The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-12
Married Life
the Fourth Year
BY MABEL HERBERT uRNER.

BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.
1t was small millinery shop IN the |
Rue Daunou. There were only three
hats in the window. In Paris the
fewer the hats displayed In the win
dow. the higher the prices In the
shop.
Helen had paused to look at one of
the three hats 1t was small, extreme
~ simple, and the same shade of blue
as her travelling suit. Another NOM
ent's hesitation and she entered the
awning shaded door.
Inside there was just one hat on
tall slender brass stem. Except for
this solitary evidence of millinery the
place might have been an undertaking
establishment, so severely plain and
austere were it's dark green velvet
hangings and polished brass rods.
Helen was beginning to fear that
the simple hat in the window might
not be so inexpensive after all. From
behind a velvet screen, which shield
ed many shelves of bandboxes. swept
an impressive Frensh woman In a
clinging, trailing, black satin gown.
She gave Helen just one swift
glance, and then asked in English.
Good afternoon, madame. Is there
anything l can show you?"
II should like to see the small blue
hat in the window" answered Helen,
somewhat disconnected at so instantly
being recognized as an American, but
relieved at not having to depend on
the sign language and her half dozen
words of French.
with pleasure, madame" sweeping
over to the window, the trailing point
yirt
the green velvet carpet.
ut is a smart little model, is it not?"
as she took it out and held it up for
Helen's inspection. Won't you try 1t
on?"
Drawing out her hat pins, Helen
sat down before the long mirror.
The French woman stood back OF
her with the hat carefully poised.
Watching the effect in the mirror, with
the air of performing some difficult
and delicate operation, she slowly low
cred the hat on Helen's head.
"Voila, madam" lapsing into French
with an expressive gesture.
Helen liked the hat. 1t suited her,
and it fitted her head without the need
of an annoying bando.
BIG PRICE.
The hat was covered with lustrous
blue MORE silk, and the only trimming
was a single uncurled feather be-
meath the rim at the side. When Hell
en- first glanced at in in the window,
she had thought seventy-five francs
fifteen dollars Whe she entered, the
estimate rose to twenty dollars. Now
she feared it mighe be nearer twenty
FIVE.
And the price," She tried to ask
it carelessly.
Pardon madam. l will just see,'
glancing at the little ticket inside the
hat -Four hundred francs, madam
That is about eighty dollars in your
money, is it not?
After the first second of blank
amazement Helen was furiously indig-
nant. Did this woman think all Am
orleans were either fools or million
aires? Without comment she took on
the hat and reached for her own.
Her silence was far more discon.
certing to this supercillious French
woman than would have been any
criticism of the price.
Il 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 anythin gelse."
Outside the indignant color still
famed in Helen's cheeks. Eighty dol
lars for a hat which even the most ex-
pensiye New York shops would not
ask over thirty! 1t was almost an in
suit to her intelligence.
She walked on for several blocks,
the incident still ranking.
Suddenly she stopped. For a NOM
ent she stood transixed as she gazed
at a familiar figure with a familiar
swinging stride. 1t was WARREN!
Needless of cabs and motors, she
started to rush across the street. He
had now paused on the corner as
though to take bus. Fearlessly Hell.
en- darted through the maze of traf9c,
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!"
Where did you come FROM" un-
emotionally.
"Oh. was so afraid I wouldn't catch
you. Oh, dear, isn't 1t wonderful to
meet this way on the street? 1t is the
first time we ever have" incoherently.
SHE TELLS WARREN.
We'll, that is no reason for your
getting run over" as a cab wheel
brushed her dress, and he drew her
back to the sidewalk. What do you
want. 1t is almost now. l have got