been an undertake
ing establishment. so severely plain
and austere were its dark green velvet
hangings and polished brass rods.
Helen was beginning To fear that
the simple hat i'm the window might
not be so inexpensive after all From
behind a velvet screen. which shield
cd many shelves of baudboxes, swept
an impressive French woman inc a
clinging trailing black satin gown.
She gave Helen just one swift
glance and then asked in English:
Good afternoon, madame. Is there
anything 1 can show yOu2"
'I should like &c see the small blue
hat in the window" answered Helen
somewhat disconnected at so instant
~ being recognized as an American,
hut relieved at not having to depend
ou the sign language and her half
dozen words of French.
with pleasure. madame" sweep
ing over 10 the window. the trailing
point OF her skirt wriggling snake-like
over the green velvet carpet
It's q smart little model. is it not -
as she took il out and held IL up for
Helen's inspection. Wont you try 1t
on?"
Drawing out her hatpins Helen sat
down before the long mirror.
The French woman stood back Of
&er with the hat carefully poised.
Matching the effect in the mirror with
the air OF performing some difficult
and delicate operation, she slowly low
cred the nat on Helen's head.
VOLTA, madamel' lasping into
French with an expressive gesture.
Helen liked the hat. 1t suited her
and it fitted her head without the
ne ed OF an annoying bandO.
The side view is perfect" purred
the French woman, giving her a hand
mirror.
The hat was covered with lustrOus
blue MORE silk. and the only trim
ming was q single uncurled feather
beneath the rim at the side. When
Helen UfSL glanced at IL IN the WIN
dow she had thought 10 francs-$15.
When she entered that estimate rose
90 $40. Now she feared It might be
nearly sos.
And the price," She tried to ask
il carelessly.
Pardon, madame. i will just see, -
glancing at the little ticket inside the
hat. Found hundred francs, ma
dame. l vii just see" glancing at the
little ticket inside the hat -Four
hundred francs. madame That is
about $50 in your money, Is II not p"
After the first second of blank
Amusement Helen was furiously indig-
nant Did this woman think all
Americans were either fools or mill
lionaiTes2 without comment she
took of the hat and reached for her
own nat.
Her silence was far more discon-
certing to tbs sUpercillious French
woman than you'd have been any
criticism of the price
'I can show you some other models
some very smart models that are
not quite so expensive" hurriedly as
Helen started to leave the shop.
mo, thank YOU" cOldly. Il don't
care to see anything else"
Outside the indignant color still
famed In Helen's cheeks Eighty dol
lars for "a hat for which even the most
expensive New York shops would not
ask more than so, IL was almost