Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1915-07-09
shoulder and saw the frightened violet
eyes glancing up at him.

shoulder and saw the frightened violet
eyes glancing up at him.
He nodded significantly at the hat.
No use denying IT," he said impo-
litely and grimly. II saw you take it.
was In Miss Dodd's when you came
in and took it. If you'll give 1t back
to me. why, III hush the matter up"
he concluded sternly.
You are too kind" she said hum
bly,, with downcast eyes. II will do
more than that. sir. I will go back to
Miss Dodd's with you and take the
hat"
THAT would be the better way"
said Charles, quickly, and, Percival
having mysteriously vanished he fol.
lowed the girl back to Locust lane. II
knew-er-you know--I could tell in
minute you were suddenly tempted,
and-of course-it is a peach of q
hail" he explained alphabetically.
A pair Of sad violet eyes glanced at
him from under the brim of the hat
You think so?" she asked demurely,
and, although he talked volubly all the
way back to the millinery parlor. the
wearer of Miss Dodd's hat merely an
swered in monosyllables She ap-
peared depressed.
Charles Graham felt more like a
criminal himself than a clever young
lawyer leading wrongdoer to justice
Don't be afraid" he whispered at
her elbow as they neared Miss Dodd's.
"You are very kind" She flashed a
glance at him that he did not under
stand. An onlooker might have called
it admiration, but Charlie, being mod
est, did not attempt to classify it.
Once inside the shop, they both
glanced at the hat stand. The little
felt hat was gone!
Curtains parted in the back Of the
room and Miss Artemisia appeared,
smiling benevolently upon the young
pair.
"Your sisters hat is all ready, Mr..
Graham" she nodded at him, "and
how do you like your hat, Miss Chris
sy?" She turned to the girl and
touched the dainty headpiece with a
professional finger.
'It's lovely, Miss Dodd!" cried the
girl enthusiastically.
She whirled around before the mil
liners admiring gaze and as she
turned her mischievous eyes caught
fieeting glimpse Of the sheepish
countenance of wretched young
man.
Il found your felt hat on the stand,
Miss Chrissy," went on Miss Dodd,
$50 knew you'd been and taken your
hat"
Il am delighted with it, Miss Dodd,"
said the girl sweet thy, land if you will
give me the bill" her voice trailed
into silence as she followed Mics Dodd
to the desk in the corner.
Charlie Graham took the opportunity
to escape. His car tore up the avenue
of the Graham place at a breakneck
pace.
Ethel Graham jumped up from her
chair as he paused before the veranda.
what is the matter. Charlie?" she
demanded excitedly.
"Say, do you know girl named
Chrissy?" was his answer.
Ethel stared at him. Are you
crazy?" .,.. -.
"1 will be if you don't answer" he
said positively.
There is Chrissy Smith-her folks
have just returned to their old home
that brick place in Locust lane
and"
Charlie groaned dismally.
you haven't run over her" de-
manded Ethel tragically.
"No-I ran after her." confessed her
brother, and then, relying upon his Sis
ter's loyalty as we'll as her sense of
humor, he related the events of the
afternoon.
"You poor thing!" gurgled Ethel
when he had finished "Wait until
get my coat and will 90 with you and
we can straighten it out"
And fifteen minutes afterward, as
Charles car glided down the sunlit
length of Locust lane, they overlook
Chrissy Smith entering the gate OF her
home. The dainty hat was poised on
her charming head and when she saw
the car and its occupants beautiful
color invaded her cheeks.
IT hope you don't think stole any.
thing but the hat" she laughed as they
came up to her.
Tam afraid you have, Chrissy," said
Ethel with mock gravity. Charlie
seems to have missed something"
copyright. 1915, by the Mcclure News