Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-11-30
f1'4'f'f'fsr3rf1'ff'f+f+f'frff+f4'
Hannah's Hour of
: Fate
By JANE BURTON

II
ANA from the post office and paused
in front OF her own millinery shop.
"The windows looked real tasty, II
l do say 1t as I shouldn't" she muir
INJURED. "That plum hat with the Pc
tunias would do right well for me, but
where would l wear itg'
People never wondered much about
Hannah Clay's splnsterhood. She was
thinking about that now as she saw
mother-one OF her schoolmates-pass
with a young daughter. 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 saw
ings were in his bank. Was he bring
ing her i'll news?"
"You can't imagine what came
for" said the Judge. putting his hat
on the case and adjusting his glasses.
THE bank has failed and my
moneys gone" she whispered.
He threw back his head and laughed
mellowly.
at isn't the bank, then2' sighed
Hannah, relievedly.
u
nut. l came to buy bonnet"
"a bonnet?"
"Yes You mustn't breathe word
about 1t; it's secret between us two.
You know my cousin, Angelina Spall
Lives up the hill and sits two seats
ahead of me In church,"
"Of course know her."
III IL
bonnet she wears year In and year
outT
ut is old as the hills" agreed Han
nah, 'but she looks real well In 1t.
Angelina would be quite sweet-lOOking
II she wasn't worried so for money"
The Judge looked startled. ~
thought Spall left her well fixed" he
muttered.
Hannah shook her head. "Squan-
dered every penny before he died.
She'll lose the place If she doesn't
look out"
The Judge was very thoughtful.
After a while he took out a notebook
and did some figuring. Hannah, I'll
buy In that little house and give 1t to
Angelina Spall, and I'll settle regu-
lar income upon her l can afford 1t,
and I'll take the prettiest bonnet
| you've got here as present"
| Hannah took the petunia hat out of
the window. "ThIs is the prettiest
hat" she said, and tried 1t on before
him. The judge looked and looked
and looked, and Hannah blushed and
hastily took off the hat.
| Put that one away" said the judge
at last. 81 think I'll give AngeliEe
the money and let her choose her own
hat
II believe she would rather do that"
said Hannah honestly.
you've lost sale. hnnah Clay"
Hannahs little wOrk-worn fingers
trembled as he pressed them. "Tm
coming In again and tell you all about
Mrs Spall," said the judge as he left
the shop.
Hannah closed her eyes In momen-
tary ecstasy as she relived the last
/ half hour. When she opened them
again she saw her own reflection In
the mirror. 1t was the face OF
stranger, so changed 1t was. She
reached into the window and drew
out the petunia hat and tried it on.
She did not hear the door open gently
and the soft, gliding footsteps of old
Mrs. Beebe, who, through advanced
age and an almost uncanny knowl-
edge of human nature, claimed the
gift of prophecy.
'H0w be We, Hannah" she CHR
ruped, perching on the edge of chair.
"That hats real pretty"
Hannah started violently and
dropped the petunia hat.
Mrs. Beebe picked 1t up and twlrled
1t around on her gnarled fingers. "Why
don't We treat your wedding hat bet
ter, Hannah ClayW she shrllled.
| That's not a wedding hat, Mrs.
Beebe, It's just one | made to SELL"
Mrs. Beebe lifted her hand and
closed her eyes. Hannah realized that
her visitor was about to "prophesy."
mo one shall wear the bridal hat
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 1t soon" She hoped
off the chair and went out of the
shop.
Hannah stared after her and then.
Gliding herself the while, she put
tne petunla hat away amid much It's
sue paper In the prettlest hat box she
possessed. "Angellne Spall may want
to but IT," she said guilty.
The next day Judge Scott came to
tell about Angelina Spall and how he
had arranged to make things easier
for her. "She's coming to pick out
hat, and Hannah" he hesitated and
twinkle came into his gray eyes, don't
sell the petunia hat!"
1t took Judge Scott several months
to discuss Angelina Spall with Han
nah, and he spent many evenings in
the pretty little shop with its rag car
pet, old-fashoned chlntz curtains and
rush-bottomed chairs.
One evening the judge suddenly put
his arm around Hannah and said:
IF we don't get married right away,
Hannah, that hath be out of style,
and I've been counting on my wife
wearing it--so If you'll just get pc
tunia-colored dress-Ill see the par.
sOn-and I've picked out my wedding
coat. Why are you crying?"
Hannah looked up, drying her eyes,
bright now with renewed youth.
Every woman cries when her hour
Of fate strikes" she said mysteriously.