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


She walked ON for several blocks.
the incident still ranking.
Suddenly she stopped. For "A mo-
ment she stood transfxed as she
gazed across the street at a familiar
igure with a familiar swinging stride,
IL was WARREN
Needless OF cabs and motors. she
started 20 rush across the street He
I had now paused on the corner as
though To take "A bus. Fearlessly
Helen darted through the maze Of
, traffic, the drivers shouting at her.
Warren had raised his cane at an
approaching bus and was just about to
jump on when she rushed up and
caught his arm with a painting
oh Warren, Warren"
Hello, where'd you come from 20
Internationally.
"Oh. / was so afraid wouldn't
catch you. Oh, dear, isn't il wonder
ful 20 meet this way on the street ?
/ It's the first time we ever have" incO-
herently
She Tells Warren.
Well, that's no reason for your
getting run over" as cab wheel
crushed her dress and he drew her
back 10 the sidewalk. What do you
want? It's almost now. I've got to
Z L !.
Want to go with me-"
"Oh, yes. yes" eagerly.
''Where've you been, anyway
When Helen caught her breath she
told him about the millinery shop she
had just come from, about the hat
and the exOrbitant price.
And il wasn't worth a cent over
500" she finished resentfully, though
] wanted it SO much 1 might have
paid $25."
Z Did you offer her that?"
why, no, not when she asked $50,
What you'd have been the use?"
You're easy There's a mighty big
difference between what they ask and
what they'll take over here. If you
want the hat, go back and tell her
that you'll give her $25. III wager
you'll get it."
she'll never take $25 when she asks
$50"
I I'D be afraid to try her if l didn't
want the hat"
Couldn't you come with me?" ex-
citedly. Its very near here"
"All right? I'm game. Wen call
\ her bluff
! But as Warren walked back with
\ her toward the shop Helen's citation
was mingled with misgivings. She
| felt the woman would not consider s25
and she did not want Warren TO pay
more.
zone of those smart little shops
where they soak Americans. EN- ," com
mented Warren, as they approached
the window TO which the three hats
and the green velevt curtain gave an
| air of exclusiveness.
The French woman could hardly
/ refrain a smile of satisfaction when
/ she saw Helen re-enter, for she felt
sure of the sale now.
II believe my wife was looking at
! a hat here a few moments ago"
YES" beamingly. as she took the
hat from the window. 1T was eXcep-
| tionally becoming to madame -
wouldn't you like to see il on her2"
That's not necessary sly wife
likes the hat Now I'll tell you what
| I'll do. I'll give you 125 francs-nOt
| a cent more"
The beaming smile fraze on the wo-
mans face.
Why, sir you're-madame must
have misunderstood me 1 told her
the hat was $50
Eyes, and I'm offering you S25
which is about So more than it's
worth. But that's all right" gener-
| ously "sinCe my wife wants the hat"
Warren is Obdurate.
The woman almost spluttered in her
| vehemence. She excitedly explained
that the feather alone cost more than
that But Warren was unmoved. He
wrote the hotel address on his card
and gave il to her with a brief:
There's my address. Wen be az
the hotel at o'clock. If YOU want
| to have the hat there at that time
&C.. O. D.. all right"
But that's impossible sir. To ac-
| commodate madame, / might take off
the feather and let her have il for
| S5O-that's the very best 1 can do
NO. were buying It as II is If
YOU decide before O'Clock that'd
rather have the $25 than that hat
send il around and you'n get the
money. Good afternoon"
"Oh. YOU know she'll never send it,
exclaimed Helen when they reached
the street. why. she was furious
she was insulted at the offer"
| Don't be too sure about that.
| These French shop people aren't so
easily insulted by offers as you think. .
| "But, dear, YOU know she won't
lcOme down that much
| She may and she may not. But
| she's mulling over that offer all right.
Show these people the money and give
| en- a Iadder-they'I usually come
| across. Now where are We? I've got
| 10 send llat caDle-
! IL was five minutes of 8 when they
reached the hotel Helen glanced
eagerly around the hotel Helen
glanced eagerly around the lobby for
! a messenger with bandbOX
( Not vet" suggested Warren. not
I ing her glance as he turned from the
| desk with the key and their mail.
| They had just entered their rooms.
/ Helen had not even taken off her hat
| when there was a loud knock at the
door.
Ii was a boy with a large. white
/ handbook and a G. O. =. bill for 125
| francs
| The next moment Helen was taking
the hat from its tissue wroppings
Us IL all right2' Warren demanded,
drawing out his wallet
| oh. yeS-yes. its perfect" trying il
on before the mirror
! We'll she wasn't so very much in
| suited" grinned Warren as the door
! closed after the messenger
| 1T fits my head SO we'll exclaimed
Helen. irrelevantly. And it's just
right 10 wear with veil. I didn't
dream she'd send it,"
/ she found we weren't so easy and