The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-09
REVELATIONS
OF A WIFE
sY ApELE~oARsIsoU.


Who Ultimately Paid for the Coveted
Hat?
The afternoon following my glimpse
of my husband and the girl from
Virginia-whose name 1 knew only
as Edith in the suit department at
Hambers dragged miserably for me.
Mrs. Durkee followed my purchase
of hat with two for herself, and then
I went YEARLY with her up to the
suit department again, where she in
sisted upon my selecting a spring
suit.
The only one I liked in the shop was
a midnight blue serge, with vest, col
lar and pocket Innings of cream color
embroidered with tiny corn flowers.
The price tag attached to it was a
fairly reasonable one, and 1 took it.
oh. dear!" sighed Mrs. Durkee in
the fitting room, while the worn little
seamstress took my measurements.
81 don't want to bother you, but 7
can't help but think how well that
blue hat with the cornflowers upstairs
would go with this suit. It's just
made for it,"
"T know" said. for the same idea
had come to me, but it can't be done
my dear"
1 spoke lightly, but with real regret
behind the gayety.
Il wish some old uncle or relative 1
never heard of-so I couldn't be really
sorry, would die and leave me a lot of
money" Mrs. Durkee said chiIdishly
Then I'd buy everything pretty in
the shop for you and me. It's horrid
to have to count the cost of every
thing"
started, so violently that the needle
of the seamstress pricked me, and
gave an involuntary little Shrek.
was ashamed of myself when 1 saw
the poor little sewing womans per-
turbation, but glad that Mrs. Durkee
would attribute my start to the ac-
cident instead of to her words.
Why Not Buy?
For her naive wish had recalled
to me the fact that did have such a
relative, although neither Mrs. Durkee
nor any one else save Dicky and the
Underwoods dreamed that the rich,
mysterious Broadway "Quester," Rob-
ert Gordon, was in reality my long
missing father, Charles Robert Cor
don Spencer.
Just before he had gone away to
South America. he had left me the
handbook with money for ANY emer-
gency or wish of mine" I had put it
carefully away. for I had not needed
it while with Lillian. my own savings
being enough for my simple wants. |
and since that time the happiness of /
my reconciliation with Dicky had put |
it completely out of my mind, but the /
money was there. it was mine, and |
there was enough of it to make my |
purchase of the hat I wanted a modest |
matter.
a sudden resolve came to me, a re- |
solve that am afraid had it's hidden |
roots in resentment against Dicky, |
gladness that I had the refuge of a |
fathers purse and protection. would |
purchase the hat wanted so and pay |
for it from the money my father had /
given me.
But I was reluctant to let Mrs. Dur
kee know OF my change of purpose. |
I had a dread of my comment, even /
from so friendly heart as hers. How I
to slip away from her long enough to |
purchase the hat was my next prob
lem. Unconsciously she played di-
rectly into my hands.
"The Sale Is Made"
Gracious, it's after one o'clockr'
she said, looking at her wrist watch. |
You must be nearly starved. Wen /
go TO that tea room spoke Of at
once. But do you suppose you could |,
wait until 1 go over to the mems de-
partment? I must see abou1 some
pa jamas for Alfred, his old ones are
past even his mothers mending."
Go right ahead I said heartily.
"I'll go up TO the woman's waiting
room and freshen up a bit. You can