Evening star., 1928-04-09
Price Fifteen Dollars.


AIRS. Warren sat down beside her ii
the street car. Her smile, however
was So cordial as to diSarm suspicion
Even under the other woman'S critical
stare she maintained her little air oi
gaycty. Yet she was tingling with the
consciousness that her shabby Winter
hat and coat were in striking contrast
to Mrs. Warren's smart Spring attire.
Eummaging for a coin Mrs, Warren
displayed the wealth Of her purse,
She was evidently also going downtown
10 shop and Lila mindful Of the $50
bull which was her all, bit her lip as
she averte6 her eyes
She decided to elu6e her companion
as soon as they reached the downtown
district. but when she left the car Mrs.
Warren followed her.
Il am going to look at a living room
chair" Mrs. Warren said, Cant you
come with me and give me your
opinion2"
why. of course" Lila smiled graci-
ouSiy. She hadn't the least doubt that
Mrs. waTrenS own opinion was Sutfi-
clent for all purposes. Il was only that
she wanted TO show of The only way
to defeat her was TO behave as unen-
viollSly as possible Lila therefore tried
the luxurious depths Of great stuffed
chairs, a6Iniring the shape and quality
as generously as if she herself were
making a selection. But rs she patted
the soft cushion she wiStfully pictured
her husband resting thereon at the end
OF his days work. What difference
money made!
Mrs. Warren didn't stop at buying
chair. She also purchased a lamp and
a table. There seemed no end TO the
contents Of her purse.
g. = ? q
you. Mrs. Gordon" she said. but my
husbands salary warrants my pleasing
myself a little We've been wanting
these things long time. but. Of course,
they have never seemed quite possible
until now"
In the Spring one seems suddenly 10
require SO many things" Lila said
bravely. DO We part here, Mrs. War
ren?"
why" Mrs. warren's glance dwelt
upon Lila'S worn felt, If YOU are going
to look at hats will come, too. I SIM
ply can't resist hats
oh, hats. Of coaTSe!" laughed Lila
She was thinking that it would do no
harm TO look into hat shop. Perhaps
some way Of escaping this woman would
then offer itself
They entered the shop together. In
fact, Mrs. Warren led the way thither.
II was shop such as Lila seldom en-
tered. The black felt she was wearing.
like most Of her headgear. came rom
humber places. She gazed about her
at the colorful display with wide, won-
oering eyes.
II got a hat the other day." Mrs.
Warren said 10 the Saleswoman. whose
sharp eyes recognized the hat. If not the
wearer. My friend wants a hat. Please
show her what you have"
Lila flushed with embarrassment. She
had no intention Of buying a hat The
most she had intended to do was 10 get
DIT OF trimming for hat she had at
home. Her $50 bill was dedicated TO a
sterner purpose-a linoleum rug for the
dining room. The need for that had
been so great that even Bert had seen
the purchase could no longer be delayed.
Her embarrassment increased as the
saleSyoman began TO produce charming
hats. Mrs. Warren insisted that Lila
try on one after the other They mis-
took the cause Of her radiance ana
Piled her with reasons why she should
buy this or that
It was severe test: only a woman
can understand how severe Lila had
every reason for wishing Mrs. Warren
70 think that she could have any hat
she chose. She was proud and brave.
not afraid 10 say no. but she was in q
peculiar situation. Her air of bravado
seemed 20 fan her Owing 20 Mrs.
Warrcnis interference, she saw that she
could not leave that place without buy
ing hat. II she did. Mrs. Warren
wo42lE know what she was trying so
hard 20 conceal and. knowing. Mrs.
Warren would exult. Indeed, Ii came TO
Lila IN her perplexity that Mrs. Warren
was putting 1T up 10 her" as Bert
would say. She was trying TO see what
Lila would do. II was this last thought
that made Lila reach over, select a hat
and place il on her own head. II was
not that it was becoming and service
able. II was only that she had caught
sight OF the price tag. It appeared to
be marked SIS.
7 win take this hat" she said care
iessly.
Fifteen dollars" said the sales
woman.
Lia's heart turned. but beholding her
own face in the mirror she saw that
she did not blanch.
Very we'll" she replied, and care
lessly handed out her $50 bin. taking
care that airs. Warren should not see
It left her purse empty save for few
coins And now" she said snilingly
10 l42E OAf3Ef woman. tDlflk Will
tugt run home with my new chapeau."
II IL had not been 50 far she would
have walked by way Of penance, As
Il was no one who saw her in the new
hat knew what was going on behind
her dark eyes. She swung Of at the
corner Her steps Jagged as she neared
the apartment house. Suddenly the life
seemed 20 go out Of her. How could
she confront Bert? What would he say
70 her? What would he do?
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