Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-03-21
A PURPLE TIE
BY MARGARET MORAN
[11525251525251S15
60, 1923, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.


20. 1928. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate)
There is an ancient saying to the
effect that affection of the deeper sort
blinds the eyes Of the affected pair to
any imperfections one for the other,
or, in other words, that love is blind.
This saying undoubtedly may be true,
but it does have its exceptions.
Hazel Dorm certainly was in love
with Ernest Hallon. She knew it.
And Ernest Hallon-well, he could not
help succumbing to the charms of
Hazel's blue eyes and light, curling
hair. The result was inevitable, and
the wedding date set.
Now, love may be blind, but 1t was
not SO afflicted in this particular in
stance. Hazel was aware that her
fiance had a most deplorable taste In
neckwear. In fact, she bitterly resent
ed this taste. She detested the color
that Ernest affected in his ties; 1t was
always the same-purple. Hazel hated
purple.
On the other hand, Ernest was pro-
foundly disturbed over a certain phys
ical defect Of Hazel's-a defect only
apparent on warm day or after a
strenuous dance-the defect being a
shiny nose. Its cause lay in Hazel's
prejudice against cosmetics.
The best of lovers have their differ
ences of opinion, and In this Ernest
and Hazel were no exception. 1t was
In one of these disputes that purple
tie and shiny nose came up for dis
cussion.
Ernest, DEAR" cooed Hazel. 81 do
wish you would wear a different col
ored tie to that social next Tuesday.
/ just adore blue tie with white
stripes"
Sorry, dear, purple suits me-"
II don't see why"
"Too bad that you don't"
Whereupon Hazel became furious.
''Too bad--well, it's too bad that you
don't. Why, you're making laughing
stock Of yourself-people are saying
you're freak, always with purple
tie. hate It."
IF you're going to the dance with
me next Tuesday. Hazel, you'll see the
purple tie-that's all I've got to say.
1t doesn't bother me a bit what people
think or say"
ut should bother you. what think
or say"
Ordinarily, yes; but not in this
case. But while we are on this criti-
cal subject, allow me to suggest that
you powder your nose 1t really looks
greasy"
powder my nose-why, you're inso-
lent. You're positively insulting.
L"
THAT'S enough-you've had your
say; I've had mine. When you take
measures against shiny nose. I'll
adopt new color in ties"
Hazel never heard the last SEN
tence, for, incensed at his rebuke, she
turned and left him.
Tuesday nights social came. Hazel
was there and so was Ernest 1t must
be confessed that Hazel's nose stood
terribly in need of powder after the
third dance, and that Ernest's tie Of
purple was not bit in accord with
the decorative scheme. Also be it
known that Haze's finger lacked the
glum and neither enjoyed the social
one bit.
Weeks went on and heightened into
months. The date Of the wedding
slipped by and Hazel cried bitterly to
herself The stenographers in Hallon's
office spread abroad that he had be-
come an awful crouch"
Lucky it is that humans have
friends. Lucky it was that the friends
of Ernest and Hazel were mutual.
Lucky it was that they regretted the
breaking off Of the engagement. And
these friends, regretting, sought about
for means to restore things as they
had been. 1t took them a long time,
for they knew not the basis of the
quarrel, but finally it came out when
Hazel sobbingly told the story under
the embrace of her dearest girl chum.
Then did the plotters get to work.
Some time later there was house
party, to which Hazel came, and like
wise Ernest. They met and, gazing at
each other, rubbed their eyes as If
they were not seeing straight. And
what wonder, for Hazers nose cleaned
white with an overdose of powder and
Ernest wore a blue-and-white tie. Each
gasped, each took a step forward, and
all turned their backs as the twain
made up in loving embrace. A month
later the wedding bells rang merrily
and Hazel dropped the Dorne and be-
came Hallon.
How account FOR the change? Listen,
Hallon had penchant for emphasizing
what he believed by prefiXing the
words "I'll bet you" One day GER
tain friend took him up, and made the
condition of the bet that the loser
should wear tie purchased by the
other Ernest lost And HaXel-that