The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1920-09-23
HATTIE
BY LOUISE HEARN.


chair on the piazza. glanced at her
wrist watch II expect Jack about
quarter past-we're going out as far
as the Rosecroft tea house, but well
be back for supper Where are you
going?"
IF that isn't the limit" was jules
exclamation. Here comes Cousin
Halter"
You would never have guessed that
the woman coming up the walk was
related to the winsome Morton girls.
Although IL was hot Sunday after
noon. she wore a heavy dark skirt,
with voluminous plaits of the decade
ago variety 1t was one of Cousin Hat
ties axioms that IL clothes were saved
long enough their second cycle of
modishness would come in due time.
You'd think she'd melt in that
high-necked blue waist-and where
does she get her hats?" groaned Julie.
as the girls watched their Cousins ap-
proach.
"Oh, please don't, Julie, dear" re-
monstrated Ruth. Even If she is deaf,
she might understand what you're say
ing"
After Hattie had been seated in a
comfortable chair on the piazza, Ruth
explained that her mother and father
had gone calling for the afternoon and
would not return until supper time.
Meanwhile Julie went into the house
for her hat and coat.
I'm going to walk down to the gate
and meet Ted there" she announced
from the hallway, as she pinned on her
hat. 81 wouldn't want Mrs. Stone to
see our fair cousin for the world. Ted
said his mothers and sisters might be
along. I'd die of modification !"
Ruth, turning her head, protested
You ought to be ashamed of yourself,
Julie Morton! But go along. If you
want to. I'll ask Jack TO take Cousin
Hattie with us for ride. She looks
so hot and tired"
Cousin Hattie admitted afterwards
that she had the time of her life that
afternoon. Her knowledge of motor
vehicles had heretofore been limited to
a certain kind that is useful but not
ornamental, and that is apt to be
bumpy. even on good road. She
watched Jacks clever handling of the
car with admiration, and asked all
kinds of interested questions Ruth
acted as interpreter and relayed Jacks
answers to her cousin.
AT the attractive tea room where
they stopped for refreshments. Cousin
Hattie enjoyed herself unfeignedly. If
she felt any qualms because of the in
appropriateness of her attire. she dis
guised her feelings very well. But
Ruth noticed her covertly watching the
light-cOlored, summary dresses of the
other women.
On the way home, If Hattie had not
been deaf. she would have overheard
Jack whisper in Ruth's ear:
THE little bungalow will be finished
In just a month from today. Ruthie
dear. And in another two weeks we
could have it all furnished and ready
to be occupied by two happy newly
weds. Think you could manage the
trousseau in that time, dear?"
Ruth blushed and murmured softly :
But, Jack, I'D love to, you know.
but I'm making most of my things, and
1t takes so long, and" her voice
trailed away for sheer happiness.
Jack accepted her silence for con-
sent but feminine listener might
have been able to interpolate between
Ruth's words and know that she was
longing for more elaborate trousseau.
but could not afford it, And if the
listener had been relative, she would
nave known that jules selfish de-
mands for fashionable wardrobe had
been so insistent that Ruth did not
ike TO ask for additional clothes, as
the Morton finances were none too
| abundant.
That night at supper Cousin Hattie
sprung her big surprise. Julie had Just
teasingly asked her sister how she en-
Joyed the auto ride Of the afternoon.
Cousin Hattie put down her fork de-
1Derately and answered, while the
others stared in blank amazement.
we had a most enjoyable time
julie" she said. ITS the first time
I've had pleasure ride like that, and
1t isn't going to be the last. Pm think.
/ ing of buying a roadster of my own
and perhaps Jack will teach me how
to run it. No I'm not too deaf to run
an auto, the Lord be praised! That
operation / had performed last veal
was entirely successful, but thought
1t would be an interesting experiment
TO ind out just what people thought
and felt about me. Perhaps II was q
mean thing to do, but II has been fTu
minating, to say the least. And I'm
not as poor as you all have thought
rather left me well provided for" She
paused to look around her, then smiled
at Ruth, and went on.
But first Of all. I'm going to CARR
! Ruth Off to New York with me. n
she'll come, and we're going to buy the
prettiest trousseau in the city. Their
she's going to help me pick out. well
not exactly a trOusseau, but I'll ge
almost as much pleasure from II. Yor
folks won't know me when 1 com,
back Z"
And they didn't At the Cunning
ham-MortOn wedding, celebrated sis
weeks from that day Ted Stones moth
er whispered cOnfdentially:
How distinguished looking YOU
Cousin Harriet Is, Julie, dearl Yot
must bring her to call some day soon
Had Picked Him Out.