The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-06-08
THE DAILY
Isl IOR q q $40. .
The Hour Of Fate
~ KATE EpMoNos.

ByskATE EoMohoS:
n nIss HANNAH CLAY came
MI back from the postottice and
49, paused In front Of her own
millinery shop.
the windows look real tasty, IL
! do say II as shouldn't" she muir.
muted. THAT plum hat with the
u pet1nias would do right well for
Sme, but where would wear IT."
She smiled cheertully and went in.
side. As abe passed the long mir.
ror she smoothed her faded hair
which, the wind had ruffled In a
most becoming manner.
\ THAT wont do, Hannah" she
ktoid herself; folks will be saying
You're trying to look ypung.g
People never wondered much
bout Hannah Clay's spinsterhood.
rhey knew she had been pretty
inongh and was stu attractive In
gentle, faded way, like a sweet
oseSthat begins to wither, and that
she didn't marry 1t was because
ahe didn't want to.
She was thinking about that now
rs she saw q mother-one OF her
schoolmates-pass with young
Aughter. II might have had sons
md daughters" she unused, and
hen blpshed holly at the thought.
she was glad Of an interruption.
Il proved to be Judge Scott, and at
he sight OF him she felt very faint.
III her small savings were In his
bank. Was he bringing her III
aewb3
Good morning, Hannah" he said
PLEASANTLY, bending his handsome
old head TO enter.
Good morning, Peter" returned
Hannah, fluttering behind the glass
Ease where the flowers were.
"You can't imagine what came
Ior," said the Judge, putting his hat
on the case and adjusting his
|glaeses.
Hannah sasped. II think I can
guess she said brokenly.
THE bank has failed and my
ioney's gone" she whispered.
He threw back his head and
hughedlmellowly. Passersby heard
and wondered.
m twas anything but bonnet
hop I'd say that Judge Scott was
there declared one man.
ut isn't the bank, then?" sighed
Iannah relieyedly.
bless you, no-bank's sound as
nut. Icame to buy a bonnet"
"A bonnet?" repeated Hannah
YES. You mustn't breathe a
ord about 1t; it's a secret between
is two. You know my cousin, An.
Feline Spall-llYes up the hill and
is two seats ahead Of me In
urch9n
0t course / know her."
Ever see that awful brown silk
net she wears year in and out?'
It IS old as the hills" agreed
nnahy "but she looks real well
W Angeline would be quite
hooking II she wasn't wor-
80 for money"
The Judge looked startled. II
Thought Spail left her well fixed"
ie natittered.
Hannah shook her head. Drank
Every penny up before he died.
She'll lose the place II she doesn't
look out"
The Judge asivery thoughtful.
sfter awhile he took out a note.
ook and did some figuring. "Han.
aah, Ill +buy in that little house and
give II to Angeline Spall. and III
settIe a regular. income upon her.
can afford II, and I'll take the
1prettiest bonnet you've got here as
present."
Hannah took the petunia hat out
81 the window. This Is the pretti-
est kat.s she said. and tried It on
before him. The Judge looked and
look ed-and looked, and Hannah
blushed and hastily took OF the
hat This loosened some Of her fad.
ed hair and made her seem quite
pretty.
put that one away" said the
Judge at last. II think I'll give An.
yeline the money and let her choose
her own hat.H
~ believe she would rather do
that, said Hannah honestly.
You've lost a sale, Hannah
Clay. smiled the Judge, putting out
NUS large hand,
Hannah's little work.worn fingers
fembied AS he pressed them. "I'm
looming In again and tell you all
labout Mrs spall," said the Judge as
he left the shop.
Hannah closed her eyes in mo-
mentary ecstacy as she relived the
last hour. When she opened them
again she saw her own reflection
in the mirror. It was the face OF a
stranger, so changed It was. She
reached into the window and drew
out the petunia hat and tried 1t on.
She did not hear the door open
gently and the soft, gliding foot.
steps gof old Mrs. Beebe, who
tlfouRh advanced age and an al
nest tincahny knowledge Of human
mature, claimed the gift OF prophecy
How be We, Hannah" she CHR
ruped; perching on the edge of a
tair ssThat hats right pretty"
Hannah started violently and
dropped the petunia hat.
Mrs! Beebe picked 1t up and
twifled It around on her gnarled
fingers. why don't ye treat your
wedding hat better, Hannah ClayT
she bhrillad.
sThat's not q wedding hat, Mrs
Beebe. fits Just one made to SELL y
MES Beehe lifted her hand and
elosed her eyes. Hannah realized
That her visitor was about tc
s'prophesy, A little chill ran down