Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-09

buy In that little house and give 10 to
Angelinc Spall, and I'll settle a regu-
lar income upon her. I can afford IL,
end III take the prettiest bonnet you've
got here as present"
Hannah took the petunis hat out Of
the window. This In the prettiest
him. The Judge looked and looked
and looked, and Hanuah blushed and
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. IT think III give Angsline
the money and let her choose her own
hat"
~ believe she would rather DO that"
said Hannah honestly.
you've lost q sale. Hannah Clay"
smiled the Judge, putting out his large
hand.
Hannah's little work worn fingers
coming In agnin and tell you all about
Mrs. spall," said the Judge as he left
ths shop.
Hannah closed her eyes In momentary
ecstasy MS she relived the last half hour.
When she opened them again she saw
her own reflection In the mirror. 1t
was the face Of a stranger, so changed
II was. She reached into the window
and drew out the petunia hat and tried
II on. She did not hear the door open
gently and the soft, gliding footsteps
| Of old Mrs. Beebe, who, through ad-
| vanced age and an almost uncanny
knowledge of human nature, claimed
tho Gift Of prophecy.
How be ye, Hannah7' she CHR
ruped, perching on the edge Of chair.
THAT hats right pretty"
Hannah started violently and drop
ped the petunia hat.
Mrs. Beebe picked It up and twirled
why don't yet treat your wedding hat
better, Hannah Clay?" she shrilled.
THAT'S not o wedding hat. Mrs.
Mrs. Bcebe lifted her hand and
closed her eyes. Hannah realized that
her visitor was about to prophecy"
| A little chill ran down her spine. Ger.
tainly the old woman had foretold
strange things.
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 SOON" She hopped of
the chair and went out Of the shop,
chuckling to herself.
Hannah stared after her, and then,
chiding herself the while, she. put the
petunia hat away amid much tissue
paper In the prettiest hatbox she pos
sessed.. "Angcline Spall may want to
buy it," she said guiltily, and she tried
to forget Mrs. Beebe's prophecy.
The next day Judge Scott came TO
tell about Angeline Spall and how he
had arranged to make things easier for
her. "She's coming to pick out hat
and Hannah" he hesitated and n twin
kle came into his gray eyes, Don't sell
the petunia hat"
"Of--of course not, Judge" STAN
mered Hannah.
It took Judge Scott several month!
to discuss Angeline Spall with Hannah
and he spent many evenings in thu
pretty little shop with its rag carpet
old fashioned chintz curtains and rush
bottoped chairs. Sometimes they talked
about the petunia hat and the advan
tages OF travel.
One evening the Judge suddenly pu
his arm around Hannah and said, II
we don't get married right away. Han
nah, that hat'll be out Of style. ant
I've been counting on my wife wearing
it-so if you'll juse get petunii
colored dress-I'll see tho parson--an'
I've picked out my wedding present 70
you nlready-a fur coat--why are yo'
crying?"
Hannah looked up, drying her eyes
bright now with renewed youth. Ever.
woman cries when her hour Of fat
. strikes" she snid mysteriously.
Next complete novelette,--
"His Last Fare