Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1917 — A SHOP GIRL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A SHOP GIRL

By GEORGE HASKELL

(Copyright, 1917, by W. G. Chapman.) “She’s pretty,” observed Mrs. Berke-ley-Holmes scanning the newcomer critically through her lorgnette. “I wonder who she is,” responded Mrs; Waddel." “She didn’t come- down with the house party. -Oh well, maybe she’s one of the- colony.” The very rich and very fashionable Mrs. Bagden was giving a small musicale and dance for Jier, week-end guests, and as usual any new face had to be “sized up” and classified by some of “those present.” “Oh, you mean that Miss Manning,” eaid Mrs. Clay joining the group. “Well, did you know she is a'shop girl?” “A shop girl!” almost shrieked the other two tn horrified chorus. “Yes, she’s down in that little fancy store ‘near- the station.” “Of all things!” exclaimed Mrs. Barkeley-Holmes. “I always did know Mrs. Bagden was democratic, but—” “Oh, I don’t believe it’s all democracy in this case. Mrs. Bagden has to pay one expensive professional to sing for us, and I suppose this girl will recite for nothing.” “Heavens, have we got to hear her ‘elocute’?” asked Mrs. Waddel in despair.

- “I heard she was" gotngto,”said Mrs. Clay. “But really she speaks in an educated way, and talks well.” “Good gracious 1 Will you look at Blake Wendell?” cried Mrs. BerkeieyHolmes. “Why, he acts as though he were smitten with Miss Manning!” “Yes, doesn’t he? Well, the managing<mammas won’t let that go on. One of the best ‘catches’ mustn’t go to a shop girl.” _— “No danger,” sniffed Mrs. Waddel. “He’s engaged to May Summers.” “Oh no,” protested Mrs. Clay. “I don’t think—” Here the conversation was cut short by the hostess calling for silence. Violet Manning »ecited a simple little experience out of real life In such a natural, convincing way she fascinated her audience, and they clamored for more. She did not attempt

the strong emotional—it was not the audience for such things —but she gave them pathetic or humorous bits out of every-day life. And what is so rare with the average reciter, Jt seemed like “real life.” To the credit of the hostess be it said Violet was treated with as much consideration as any other guest, and not with the patronage and neglect which often falls to the lot of the hired entertainer. She had a decidedly good time, and went home thinking of no one in particular but Blake Wendell. The-next morning vqpen after her few hours of sleep she had to hurry off to the shop, she hearing over and over the Words he. had said, and seeing the humorous Sparkle in his eyes. Blake Wendell had asked,her if he might call, aqd in * the intoxicating dream of the nifliit before* she had told him he might. It did fceem now like a dream, as she stood behind the syitionery and paper flowers, and she felt she must never let him dome to the cheap boarding house in,'the poor street where she lived. She could only see him in the “parlor” which was tawdry and vulgar, and it was liable to he filled with young men and girls quite in keeping with the surroundings who talked slang, laughed loudly, or played ragtime on a strident piano, and-sang with a more strident voice. This, was not Blake Wendell’s world. And'lest he should think It was hers, -she could not let him see her there. The death of her parents and poverty had put her there. She felt no shame In honestly earning herJlving the only way that had offered, but her natural Instincts’, mind, apd training gave her 11 trie real enjoyment in, the company In which it brought her lu contact There were kind hearts aryl honest souls among these 'young people; she did not hold herself aloof, and was well liked by them; but when she

found herself among the refinement and culture of many of those at Mrs. Bugden’s It seemed CoSiej that she had come into her own. Violet felt she could not stand the humiliation of Wendell’s surprise or covert amusement at the boardinghouse parlor or the boarders. It Was such a long way from his world. He must see - that it was, and doubtless he would- feel that she could never get there. No, it was all very hopeless. What was she to do? She remembered : now that someone had come up and Interrupted, and she. had not given; him her address. Oii, well, perhaps he would not take the. trouble to find

out, and she was worrying for-nothing. Even Mrs. Bagden, an old friend-of her mother’s, did not know where she lived, but addressed her at the store. As the days and weeks went on and she saw no more of Blake Wendell, Violet wondered if Cinderella kept on thinking about the prince after that last bail, or whether she had the strength of mind to forget him. She took;"herself severely to task for not being-able to forget, when clearly she ought to. One day there came a letter to Violet at the store. She knew the instant she saw the envelope it was from Mrs. Bagden. Yes, it was an invitation to a Christmas eve party. Her heart gave a great bound. Would she see him again? Oh, who that has been just where this girl was can know that meant? He lived in New York, where there were so many places to go on Christmas eve, perhaps he would not come, Besides, there loomed up the awful problem of what to wear. Her simple little summer gown had done for the warm evening of the musicale, but for this affair she had nothing. However, with small expense, and sewing evenings, she decided she might make over an old froci? to.be.presentable. Before she had finished the dress, Mabel Hard, the girl next at Violet’s counter was taken ill and had to go home. Violet knew the condition of things at Mabel’s home. Her mother was out working during the day and only a younger sister of about ten years of age was able to be of any service. As soon as she could get away she went around to see her. Mabel was so ill that she had to get a physician. He declared she must remain quiet for several days, and not think of going to work. This worried the poor girl into a heightened fever. It lacked only a few days of Christmas, and the holiday trade made the loss of one hand a serious matter. Besides she. had promised to work Christmas eve, and the night before that as Miss Manning had arranged to have those evenings off. Violet agreed to work in her stead. It meant a big sacrifice,but she could see no other way.

As the hustling, jostling crowd Jm* portuned Jier to be waited on, and she glanced up at the clock which pointed to nine, she thought how at this time she had meant to be starting for the Christmas party, something like tears was very near her eyes, Just then Mabel’s mother came up to her. “Mabel has made me come to take your place,” she said. “She has just heard how you gave up a party for her sake, and she’s feeling terribly.” “Who told her?” asked Violet with some vexation. “Now, I don’t mind a bit. I can’t go, because I couldn’t finish my dress. Just tell her not to worry.” A young man buying something at the opposite counter, overhearing the conversation, listened. He came up quickly to Violet. “Miss Manning!” he cried In gen* uine amazement. 1 ' “Mr. Wendelll” exclaimed Violet, in equal surprise. “Come right along!” he laughed. ‘Tm not going to be cheated out of a dance!” “But I haven't any dress,” she protested. “There are dresses enough there.” Somehow he whirled her out of the store and into his car, and when he had stowed her among the furs told her how he had tried to find her address, and no one seemed to know, and how he had blessed his lucky stars that something for the Christmas tree had brought him to that store. Mrs. Bagden, of course, could not resist his demand for a party gown, and Violet looked so perfectly stunning that, being a young man who did things rapidly, he proposed -to her before the evening was over. : : '■: ' “What you did for that girl,” he said. “That was splendid.” So Violet found after all his world was her’s. ' -7

“Of All Things!”