Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-12-12
FATE'S WEB
siiIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIIIlIIIllI
BY AGNES G. BRocAN.


hat. and big John Brand, home for
the first time in many years from the
West. little knew in their hearts that
Fate was slyly drawing them to-
gether.
Perhaps IL Polly had known, she
might have remained in Fairyille. For
her knowledge Of love and its ways
had been gained entirely from certain
books, first censored by Aunt Electa.
From these tales Polly learned that
ideal lovers approached their fair ones
always in an attitude of reyerent hom-
age. Foreknowledge of John Brands
confident manner of claiming his own
might therefore have deferred
frightened Polly from visiting the city.
John himself, fresh from the life OF
the great outdoors, would have scoffed
at being drawn under any circum-
stances into the scented atmosphere
of a ladies' millinery parlor-yet here
they both were, with Fate preparing
to fling her net.
In Polly's sheltered life, the buying
of hat was an adventure. So, her
cheeks flushed with excitement and
her eyes sparkled in pleasure as she
wandered from table to table, select
ing those to be tried on.
Big John. waiting frowningly on
a satin-covered sofa, was overlooked.
With the memory of those perfect he
roes stamped upon her mind, there
was nothing in the Westerner's appear
ance to arouse Polly's interest
She selected velvet turban from
stand Mt his side. and proceeded to
draw 1t down over her fluffy hair. The
effect was charming. The Westerner,
who had been regarding half-con-
temptuously the girls frail daintiness,
sat up suddenly with new attention.
There was an expression in the dewy
eyes beneath the turban's brim which
he had never seen before. Half shy
was the look. and wholly appealing.
John Brand had known many wom-
en--efficient, good and clever. But
their eyes had not shOne with that
self-sacrIficing womanly light, or so
the Westerner thought, for fate, you
see, was holding the mirror.
He was obliged to see the manager
of this great department store upon
a matter of business; his Impotence
led him in the chase to the millinery
department, where it was said that
worthy could be found.
His impotence vanished as ne
leaned back. watching Polly as she sur
veyed her own reflected face.
81 like this shape very much" she
said.
ut is great!" the westerner genial
" commented.
Polly wheeled about, flushing rosily;
she had fancied herself speaking to
the saleswoman, who was not now
near.
1--WE got picture of my mother"
he went on. with little velvet thing
like that on her head; it was taken
years ago. She died before / was old
enough to remember her. But you
make me think of that picture some
way-the hat. the look in your eyes,"
Polly stared.
The strange big man finished
musingly, as though ne had forgotten
her presence.
sT would like to have this same
shape covered in blue" Polly said. Il
made the trip in town today because
II Is necessary to have the hat for a
special occasion. Could you promise
It surely for the day after tomorrow"
Impossible - the woman answered,
work. Twelve hats promised for a
big society wedding tomorrow more
the day after. 1t is an unusually busy
season. Could you not take this pur-
pie shape?"
"The hat must match my blue suit"
Polly lamented.
John Brand. upon his own side Of
the mirror, could not know of the
disappointment through which the
blue-eyed girl was passing.
Polly had dreamed Of the blue suit
and hat she would wear; simple they
would have TO be, but of late fash
ION. No other hat of suitable price
or appearance was available in her
limited search. The train for Fair
Vile would leave soon. She would
have to go back and wear again among
them all her old and faded felt.
II suppose" the saleswoman sug-
gested presently, shat / could per-
suade one of the trimmers to take the
hat home and make II up for you af-
ter hours. But they've been working
so hard they are pretty tired"
Now, though John Brand could not
realize in his experience Of the big
things Of nfe. how very real to Polly
was her disappointment in this in
stance, he did realize the unselfish-
ness Of her prompt response.
"Ohl / would not think OF adding
to the girls work." said Polly. Il viii
come in again at later time"
Around the Westerner's heart crept
a comforting glow. It was as though
after long search he had come upon
that which he most desired.
And as Polly came around the mir
r0r he was talking to the manager.
who listened with Difference