The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-09-15

The Judge Looked and Looked.
The Judge looked startled. I
thought spall left her well fixed" he
muttered. ~
Hannah. shook her head. Drank
every penny up before he died. She'll
lose the place II she doesn't look ont"
The judge was very thoughtful.
After q while he took out q notebook
and did some figuring. Hannah, n
buy In that little house and give II to
Angeline Spall, and I'll settle q regu-
lar income upon her. I can afford It,
and I'll take the prettiest bonnet
you've got here as q present"
Hannah took the petunia hat out Of
the window. 'This. Is the prettiest
hat" she said. and tried 1t on before
him. The judge looked and looked
and looked, and Hannah blushed ana
hastily took OF the hat. This loosened
some of her faded hair and made her
seem quite pretty.
"Put that one away" said the Judge
at last. II think I'll give Angeline
the money and let her choose her own
hat"
81 believe she would rather do that"
said Hannah honestly.
you've lost a sale, Hannah Clay"
smiled the Judge, putting out his large
hand.
Hannah's little work-worn flngerr
trembled as he pressed them. "I'm
coming in again and tell you all about
Mrs. Spall," said the Judge as he left
the shop.
Hannah closed her eyes In mo
mentary ecstasy as she relived the
last half hour. When she opened them
again she saw her own. reflection in
the mirror. 1t was the face OF q
stranger, SO changed It was. She
reached into the window and drew out
the petunia hat and tried it on. She
did not hear the door open gently and
the soft, gliding footsteps Of old Mrs.
Beebe, who, through advanced age and
an almost uncanny knowledge Of hui
man nature, claimed the gift Of
prophecy.
"How be We, Hannah" she CHR
ruped, perching on the edge Of a chair.
THAT hats right pretty"
Hannah started violently and
dropped the petunia hat.
Mrs. Beebe picked 1t up and twisted
it around OF her gnarled fingers.
why don't We treat your wedding hat
better, Hannah Clayy' she shrilled.
That's not a wedding hat, Mrs.
Beebe it's just one I made to SELL"
Mrs. Beebe lifted her hand and
closed her eyes. Hannah realized that
her visitor was about to ''prophesy."
A little chill ran down her spine. Ger
tainly the old woman had foretold
strange things.
"No one shall wear the bridal hat
but the jedge's bride--the hour Of fate
has struck-it strikes once for every
man and woman and then" her voice
suddenly became stern and practical:
BE choice Of that hat, Hannah Clay,
you will need It sooni |" She hoped on
the chair and went out Of the shop,
~chuckling to herself. 4
Hannah stared after her, and then,
Gliding herself the while, she put the
petunia hat away amid much tissue
paper in the prettiest hatbox she pos
sessed. aAngeline Spall may want to
buy IT, she said guiltily, and she
tried to forget Mrs. Beebe's prophecy.
The next day Judge ScottScam to
tell about Angeline Spal and how he
had arranged to make things easier
for her. "She's coming to pick out a
hat, and, Hannah" he hesitated and q
twinkle came into his gray eyes, 'don't
sell the petunia hat n
"Oh-of course not, Judge" stann-
mered Hannah.
It took Judge Scott several months
to discuss Angeline Spall with Han
nah, and he spent many evenings ID
the pretty little shop with It's rag car
pet. Old-fashioned chintz curtains and
rush-bottomed chairs. Sometimes they
talked about the petunia hat ana the
advantages % travel. s.
One evening the Judge suddenly nut
bis arm around Hannah and raid: MI
weldong 3 married ng6f as71. Han.
nah, that hath be ont of style, ana
I've been counting on NY vie sWears
ing it--so if you,n Just get ) pefunia
colored dress--m - the parson-
and I'VE picked ont wedding pre-.
ent Tor You ~already--a fur coat--why
are you cryingl.
Hannah looked up, drying her eyes.
bright now with renewed yorth'
livery WOrnanSScries when her ahour 81
f1te strikes Vie said mysteriously.
oeod sAspaIr Matsrials,
BCOkejnS stone and tar hinAa- go