Norwich bulletin., 1920-09-01
THE REMUNERATION OF HATTIE


 ''Ted Stones coming for me at D." said Julie, complacehtly smoothing the ruffles of her crisp ping organdie frock.
 Her sister, Ruth, rocking lazily in a chair on the piazza, glanced at her wrist watch. T expect Jack about quarter past-were going out as far as the Rosecroft Tea House, but we'll be back for supper, Where are you going?"
 If that isn't the siimit!7 was Julie's exclamation. Here comes Cousin Hat tier'
 You would never have guessed that the woman coming up the walk was re- lated to the winsome Morton girls. Although it was hot Sunday after noon, she wore a heavy dark skirt, with voluminous pleats, not the current sea- son style of pleats, but the decade ago variety. It was one of Cousin Hattie's axioms that if clothes were saved long enough their second cycle of modish- ness 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 approach.
 "Oh, please don't Julie, dear" re- she might understand what you're say ing"
 Cousin Hattie had been deaf for a good many years, and this affliction, combined with her other accentricities, had made her a not-to-welcome visitor among her relatives. It was Impossible for her to hear anything, and her friends had long since given up shouting in her ear and resorted to a pencil and paper. Ruth was the only one who seemed able to carry on an intelligent oonversaAon with Hattie without tht aid of the paper and pencil. She had practiced correct lip movement until her cousin could understand her quite well.
 After Hattie had been seated in a comfortable chair in 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'1n going to walk down to the gate and meet Ted there, C she announced from the hallway, as she pinned on her hat T wouldn't want Mrs. Stone to see our fair cousin for the world. Ted said his mother and sisters might be along. I might die of modification r'
 Ruth turning her head, protested. "You ought to b eashamad of yourselfs Julie Morton But go along, if you want to. I'll ask Jack to take Cousin Hattie with us for a ride. She looks so hot and tired "'
 So it presently happened that Cousin Hattie found herself being helped into Jack Cunninehams roadster by a good natured young man. The auto only held two comfortably. But young man must acquiesce with polite smile when his ffancee invites an unprepossessing cousin to go for a ride.
 Cousin Hattie admitted afterwards that she had the time of her life that afternoon. Her knowledge of motor ve- hicIes had heretofore been limited to a certain kind that is useful but not or namental, and that is apt to be bumpy even on a good road, She wacthed Jacks clever handling of the car with admiration. and asked all kind of inte- rested questions. Ruth acted as inter- prefer 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 inappropriate ness of her attire, she disguised hel her feelings very well. But Ruth noticed i her covertly watching the lisht-colored summery dresses of the other women l On the way home, if Hattie had not 1 been deaf, she would have overheard 1 Jack whisper in Ruth's ear:
 "The little bungalow will he finished 1T | just a month from today. Ruthie dear And in another two weeksTwe could hay, l it all furnished and ready to be occupied by two happy newlyweds. Think yol