Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-12-30
THE HAT
WAS SENT ON
APPROVAL
"a by D. J. walsh.l

to by ID. J. Walsn'D
Y LILA BENEFITS eyes danced
as she read the invitation. A
Aluncheon at Mrs. Wales'l At
last she would have something
interesting to write home. Her BROTH
er Toms wife should see that she was
making good socially in Bergmont.
The invitation informally requested
an answer by telephone and Lila ran
out to the corner drug store and
dropped nickel into the slot for that
purpose. Her acceptance was marked
by restraint; she needn't let Mrs.
Wales think she was not used to
such things. But her voice bearing
the carefully selected words fairly
doomed over the wire. The rather
emotiOnless woman who received this
joyous voice In her ear smiled family,
recognizing youth and spontaneity.
The wife of her husbands young Sec
rotary was a dear, 1t seemed.
Home Lila flew, taking peeps at
her wrist watch along the way and
computing time. The luncheon was
today at / o'clock; it was now 9:30.
Burt did not come home to lunch so
she was entirely free In that respect.
She met Mrs. Potter who lived In
the apartment above. Mrs. Potter
had a market basket. She scrimped
dreadfully, although her husband
earned quite as good salary as did
Burt. Lila, pretty and chic, looked
at the other young woman's morning
shabbiness with amusement
'Ive got to hurry home and get
ready to go to a luncheon at Mrs.
Wales" she boosted.
allow NIGEL" Helen Potter looked
wistful. Then she laughed. sand
I've got to hurry and get my soup
green's on or won't have any lunch
for my hubby"
"He comes home to lunch, doesn't
he? What borep'
ats better for him and then he's
only out carfare, which is cheaper
than paying for inferior food down
town." Helen replied and walked on
with dignity.
always prating economy l hate
it." Lila told herself as she unlocked
her own door. 'Lets see I'll wear
my dark blue velvet. But l ought to
have new hat. The styles are all
in. l saw them yesterday at Marcy's
There was love of a black lacy
thing-I wish l had 1t this minute
l wonder-I wonder IL / could have
them send 1t round in time for the
luncheon Oh, what bother not to
have telephone I've got to go back
to the corner drug store"
1t was only a step and she was
there in five minutes. Another nickel
deposited. She called the store and
got Miss Serge whom she knew slight
ly through former purchases.
Miss Serge, this is Mrs. Burton
Bennett speaking-Oh, yes OF course
you do-Mrs William Hudson Wales
has asked me to her luncheon today
at one and I'd like to see that hat
was looking at yesterday-the black
lace one with the glycerlned plume
could you send 1t upright away?-
Oh, on approval of course Thank
you, Miss Serge"
Triumphantly flushed her face was
again as she sped homeward.e
Tne hat -uIrfyCu uItun an rivut.
she took 1t out of the box she re-
ceived shock of surprise. For this
was not the modest reproduction at
reasonable price-this was the French
| fteSoIf oh fhin0
tionately costly. The price tag was
for sixty-five dollars.
Lila struggled with temptation. 1t
was too late to make a change now.
| Why shouldn't she wear 1t? 1t would
only be for an hour, anyway. Women
often did such things and no harm
came of It, Oh, the hat was adOr-
ablel And she looked lovely In it
The brim had just the right slant for
her pquant face. She wished to make
good impression, indeed, 1t was
necessary that she do so, and this
hat could not fail her.
'Tll wear it," Lila decided. ut
isn't wicked at all. Besides, it isn't
as If weren't perfectly responsible.
At II 80 she came out of the house
and began walking rapidly in the d.
rection of Mrs. Wales house. II was
brilliant day and many people were
out. Chances of admiration were
flashed at Lila in her charming ap-
parel. BY the time she reached the
heavily respectable Wales door she
was quite in love with herself and
assured Of good time.
The luncheon was informal and
quite gay. Half dozen women who
gathered about the table were all old
er than Lila with the exception of
one-Mrs. Chambers, whose husband
was also In Mr.. Wales employ. Lila
stimulated by her appearance, was
more than ordinarily pleasing and she
could see that she won the approval
of her hostess.
As they came out Mrs. Chambers
linked arms in the friendliest fashion
with Lila.
"You are not going right homer
she said. Lets step into the matt
nee. I've two tickets. The friend
who was going with me backed out
Please come"
This was an added pleasure. Lila
putting aside all thoughts of her hat
went.
When two hours later they emerged
from the theater they found that The
brilliant day had given place to 1
tearing gale with I heavy rainstoru
accompaniment. And they had n,
umbrella. Neither was there Gao II
sight.