Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1915-07-09

clined to listen to the buzz of CONVEX
sation In the workroom he might have
realized that the three little milliners
were discussing him in what they be.
ieved to be guarded voices. What
they said was fattering, however, to
the son and heir Of the Grahams, and,
indeed, there was little i'll that might
be said of the fine, clean-cut youth
who had won the respect and admira-
ton of his friends Wy choosing to carve
out career for himself instead of de.
pending upon his rich and indulgent
father.
While the voices droned away in the
workroom, Charlie glanced out at the
dullness of the village street, yawned,
stopped short In the middle of a Sec
ond yawn and stared through the lace
curtains at dainty face looking at the
hats in the shop window.
She stood on the sidewalk, outside,
with rather shabby little felt hat on
her sunny head, looking critically at
the creations which Miss Dodd was
displaying for the enticement Of Gus
toners.
Suddenly the girl disappeared, and
Charlie withdrew his eyes reluctantly
from the street. 1t was at this mo-
ment that he spied the hat.
1t was OF a stand at his elbow and
was an ambitious creation Of Tuscan
braid, with little punches of pink rose
buds and blue forgetmenots, with a
fascinating little chin strap of velvet.
.Jove! She would look adorable in
that" exclaimed Charlie enthusiastic
cally. But l expect the poor little
thing couldn't afford this CONNECTION!
I've heard Stella say that Miss Dodd
can make Fifth avenue milliner blush
when it comes to paying for value
received"
A little later he added: II wonder
who she is? That felt hat was shabby
enough"
The shop door opened softly and the
girl in question came inside.
Apparently she did not see him, for
suddenly spying the lovely hat on the
stand, she uttered little gasping cry,
picked 1t up, whirled 1t around on her
hand, tossed off her own little felt hat,
put on the straw one, adjusted the
strap under her dimpled chin, blew a
nonchalant kiss at her reflection in
the mirror and skipped out Of the
door.
Charlie Graham stared for one be-
wildered moment at the felt hat she
had tossed on the stand, and then, In
dignant at the bold act Of piracy, he
followed the charming shoplifter.
The Tuscan straw hat was proceed
Ing down the village street with ap-
parent unconcern, but Charlie was
convinced, with regret, that tho love-
" violet eyes were furtively watching
to see II her theft had been d1scov'
cred.
AS soon as she reaches safe cor
ner she will run for it, or I'm no
sleuth!" he decided, quickening his
steps.
The dainty figure ahead quickened
it's steps also, and as she reached Lo-
Gust lane she turned and disappeared
behind the high hedge that encircled
the grounds on the corner.
Charlie Graham, still in the inter-
est of the victimized Miss Dodd, broke
into a run. When he rounded Locust
lane the wearer Of the hat was saun-
tering slowly along the pleasant shaded
pathway.
But at the sound Of his rapidly ap'
proaching feet the girl turned her
head. paused as II stunned at the sight
of her unexpected pursuer, and then
she. too. ran fleetly, as If for her life.
"The-little-imp gasped Charlie
Graham. who was getting short OF
breath.
The girl in the stolen hat gave him
a pretty race. The west side OF Locust
lane was bordered all the way down
to the bay by high evergreen hedge'
and behind that hedge was great
brick house which had been closed for
many years. Charlie Graham followed
the girl down the length Of this hedge
believing that the gates would De
locked as usual and that ne must Ger
tainly overtake her before tney
reached the waters edge.
But suddenly she swerved to inc
left and vanished through a mario"
gate in the hedge. The gate was open
and Charlie followed after, now glee-
fully certain of capturing his prize.
He was galloping madly around
turn in the path, with tantallzlng
glimpse of the hat beyond a tall shruo
in the distance, when newcomer ap.
peared on the scene in the person OF
/. the former butler in the Graham mousse
hold.
save me, Percival!" shrieked the
fair criminal, grasping the astonished
man about his expansive waist.
Percival opened his arms and Cnai'
lie plunged into them, almost upset
ting the stolid butler.
"Mr. Charles!" shouted the butler IN
Mortified tone Are you-are you
are you"
mo, I'm mott" roared Charles, IN
dignantly. please remove your
hands, Percival!
excuse me. Mr.. Charles, Sir,
\ coughed the servant, "but Miss smith
asked me to hold you-she is afraid
i don't understand, sir" ne add o!
helplessly. .5s 3 4, I. I. !. y, !, I
Charles looked over Psrcivais D1Oau