The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-05-20
TheEpening Story
Hats and Happiness.
Copyright. 1919. by W. Werner.

anting rain, heard A. voice speak
% her name and paused. Ruth Ro-
nd had evidently seen her passing
Id had ran out of Flint's. that
rightest Of all bright shops which
htersd carefully to the purse heavy
ID particular Karen's first glance
)ok In Ruth's new velvet sailor and
de laced shoes, whereupon instant
she became sensitively aware OF
er own work-weary. ink-smudged,
hd worn to tatters ugliness. But
nth spoke In that tone which one
|rl employs when she knows an
her girls poor circumstances and
kes her.
"Karen." she said, II was going
round to your house tonight To see
bu. Mark has promised 10 take me
Id any two girls name to the city
morrow for the matinee and din
pr. or course you are one Of the
rls want. Yn have half holi'
by, know. since II Is Saturday,
I'D you could be ready to start at
exactly. It's sure TO be pleasant
her this"
"Oh. can't" cried Karen. Her
Ice Frightening. You're doing the
ndest thing to ask me. Ruth, oh,
blu are, indeed"
Ruth Roland laughed. THE other
RI is Victoria Vail" she said.
ooh" Karen sulped. Il wondered
no IL was"
"Yonll be ready at l2?'
"Without fail" Karen tried TO
nile brightly.
''Victoria Vail IL II had been
~ body else in the world" Karen
fought.
Under a sheltering awning she
Aused and took brief counsel with
prself. An urgent need faced her.
DR. two days she had been STAYING
OF, while the weather grew crisp
and every other female creature,
mployed or idle, came out in con
ncing new headgear. This motor
de had precipitated things. She
ust have new hat. There was
In her purse upon which no nj
rior demand such az food or rent
fuel could be made. She could
be this So for herself and feel no
vinge OF conscience-providing, of
burse. 81 would buy a hat.
In all the town there was just one
bop for such as she. Recklessly
bdging belated cars. she ran across
e street. II was a tiny shop lit
red with millinery. In plain sight
eyond a portiere sat a dowdy lit
woman. sewing rapidly. She
bdded carelessly to Karen and
kme to wait upon her.
Karen. sitting before the glass
ok of her faded straw, pushed up
pr hair and put on the brand new
flor Mrs. Carson handed her. But
pr heart sank. for she had caught
glimpse of the price tag Five dol
rs. She could not AFFORD that.
Haven't you something simpler and
eaper?" she pleaded. Mrs. Car
(n's oflicious suayity stiffened to
I'D Indifference. Certainly, II you
Ire for that kind" she said and
umped down upon Karcn's brown
lir magenta trimmed tricorne,
20 sizes too small. with pair OF
diculous feelers a foot high.
Something in brown--or blue--or
ack." Karen suggested, feeling
bpe fleeing OH why were all the
cara bic hats made so dear and all
u possible ones so hideous, Her
ice grew paler and wearier as the
in her purse shrank and shriv
led to the price Of green cordu.
~ tam o'shanter with dangling
II tassel
"Oh couldn't wear that" She
we miserable glance around. Il
less won't take one just now.
l--perhaps come in again" She
umbled out into the street. muir
uring thanks and apologies. and
ware that she had made an enemy
rever. Home she sped 10 find her
other scurrying here and there
tn basins and buckets.
"The roof has sprung a leak
ore expense" moaned Mrs. Fuller.
md the buffers out Can you eat
m on your bread for supper
"Anything. I'm not hungry" re
ed Karen.
That evening while the last driz
OF rain tinkled into the dishpan
d Mrs. Fuller dsrned stockings,
Aren sat, pretending to read, and
eng not one word before her.
She has no business, she argued
kntally. to be friends with people
Re Ruth Roland when she herself
red under a mortgaged roof
hich also was leaky one-and
brked in Smith a Miller's law of.
|es for $s week, which was 81
pre- than she earned or would
We been paid by anybody who did
4 value her for her dead fathers
Ike. She had no business to go
ling In Mark Roland's beautiful
" Glide when her clothes were a
bgrace, and nothing >eou+d ever
me of such folly save added grief
d disappointment. For Mark Ro-
nd did not care for her and never