The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-26
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Hat for Camilla.
By II. LOUIS RAYBoLD.

Newspaper Syndicate1
n F Camilla often wondered Just who
the tail young man with the
happy gray eyes was that SO often
rode 10 the fourteenth floor with her,
no less did that young man frequently
ponder the identity of the fair girl
with the roses OF spring in her cheeks
and the summer sun in her hair.
His attention had first been drawn
to her by catching a glimpse In the
crowded elevator Of a perfectly won
derful hat, which even to his mascu-
bne eyes was the acme of chicness,
allure, and expensiyeness. Edging his
way about bit, he had been able to
see the face beneath the hat and was
forced TO admit that each did ljusHc
10 the other. Later he had. been nm
able. to help noticing that the owners
gloves were rather worn that the neat
serge suit was obviously of former
season, and that the sensible shoes
were being helped to hold their own
by shines and new lacings.
One morning, in a very off-hand
way, Peter put the question to his
law partner. Say, Bob do you know
who the young lady b who comes up
10 this floor and turns off to the
tight down the CORRIDOR?
II do that" replied Bob, turning
around in his swivel chair, the better
to give Peter a critical survey. "And
she's some looker-as for her chap
eaux-oh, boy. Since was married /
appreciate good hat when see one,
and, believe me-, she never gets hers
marked down at bargain sale!"
But who issshe?. demanded Peter.
oh, she's stenographer4 to Frappier
ct Gle. that French firm, you know"
obliged Bob, giving out the extent OF
his knowledge. Too expensive for
you my lad.
Just as Peter, for the sake of his
peace OF mind. had decided to cast no
more glances in the direction OF
causing the elevator to halt, suspend
the sixth and seventh floors.
Considering that Peter and Camilla
we're the only passengers, and that for
some weeks now they had been riding
up and down together, it was not odd
for Peter to observe that they would
not be, delayed long, and for Camilla
to reply with q very slight increase
OF color that she trusted not.
After this their acquaintance pro-
crossed inevitably through the vari-
GUS stages Of bowling when meeting,
exchanging comments on the
weather, discussing the newspaper
headlines until one red-lettered noon,
when Peter took his courage In botn
hands and invited her to lunch with
him. and she accepted
BY this time Peter was so far gone
that, to salty his thrifty conscience,
he had invented perfectly satisfying
bit of fiction as, to how Camilla, was.
able to wear such hats. He knew the
answer, OF course. She was one of
those wonderfully clever persons that
could copy one of the creationc in
the shop windows with. such accur-
acy that, once placed on her WELL
poised head, It become Immediately
invested with the very essence OF dis
tinction Of its model.
AT last came the day when Peter
felt that there was sufficient likelihood
of q favorable reply for him to chance
a certain question.
Little girl he said gently, will
you marry me? 1 haven't much to OF.
fer now but IL you are willing to start
small 1 think some day can promise
YOU
eoh, Peter. Peter" interrupted Ca
Hlilla recklessly. What do / care If
we start small? OF course I'll marry
you. can cook and, although never
learn!p.
Overwhelmed by his happiness, the
\ question Of his beloved's hats was the
lfartherest from Peters thoughts. Not
i until many, houre 1afar os ~ .ot 4.
his room, comfortably pulling at an
old brier and letting his mind dwell
lovingly on the dearness OF Camilla,
did the ghost of her words arise to
touble him. She had never sewed a
stitch And It did seem, as il he recall
ed noticing, subconsciously, as they
had sat on the sand that day, that
the ppturned hat beside her bore on.
its SHRED lining the label which spoke
for itseb-Madame Lucille.
We'll, hang 1t ALL" he told himself,
III work nights to see that she
Keeps on getting that same kindi"
The next morning Peter offered to
take off OF Bob's hands little Job the
latter had with that same Madame
Lucille IN regard to customer who
bad never paid her account. If one
was going to marry woman whose
one extrayagance ran to hats, it might
be good idea to get line on their
worth.
Seated some time later-in fact,
during his noon hour-in madame's of.
flee, he was thunderstruck to hear
quite suddenly voice he certainly
recognized. Parting the curtain at
the railing above the desk he was
able to verify his suspicion. 1t was
Camilla!
Nor could he help oyerhearing the
conversation which followed. TRY on
this one" said madame herself, for
whom Peter waited.
= am afraid it is rather expensive"
said Camilla.
Peter decided she was right when he
heard madame say, Nonsense, only
fifty dollars"
That very evening the first words
/, with which Camilla greeted him As she
rose TO meet him in the little stufty
parlor, where she had been waitine
his coming, were, Peter, how do you
like my hat?"
And Peter. strictly Truthful, told
her thatsit was so very beautiful that
twas almost good enough for the dear
girl ffndar IL