Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
Too Much Efficiency
by j. E. Rath.

as SUM dS LLe ldIS ALIVE.
! Constance walked out in a daze. He
was going to buy an economical hat
and he had telephoned to the Luxem.
bourg! She whistled softly and
wrinkled her forehead in perplexity,
Oh, WELL there was nothing to do but
, wait. But she was intensely curious.
Half an hour H. Hedge summoned
her to the library There were many
hat-boxes there. under the chaperonage
Iof two young women whose own hats
identified them as eminently qualified
for their duties
I'VE are ready to examine hats" he
said briskly. pushing aside his work
and nodding at the hat custodians.
The first hat was large and Of pro-
fuse richness. The efficiency man shook
his head. Constance demonstrated.
But at least l may try 1t on
He shrugged his shoulders and she
tried it on, surveying the effect in a
mirror
IT'S exquisite" murmured one Of
THE saleswomen. ut possesses the
proper coloring for mademoiselle."
That's where you're off," snapped
H. Hedge Its the wrong color entire
lily. Next hat"
The next was also large, and it was
apparent at a glance that the efficiency
man disapproved Of 1t. Large hats. he
knew, ran into the large bills. But he
submitted to watching the hat placed
upon Constance's head. She frowned at
the result, and he checked smile Of
satisfaction. She, too, knew 1t was ex-
pensive-he was proving his case.
Followed succession of hats which,
to the efficiency man, were plainly con-
structed to sell by acreage. He was pa
tient, however Constance could try
them on, If she wished-but she could
not buy. He had committed himself to
hat to prove one of the truths of
economy and efficiency, but he YVES
Isteadfast against extravaganza.
mo small hats?" he asked finally
But yes, indeed" said the second
saleswoman. Some that are exquisite"
"Trot 'em out, please"
There was very pretty parade Of
small hats, but nearly all Of them H..
Hedge merely shook his head. He was
not to be deceived; he recognized the
high cost Of living when he saw It.
They bore all the outward evidence of
with some of them, and sighed when
she read his steady disapproval
At last he became impatient and
began diving into boxes himself Three
hats he tossed aside carelessly, bring
ing EXPLANATIONS of dismay from the
young ladies Of the Luxemborg. Then,
suddenly, he was all business.
Here We are he said "Put this
on"
It was the tiniest hat Of all mere bit
of velvet. Not stitch of trimming, not
a solitary ornament graced it. It was al
most Quakerish in its simplicity. Yet,
as Constance placed 1t on her head, It
suddenly assumed rakish, little afr
of its own, 80 that 1t became more
than haiti was saucy sentiment
Like that" he demanded
Constance did like It. Anybody would
have liked it because of sheer pertness
and mischief Of the thing. But she was
canny. She merely shrugged her
shoulders.
ut is exquisite said the first sales
woman.
1t seems they all are" remarked the
efficiency man dryly How about your
opinion, Miss Brooke?"
1T is not bad she said reluctantly.
"But-"
Her glance wandered toward the dis
carded creations. H. Hedge shook his
head promptly.
"Too high priced, the rest of that
stuff. No. this hat Is reasonable. Any
body can see it's cheap. Yet it's good
hat. It's durable, simple. and doesn't
carry any circus spangles. Does 1t At.
What is it-a seven?"
One of the Luxembourg ladies was
about to break into vivid speech when
Constance checked her with glance.
1.-The hat fits quite WELL she said
gravely.
81 thought so. Want IT."
WHY believe so-with your con-
sent, of course"
"All right. How much is it,"
1--WE have not the prices said the
chief saleswoman. "They were not sent
up with the hats. But il monsieur"
Never mind. Monsieur can tell a
cheap hat when he sees it. 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
it 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 Luxembourg
put the extravagant hats back in the
boxes, while Constance hurried up to
her rooms. She planted herself before
a mirror and made a short speech to
the hat.
"You little dear" she exclaimed
softly. 81 love you for being so plain
and simple and cheap. And I'm SO
glad they sent up all the other horrid
ones. But oh I'm afraid something
is going to happen. But he bought you;
he said so. And I won't give you up.
I'm going to make sure Of you by
wearing you-right now! We're going
out for walk, little hat-just you and
l. Come-let's hurry"
While Constance and he little hat
went for a walk. H. Hedge was grin
ming in satisfaction.
ITS not going to be such an awful
job to put economy and efficiency
across on this houSe after all ~ he