The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-09
Evening Story
The Hour of Fate.
BY KATE EDMONDs.

Miss Hannah. Clay came back from
the postoffice and paused in front of
her own millinery shop.
The windows look real tasty, If
INJURED. That plum hat with the
petunias would do right well for me.
but where would I wear it?" She
smiled cheerfully and went inside
As she passed the long mirror she
sn1oothed her faded hair which the
wind mad ruffled in most becoming
manner.
That won't do. Hannah she told
herself; folks will be saying you're
trying to look young
People never wondered much about
Hannah Clay's spinsterhood. They
knew she had been pretty enough and
was still attractive in a gentle, faded
way, like sweet rose that begins to
wither, and that if she didn't marry
1t was because she didn't want to.
She was thinking about that now as
she saw mother-one Of her school
matesEpass with young daughter.
Il might have had sons and daugh-
ters," she unused, and then blushed
hotiy at the thought. She was glad
OF an interruption. 1t proved to be
Judge Scott, and at the sight of him
she felt very faint. All her small
savings were in his bank. was he
bringing her i'll news?
Good morning, Hannah" he said
| pleasantly, bending hts handsome old
head to enter.
Good morning. Peter" returned
| Hannah, fluttering behind the glass
case where the flowers were.
You can't imagine what I came
for, said the judge, putting his hat
| on the case and adjusting his glasses
| Hannah gasped. 81 think 1 can
guess" she said brokenly.
You can, Ell %
The bank has failed and my
| moneys gone" she whispered.
! He threw back his head and
laughed mellowly. Passersby heard ii
and wondered.
IF twas anything but bonnet shop
I'd say that Judge Scott was in
there" declared one man.
1T isn't the bank, them" sighed
Hannah relievedly.
| BLESS you, no-bank's sound as 9
nut. came to buy a bonnet"
! "A bonnet?" repeated HANNAH
| Yes. You mustn't breathe a wore
about it; it's a secret between us two
You know my cousin, Angeline SpaI
Lives up the hill and sits two seat.
ahead of me in church,"
OF course I know her"
Ever see that awful brown sill
bonnet she(wears year in and out?"
TT is old as the hills" agreed Han
nah, but she looks real we'll in II
Angeline would be quite sweet-lookins
II she wasn't worried so for money"
The judge looked startled. a.
thought Spal1 left her we'll fixed" h
muttered.
Hannah shook her head. "Dranl
every penny up before he died. Shell
lose the place if she doesn't look out.
The Judge was very thoughtful
and did some figuring. Hannah, -
buy in that little house and give it t
Angelina Spal, and I'll settle a regu
lar income upon her. I can afford il
and I'll take the prettiest bonnie
you've got here as a present"
Hannah took the petunia hat out n
the window. This is the pretties
hat" she said. and tried it on befor
him. The judge looked and looked
and looked, and Hannah blushed al
hastily took off the hat. This loosene
some of her faded hair and made he
seem quite pretty. v-ts
Put that one away" said the judg
at last. Il think I'll give Angelina IN
money and let her choose her ow
hat"
at believe she would rather do that,
said Hannah honestly.
You've lost a sale, Hannah Clay,
smiled the Judge, putting out his larg
, hand.
Hannah's little work worn finger
, trembled as he pressed them. ''IT
, coming in again and tell you all abou
Mrs. Spall,'' said the judge as he lei
! the shop.
Hannah closed her eyes in momen
i tary ecstasy as she relived the las
! half hour. When she opened theI
again she saw her own reflection i
the mirror. 1t was the face of
| stranger. SO changed it was. Sh
reached into the window and drew ou
the petunia hat and tried it on. Sh
did not hear the door open gently an
the, soft, gliding footsteps of old Mr.
Beebe, who, thru advanced age an
al almost uncanny knowledge of hu
mar. nature, claimed the gift Q
rcphecy.
'TIow be we, Hannah" she CHR
ruped, perching on the edge of chail
THAT hats right pretty
Hannah started violently and drop
ped the petunia hat
Mrs. Beebe picked it up and twirle
If around on her gnarled finger.