The Press., 1920-07-08
SPRING HATS. By FANNIE MEDBURY
 PENDLETON.

|
 The soft spring breeze, with its
 promise of wonders to come, entered
 through the open window and gently
 lifted the silvery curls upon the fore
 head of Miss Honor, as she stood re-
 garding herself quite seriously In the
 mirror. The reflected face smiled
 back at her suddenly and the rose
 flush deepened in her cheeks.
 "I expect I'm very foolish," she mur-
 mured to herself, but don't suppose it's anybody's business If I am. I've saved up the money by littles, and to think that the very one l dreamed of Is right in the milliner's window, just as I imagined 1t ought to look All violets, and with purple velvet strings. It seems as though 1t was right should have 1t" Her eyes dropped to the gray bonnet in her hand. You've served seven years" she said whlm- sically. land that's long enough" There was pleased smile on her face as she opened the side door and looked out into the western sky. A girl was entering the side gate, and . saw her.
 : T wonder what's the matter with Nelly?" she thought. "She ain't walk ing as spry as usual"
 At Miss HOnOr's kindly welcome and invitation. the slender figure in it's neat blue print sank down into the cushioned depths of the porch fr hn splint-bottomed chair. She spoke of i the fine weather and inquired after NeHy's mother. who had been i'll for some time.
 Mothers about the same"-the girl steadied her voice by an effort but the doctor says she can't ever be well until she's had an operation" Quite suddenly the f1oodgates were opened and Nelly flung herself down upon the step with her head in the lap of the older woman. Miss Honor did not speak, but let her cry, while with gentle hand she stroked the soft brown hair. Miss Honor was a born mother. In the absence of children of her own, she mOthered the neigh borhood. After a little the girl lifted a face of apology.
 Forgive me, Miss Honor" she said. "I guess Pm tired. School has been hard these hot days. I love the chil- dren, but they are so uneasy, and I've had to be up a good deal nights with mother"
 School Is almost out" ventured Miss Honor.
 The girls slender figure straight ened with a sudden jerk. "I wish 1t wasn't" she cried. "Ive got to earn. Father Is behind with his payments, and 1t will take every cent I've saved to send mother to the hospital. What a horrible thing 1t is to be pOor!' "Yes." answered Miss Honor, after a little pause. Eve always thought 1t must be dreadful; but I've never truly poor" went on the gentle voice. 1 "Of course, there are lots of folks who never have much money, but they have friends and love and wholesome work and beautiful world to live in. : l don't believe there's picture paint , ed to compare with that" she pointed a finger at the sunset. "Oh, 1 do think i we people of the country are so we'll i to do, my dear!'
 The girls mouth set in straight line
 That Is because you are good," she i said, "and you don't mind about not having the things you want. I am wicked-just wicked. and I can't seem 1 to help it. I'd give my life for mother, and I am so thankful I have the money: but I was just down town and there in Clara Payne's shop I saw | three hats. One had viOlets, and one was burnt straw with a wreath of pink roses and black velvet ribbon | strings. The violet one was a bon net"
 l "Yes," breathed Miss Honor. | "I want that rose hat. I want 1t more than I ever wanted anything to | wear. I didn't have a new hat last | year. Father has needed money, so I made the old one do. You are so good that you don't think about such things | as new hats. I don't suppose you could understand"
 Miss HonOr's gaze was fixed upon the shadows of the distant hills. l "I don't suppose so." she echoed softly.
 1 Suddenly Nelly caught her breath in little gasp. A young man and | girl were walking slowly up the street, 1 talking earnestly. When they reached the gate he looked up and hot wave l crimSOned his face at sight of Nelly 1 on Miss HonOr'S porch. The girl with | him laughed in an amused fashion. | Her dark eyes were shining like stars i from beneath a hat that was crowned i with crimson peoples. They passed on.
 i Nelly laughed with little catch ip ! her voice. Miss Honor leaned for. l ward
 Have you and Roger had a falling out?'
 The girls face dropped. "Yes." she said at last. We had some words
 last week. don't know how it start
 ed. I guess I was so tired that I was
 touchy. Anyway" with a brave at tempt at fairness, "you cant blame
 Hlln- DeTSl NTlSHl IS better ionk!nS
 than I am. A man thinks of that" "Nonsense." said Miss Honor crisp
 ly," you must come back in about
 an hour and half and get some jelly ! I'll have ready for your mother" She laid a gentle hand on the girls shoul- der. Don't worry" she said, things always work out, you know" The gate clicked. "Yes," unused Miss Honor. they always do some how, but there are times when we are expected to help work them out, our selves"
 She went into the house, put on her gray bonnet. took her purse and went out again, locking her door and hanging the key in nerfectlY plain