The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1919-10-16
"A PURPLE HAT
~ FANNIE ,. LlNsKY.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

herself, the very DcSl HcaSOA al tH'
World for being all three.
And that reason was, Of course
man A most exasperatfng, Irritating
fascinating, good-looking, likablt
xonng man. In other words, 1t wa.
poh HARDWOOD, who had been coming
- see her so long and so steadily thai
ali the other boys in town had dropped
off,"
II know he means to propose" she
said wrathfully, not addressing anyone
IN particular, and she slammed her
hook into the corner.
II thought last night that he was
inst on the verge Of saying something
but then-Tve thought that dozen
times before now and nothing ever
came of 1t y
She got out of the hammock and
picked up the much-despised book. Il
suppose might just as well finish my
story" she said half aloud. ITS good
one, too-but every time I think Of Bob
Harwood It makes me so angry can't
even read"
The afternoon wore on, and Anne
was aroused from her reading by the
CHEEKY whistle of the gray-haired post
man as he came up the path on his
afternoon rounds.
Anything for me. Mr.. Hobbs?" she
called out gayly.
"Only one letter, Nannie," he called
back, for the old man had known Anne
since her pinafore and pigtail days,
and they were great friends.
"Why, 1t pears to me like it's your
Aunt Martha's writing" said the old
man, scrutinizing the letter closely.
wonder what she's got to be writing
about?" he observed. as he handed
over the misslve. and he stood there
waiting to hear the news. For wasn't
he postman-and as such expected to
know who got letters-and where they
were from-and what they were
about? That was Mossville etiquette,
established Of old, and far be 1t from
Silas Hobbs to neglect his duty in this
regard.
you must be mind reader. Mr..
Hobbs" said Anne, glancing through
her letter. 1T is from Aunt Martha,
and she wants me to come and spend
a week with her.
"Now, you take my advice, Anne,
and 60 right along" said the old man,
wisely shaking his head. you know
what you've told me bout a certain
young maxwell, this'll be just the
thing. If I was you, I'd 60 right up
and get ready now, and I wouldn't
say nothin' about it, neither. Take
my advice now, and run along and
pack. You just stay up at the farm
for a week or ten days, and don't
write him word, and guess thatl
bring him to his senses If anything
ever will"
"Why, do think that you are right,
Mr.. Hobbs. It's the very thing" said
The girl, getting quite excited at the
thought of running away.
Mary, the maid, was just finishing
her work for the day.
I'm going away for a week or SO,
Mary" said Anne, as she entered the
spotless kitchen where Mary reigned
supreme, "but it's to be dead secret,
md if you'll come up and help me pack
before you go out, so that ! can get
away, I'll give you my purple hat that
TOu liked so much"
"Oh, thank you, Miss Anne" said
Nary, "and indeed I'll help YOU"
So they packed, and when all was
lone, Mary went of to prepare for her
evening out"
Down the street that evening saun-
cred Mr.. Robert Harwood. He had de-
lded to call upon Anne. She did not
xpect him, very true, but still he was
ure she would be glad to see him. She
lways was.
Enjoying his after-dinner cigar he
urned the corner of her street and
azed over at the house.
Just then the door opened and down
ne steps lightly tripped young wom-
n. He would have recognized Anne
nywhere by the purple hat that she
vore.
Good gracious, what's that| NUT
cred Bob Harwood, as he stepped
ack into the shadow.
"Anne--and a man! Oh, what q
Dol I've BEEN" he calculated, sud
emily brought to his senses. "Now /
oppose some other lucky fellow has
topped in and cut me out. Well, it
erves me right for waiting so long
ut by Jove! won't give her up so
aslly. I'll ask her to marry me to-
lght If / have to sit up all night and
ait for her to come home" and he
rode across the street and gave the
III Jerk that made 1t resound
rough the whole house.
Footsteps strangely familiar came
ming down the hall. The door open
and there stood-Anne.
Why, I camel mean I saw"
And I conquered I suppose" fin
led Anne sarcastically, but smiling
his confusion.
mo, haven't, that is--not yet" said
10, recovering himself little, "but
come to-Oh, hang it all. Anne, will
u marry me?"
Les, WILL" said Anne, so prompt
mat he was shocked ali over again.
But where is your purple hat"
~ Bob, cautiously, an hour later,