Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-07-27
Only A Shop Girl.

lips OF the young SlII "hO stoOd ,oeHi"u '"S
counter, and caused Douglas Lenox to take
second look into The sweet face and dark gray
eyes which met his FOR the first time.
Bending over the box OF gloves which she
had taken down for his inspection, the young
girl sighed again, and Douglas hastily rose
from the stool upon which he had lazily drop
ped
"I am ashamed to sit when you are stand
ing" he said " am sure you must be very
tired are you not?"
The young girl would have refused to notice
the remark from most strangers upon any sub
ject except their purchases. There are some
people we instinctively feel we can trust, and
Douglas Lenoxs kind voice and frank, honest
face effsctually disarmed resentment. She
looked up and said
!" Rather tired. have been on my feet all
day; and the faint smile which dimpled tho
corners of her mouth added in the young mans
eye to the beauty Of her face.
But, surely, you can sit down when you
have a spare moment" he said, somewhat in
dignanily.
The young girl shook her head. "No, not
in business hours"
alt is a shame" said Douglas. Il have
heard that such denominations existed in our
city, but never really believed it"
1T is allowed in some stores" said the
young lady.
Then why do you not leave your place
here and go to such a one ?" asked Douglas.
She gave another faint smile. "If you had
beoa shop girl for four years and knew the
difficulty of getting situation you would not
ask that question" Then hastily pushing a
second box of gloves toward him she added, IN
low tone ,
MIR. Sheldon is coming this way. should
lose my place here II he heard what / snid.-
Please look at the gloves" ir
And Douglas not stopping to examine wh'th-
or be got the number he wanted or not quick
ly selected two or three pairs, paid for them,
aud left the store. But be carried with him
the image Of the sweet faced shop girl, and it
haunted him unaccountaby all day. -,
" Poor tired little thing" he said, pityingly
al wish she were my sister, aud then she
needn't work so hard"
Once or twice he curled his naughty lip at
the idea that he, the aristocratio Douglas Len
OK, who was the sole master Of u handsome
place on the Delaware, who counted his money
by thousands and who for certain reasons, bad
been the lawful prey Of all the managing mann
mas and matrimonial inclined daughters in So
ciety, should be wasting so many thoughts on
shop girl. But if he was aristocratic, Len
OK was also democratic, and he had no false
notions about caste. And when rather early
next morning, he took his way to the same
store Douglas acknowledged to himself that
bis purchase was merely an excuse, and bis
real object an honorable interest in, and a
warm desire to see again the winning face
which haunted him ever since yesterday. That
she recognized him Douglas felt sure. from the
faint, sweet smile that again dimpled the cor
ners of her sweet mouth. But he said nothing
however, only with an eager glance Of admira-
ton and when in making the change her soft
hand accidentally touched lis it sent a thrill
through his whole frame.
O. Whew ~ he said to himself, lifting his hat
and drawing free breath as lie left the store
Douglas Lenox, believe in my soul you are
captiyated at last! and that too by little
shop-girl whose name you don't even know =
Wonder what sister would say ?" And, as he
thought of his stylish sister entering the
same store, and perhaps trading with that very
little girl, entirely unconscious that her broth
er's eye had ever rested admiringly on the
sweet face, Douglas laughed aloud.
Well, after the little speech lie made as he
left the store think you can imagine about
what followed. 1t was astonishing how many
/ little purchases Douglas found he could not do
( without in the next few weeks. And from
dropping in at any store he happened to pass,
he only went to Ole particular store and, if it
50 happened that he was waited on by any
other than one particular clerk, be had the
blues all day in consequence.
How earnestly be longcd to learn her name
nobody knew but himself lie dared not ask
/ her, and he did not know how else he should
learn. But fortune fayors the brave" you
know 50 one morning, while hc was busily
selecting some cambric handkerchiefs from a
box, the proprietor Of the store came up and
addressed her, called her Miss Romer.
Douglas flashed quick, pleased glance at
her, and the color deepened on the young girls
cheek as she met it with her eye.
Miss Romer, l am glad I have learned
your name. because you reminded me Of ny
sister" tOh, Douglas it wasn't because she
looked Ike her then!
a have no brethers, or sisters, either" said
she, sadly.
Have you not?" said Lenor, pitylnsly.-
"I should be 7ery lonely without mine. though
I have only one sister Now that l have
learned your name, may tel nine?
III you please" said Miss Romer.
at is Douglas Lsnox, at your scFgice.-
I Please consider the owner your friond, Siis
Romer,' said the young man, 50 grayely and
/ kindly that she could not be offended