Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-10-13
TOO MUCH
EFFICIENCY
A CLEVER SERIAL STORY.
By r. ]. RATH.
Author Of when the Devil Was
Sick" One Cylinder SAM" etc.

Three hats he tossed aside carelessIv
bringing EXPLANATIONS Of dismay from
the young ladies OF the Luxembourg
Then, suddenly, he was all business
Here we are" he said. Put this
on"
| 1t was the tinicSt hat OF all, a mere
bit of velvet Not a stitch of trim
ming not solitary ornament graced
it. 1t was almost Quakerish in its
simplicity. Yet, as Constance placed
it on her head, it suddenly assumed a
rakish little air of its own, 80 that it
became more than a haiti was a
saucy sentiment.
Like that" he demanded
Constance did like 1t ANYBODY
would have liked it, because of the
sheer pertness and mischief of tho
thing. But she was canny. She
merely shrugged her shoulders.
ut is exquisite!" said the first
saleswoman.
1T seems they all are" remarked
the efficiency man dryly. How about
your opinion, Miss Brooke?"
ut is not bad" she sail reluctantly.
But"
Her glance wandered toward the
discarded creations. H. Hedge shook
his head promptly.
Too high priced, the rest of that
stuff. Now, this hat Is reasonable.
Anybody can see it's cheap. Yet it's
a good hat. It's durable, simple, and
doesn't carry any circus spangles.
Does it fit. What is it--a seven?"
One Of the Luxembourg ladies' was
a tn int
Constance checked her with a glance.
The hat fits quite WE'LL" she said
gravely.
Il thought So Want it?"
"Why-I believe so-with your con
sent of course?"
All right. How much Is itr
We have not the prices" said the
chief saleswoman. They were not
sent up with the hats. But If mon
sieur-'
Never mind. Monsieur can tell q
cheap hat when he sees 1t, likewise
a strongly built hat Miss Brooke
buys this hat. Tell them to send up
the bill. Phone me, by the way, as
want to get 1t in my records today
and send" the regular requisition. Now,
you can bundle up all that millionaire
stuff and sell it to the easy marks
good day"
The two ladies from the Iuxem-
oourg put the extravagant hats back
In the boxes, while Constance hurried
up to her rooms. She planted her
self before mirror and made a short
speech to the hat.
You little dear!" she exclaimed
softly. Il love you for being so plain
and simple and cheap. And I'm so
glad they sent up all the other horrid
ones. Butch, I'm afraid something
is going to happen. But he bought
you; he said so. And l won't give
you up. I'm going to make sure of
you by wearing you-right now!
We're going out for a walk, little hat
just you and l. Come-lets hurry"
While Constance and her little hat
went for walk. II. Hedge was grin
ming in satisfaction.
It's not going to be such an aw
full job to put economy and efficiency
across on this house, after ALL" he
Miss Brooke has Just learned
an important lesson. Took it sensibly
too. That girl has a head on hecI
shoulders. II she'll only use It,"
Twenty minutes later the telephone
rang.
"Oh, it's the Luxembourg. is It? All
right. Yes, took that small hat. It's
what? oh, / don't care anything
about the model being exclusive. That
stuff Is all rot, anyhow. No, and ri
don't care whether it's from Paris or
Pittsburg. That's more rot, too. Just
send the bill, and let me have the
amount now. WHAT"
II. Hedges dark hair bristled.
Say that again! What"
He had started to write a memoran-
dunn, but his fingers trembled.
"A hundred and fifty dollarsI Cut
that OUT I didn't buy all the hats
lust one! The little one!"
He swallowed hard and listened
again.
That was the most expensive hat
n the bunch? Paris-exclusive? And
hundred and fifty! Say, are you a
nilliner or burglar? Wait! Hold the
vire!"
He raced out into the hall and
into Matilda.
Where is Miss Brooke?" he de-
'She went for walk a few minutes
go"
'Did-did she wear a new hat"
She did," answered Matilda ston-
ly.
II. Hedge gulped. wiped his fore
lend, and walked slowly back TO the
library. The receiver off the tele-
hone hook attracted his attention. He
licked it up gingerly.
Send up your bill" he said. what?
Why certainly! l know a hat when I
ee one"
Then he sat Gown heavily and be-
an marking aim,essly- on pad. But
ne marks gradually assumed the
orm of letters:
STUN9