Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-19
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE SAMPLE
BY MINNIE M: TOWNSEND

- NU poDb, ullDtTl, 10 tuut u suluplt
1l of the feminine portion of this
village? If so. please tell James to
turn the old nag about IL such thing
can be accomplished. and I'll take the
next train cityward."
Gilbert turned in the direction of his
mothers outraged stare and drew in
his breath with low whistle. THAT"
was slim figure perched jauntily on an
old stone hitching post, her overalled
limbs swinging carelessly and her big
brown eyes mischievously gay under the
1oppy sun hat.
As the old carryall reached the pic
turesque figure the tlimsy headgear came
off with sweeping flourish. Fortu-
nately Mrs. West was looking the other
way and Gilbert wigwagged a signal Of
distress and greeting behind his back
rs they passed. The girl slipped from
her perch, her hat crushed between her
brown fingers. So this was the greeting
she had been looking forward to for
weeks. His mother had passed her by
with cold stare. She glanced down
over her tan overalls perhaps she
should have dressed respectfully. Well,
she just didn't have the time to change.
That settled it.
With the exception of the feminine
Sample" as she called the young lady
in the shocking clothing, Mrs. West
was much pleased with the cozy little
village where she had come at her son 3
urgent bidding to take a much needed
vacation. Since his return from over
seas duty he was spending the entire
summer on farm.
Only once did he take any very great
interest in her plans for the day, and
on that occasion she had said laugh
ingly that she intended to explore the
shopping district" of the little village.
AT that his face frightened and he
exclaimed enthusiastically, "Fine
Mother, you wouldn't believe it, but we
have some mighty fine stores for such
small town. Why, all Joking aside,
we have the dandiest little milliner to
be found this side of New York"
She smiled skcptically. "You don't
believe it? Well. just to convince YOU,
mother. dear, I'll treat you to new
hat. Don't you need one of some sort
not a $40 one, you know. but just a
little sports hat of some kind?"
Suddenly she looked over at him sus
plclously. Since when, Gilbert, have
you been so interested in ladies' hats?''
why, I'm not. mother; the idea -
lie busted himself nonchalantly about
the bookcase. But l do like this
town."
The little hat shop to which they
finally wended their way was indeed
an oasis in the desert of country stores
Its tiny window held several strikingl,
simple hats made up with much in.
dividuality. Inside all was order and
brightness. In the limited amount nj
space an extraordinary amount of com
Iort Tor hat purchasers was found. Mrs
west found herself seated before thu
triple mirror and with gentle surepess
neat salesgirl tried on several very
tasty creations. She was having somt
dlfhculty in selecting one from the sew.
eral that pleased her when she heard
so1t footsteps at her side and glanced
up into the face of the proprietress
Two brown eyes snapped coldly in rec.
ognltion, but the soft lips parted in 4
winning smile. "These two iust or.
rived this morning. Try them, please
Annette"
Mrs. West obediently let them mr.
range the hats at the proper angle
put she mad lost all interest in mer
mats. Apparently studying the effec
from all sides in the mirror. she wa
IN reality taking stock of the slim fiqnr
now clad in soft blue muslin. Sb
glanced suspiciously at her son. bu
ne was staring out of the window. an
parently oblivious to the hat shop oc
cupants. Months ago Gilbert had dis
covered a German machine gun ncs
because of his inquisitveness. II ha
been born in him. Mrs. West turne
back to the subject of hats with n de
termined little air. "I'll take this one
please, and Gilbert, while I am havin
the band arranged, please run over t
the grocer's and get some sugar an
tea Puzzled, he went across tn
street.
When he returned fifteen minute
later the hat still lay untrimmed. an
wonder of wonders, his mother was hold
ing hands with the dreadful Sample.
She viewed him reproachfully. "Sor
why didn't you tell me about this yorn
lady? How was ! to know that sh
had to be farmerette in the mornin
; and milliner in the afternoon to kee
| her young brothers at school? Why. sh
tells me even this mirrored dresse
{ came from her bedroom in the city.
Alphabetically. the young man can
forward and his brown cheeks turne
| suddenly the shade of the tea pack
, age in his hand He gulpcd a litt
E and then suddenly smiled entreatingl,
81 know, mother, and if she will eve
forgive me for my boorishness the otht
morning, I'll buy her whole set fc
a peace Offering
Mrs. West dropped the cool fingc,
she had been holding and glanced
astonishment from one to the othe
t and then she nodded understanding
t ''Humph! The finest milliner her,
n abouts. eh?' and treat me to hat
=. huh? l guess American strategy helpt
S win the war all right and my sc
@ brought some of it back with him."
She turned the chosen hat into
convenient bag. whats a mere ha
u band to the sweetest story in lif,
a I'll sew it on myself, dear. Gilber
4 remember your treat"
'. She left them standing starry ey
- by the dresser.
ir The next complete novelette, RE,