The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-05-20
TheEpenilg Story
Hats and Happiness.
copyr,sht. lsis. By ". werner.j

slanting rain. heard Q voice speak.
ing her name and paused. Ruth Ro-
land had evidently seen her passing
and had ran out OF Flint's. that
brightest of all bright shops which
catered carefully TO the purse heavy
and particular. Karens first glance
took In Ruths new velvet sailor and
side laced shoes. whereupon instant
" she became sensitivsly aware OF
her own workweary. ink-smudged,
and worn to tatters ugliness. But
Ruth spoke In that tone which one
girl employs when she knows an
other girls poor circumstances ana
likes her.
"Karsn," she said. Il was going
around to your house tonight to see
you. Mark has promised to take me
and any two girls l name 10 the city
tomorrow for the matinee and din
nsr. or course, you are one OF the
Girls I want. You have a half holi-
day, I know. since II In Saturday.
and you could be ready to start 1t
II exactly. It's sure to be pleasant
after this"
"Oh. ! can't" cried Karen. Her
fscs Frightening. You're doing the
kindest thing TO ask me. Ruth. oh.
you are, indeed"
Ruth Roland laughed. The other
giri II Victoria VAIL abe said.
"Oh," Karen gulped, II wondered
who II was"
you'll be ready AT I2?"
without fail" Karen tried TO
smile brightly.
"victoria Vail, II II had been
anybody else In the world" Karen
thought.
Under a sheltering awning she
paused and took brief counsel with
herself. An urgent need faced her.
For two days she had been STAYING
IL of. while the weather grew crisp
er and every other female creature.
employed or idle. came out In con-
vincing new headgear This motor
ride had precipitated things. She
must have a new hat. There was
IS In her purse upon which no ul-
terror demand such as food or rant
or fuel could be made. She could
use this 81 for herself and feel no
twinge OF conscience-providing, OF
course, SO would bsy hat.
In all the town there was just one
shop for such az she. Recklessly
lodging belated cars. she ran across
the street. II was a tiny shop lit
tered with millinery. In plain sight
beyond a portiere sat a dowdy lit
tie woman. sewing rapidly She
nodded carelessly TO Karen and
came TO wait upon her.
Karen. sitting before the glass
took of her faded straw. pushed up
her hair and put on the brand new
sailor Mrs Carson handed her. But
her heart sank, for she had caught
glimpse of the price tag. Five dol
lars. She could not AFFORD that.
Haven't you something simpler and
cheaper" she pleaded. Mrs. Car
sons oficious suavity stiffened to
cold indifference, Certainly, II you
care for that kind" she said and
bumped down upon Karens brown
hair a magenta trimmed tricorne,
wo sizes too small. with pair OF
Ridiculous feelers foot high.
Something in brown--or blue--or
black" Karen suggested. feeling
hope fleeing. Oh. why were all the
wearable hats made so dear and all
he possible ones so hideous. Her
ace grew paler and wearier as the
3 In her purse shrank and shriv.
elled TO the price OF n green cordu-
roy tam o'shanter with a dangling
gilt tassel.
"Oh. couldn't wear that" She
rave miserable glance around Il
guess won't take one just now.
1l-perhaps come in again" She
btumbled out into the street, muir
nuring thanks and apologies, and
AWARE that she had made an enemy
forever. Home she sped to find her
mother scurrying here and there
With basins and buckets.
"The roof has sprung a leak
More expense" moaned Mrs. Fuller.
And the buffers out. Can you eat
an on your bread for SUPPER
Anything. I'm not hungry" re-
lied Karen.
That evening while the last driz-
10 Of rain tinkled into the dishpan
Ind Mrs. Fuller darned stockings,
Laren sat, pretending to read. and
eeing not one word before her.
She has no business, she argued
nentally, to be friends with people
Ike Ruth Roland when she herself
wed under a mortgaged roof
vhich also was a leaky one-and
vorked In Smith q Miller's law Of
css for So a week, which was 81
nors than she earned or would
ave been paid by anybody who did
ot value her for her dead fathers
AXE. She had no business TO go
ding In Mark Roland's beautiful
ew Glide when her clothes were a
isgrace. and nothing could ever
ONE OF such folly save added GRIEF
nd disappointment. For Mark Ro-
md did not care for her and never