The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-11-26
Observation-Disclosures
T FATE'S WEB
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BY AGNES G. RRocAN.


Wintergreen, planning in her village
home Il trip to the city TO buy II new
hat ma 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 if Polly had known, she
might have remained in FaryiIlc. 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 rcverent pom
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 scoifed
at being drawn under any circum-
stances into the scented atmosphere
OF ladies' millinery paror-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 sparliled in pleasure as she
wandered from table TO table, select
ing those to be tried ON.
Big John, waiting frowningly on
n satln-cOvered sofa, was overlooked.
With the memory of those perfect he
Yoes stamped upon her mind, there
was nothing in the Westerner's appear
ance to arouse Polly's interest,
She selected velvet turban from
stand at his side. aud proceeded to
draw it down over her fluffy hair. The
effect was charming. The Westerner,
who had been regarding half-c0n-
temptuously the girls fgail dantiness,
sat up suddenly with new attention.
There was an expression In the deWN
eyes heneath the turban'S brim when
he had never seen hefore. Half shy
was the look, and wholly appealing.
John Brand had known many wom-
en-efiicient, good and clever. But,
their eyes had not sh0ne with that
self-sacrifcng 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 impatience
led him in the chase to the millinery
department, where it was said that
worthy could be found.
His impatience vanished MS he
leaned back, watching Polly as she sur
veyed her own reflected face.
81 like this shape very much,' she
said.
'Tt is great :" the Westerner genial
ly commented.
Polly wheeled about, flushing rosily;
she had fanced herself speaking 10 |
the saleswoman. who was not now
near.
'Tve got n picture OF my mother"
he went on, with a little velvet; thing
like that on her head: it was taken
years ago. She died before / was old |
nneugh TO remember her. But You |
make me think of that picture some
way-the hat, the Sook In your eyes"
Polly stared.
The strange big man finished /
as though he had forgotten
her presence.
az would like TO have this same
shane covered in blue" Polly said. 81
made the trip in town today because
I is necessary to have the hat for n
special occasion. Could you promise i
t surely for the day after tomorrow"
"Imposslblep' the woman answered, j
I'VE. are swamped with
work. Twelve hats promised for
zig society wedding tomorrow; more
he day after. 1t is an unusually busy
season. Could you not take this pur-
Die shape?"
"The hat must match my blue suit"
Polly lamented.
John Brand, upon his own side OF
he mirror, could not know Of the
disappointment through which the
,lue-eyed girl was passing.
Polly had dreamed of the blue suit
md hat she would wear; simple they
would have to be, but Of late fash
on. No other hat OF suitable price
" appearance was available in her
United search. The train for Fair
lille would leave soon. She would
ave to go back and wear again among
hem all her old and faded felt.
81 suppose" the SaIeswoman sug-
,ested presently, chat I could per
made one OF the trinmers to take the
lat home and make it up for you ar
er hours But they've been working
20 hard they are pretty tired
Now, though John Brand could not
ealize in his experience Of the big
hings Of life, how very real to Polly
vas her disappointment I'm this in
tance. he did realize the unselhsh-
less Of her prompt response.
"Ohi would not think OF adding
O the girls work" said Polly. u will
,ome in again at later time"
Around the Westerner's heart crept
comforting glow 1t was as though
Ifter long search he had come upon
hat which he most desired.
And as Polly came around the mir
or he was talking to the manager,
Who listened with difference.
The manager turned TO shake hands
with his customer. Miss Wintergreen,
md the westerner, whose great suc-
,oss had hcen achieved through recog-