South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-14
REVELATIONS OFA WIFE
: BY Adele GAErtsoa


Lillian's enthusiasm prepared me
TO like the smart hats displayed in
the modest yet tastefully appointed
little establishment we entered a
few minutes later.
A tall, slender woman. with an
attractive face, sUrrnounted with a
crown Of gray hair, and attired in a
modish black gown Of rich material,
rose from a desk at the back OF the
shop as she caught sight OF Lillian,
and came forward with hand ex-
tended.
1--WE brought you a very dear
friend OF mine, Miss Denman, -
Lillian said, as she clasped the out
stretched hand warmly This is
Mrs. Graham, Miss Denman," she
went on. See that you find some
thing that suits her face"
That ought to be j very easy
task" Miss Denman returned. smil-
ing down at me.
Yes. shouldn't it," Lillian re-
Joined, with an answering smile.
felt a trihe foolish and a bit an
noyed at the undisguised hattery
which the older women were giving
me. but ! knew the real affection
behind Lillian's compliment. and the
words of the other woman lacked
the fulsome insincerity which marks
the manner of so many of her type.
/ was not long in selecting the
hat / wanted. Miss Den'man took
one long. shrewd, appraising look
"a mo. tbav e,at-a On aecfg+.v. , lou,
toned direction. The girl vanished,
toreappear again shortly bearing
three hats. each Of which deserved.
III headgear ever did, the much
abused term creation"
Il should advise one of these
three for Mrs. Graham" she said
quietly
/ tried them al on, with little ex-
clamation Of delight at their beauty.
but the last, a chic little affair OF
black velvet with the brim slightly
rolled. the sombre color enlivened
only by touches OF white ermine.
with single perfect scarlet rose
nesting against the fur, seemed
especially suited to my face.
Why Madge Gasped.
Miss Denman stepped up. pushed
it ever so slightly TO one side, huffed
my hair out gently from beneath il.
then said quietly TO Lillian: That's
about it, eh?'
Simply perfect" Lillian answer
ed, and as / looked at the reflection
of the hat in the glass I felt that
her encOmium was not too strong.
What is the price of it?" I asked.
You are fortunate" said Miss
Denham smiling. 1T is the cheap
est one OF the three. 1t will cost
YOU $35."
I gasped Ny ideas Of the prices
Of hats came from my memories Of
my teaching days when my salary
had to cover all my mothers ex-
penses as we'll as my own. I had
paid SIS for the hat in which I was
married. and had mentally con-
demen myself for what I termed
my reckless extravaganza. Ny
summer hats had been fairly mex
pensive affairs, so that the price
staggered me.
I think Lillian saw my dismay,
for she said tactfully:
This will be such a useful little
hat, Madge. Being black and white
you can wear it with almost any
costume" Her tone and words
conveyed subtly 10 me the impress
sion that she felt I ought to take
the hat
1 remembered Dickys Injunction
for heavens sake not 10 con-
slider the price'-and decided swift
~ TO make a plunge.
1T is indeed beautiful" I said
nonchalantfy Il will take it,"
Where shall I send ito"
thought rapidly for moment.
WANTED it for Wednesday after
moons meeting of the Study club.
but I should not need it during my
mountain trip. Lillian. with her
usual quickness. solved the diff
Gully
AS you're going out of town,
Madge, why not send it up to my
apartment" she said. You can
run up and get it on Wednesdays.
and I'll keep il for You while you're
gone
Thank YOU Lillian. that viii do
very nicely / returned
But as I paid for the hat and left
the store. wondered if I should
never be able 10 spend money freely
for clothes. as Dicky would like to
have me. without the little guilty
feeling at my extravaganza that
was experiencing now.