The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-09
Miss Vernon did so.

Miss Vernon did so.
The young man deigned to tumble
over the shirts, glancing at them care
lessly.
shocking! shocking" he said.
"What is the matter, sir 2"
"They are wretchedly sewed. That's
what's the matter. How do you expect
we are going to sell such shirts as
these ?"
81 am sure I thought they were well
DONE" said Miss Vernon.
"You thought, did you?" repeated
the clerk, mocking her. "I think differ
emily, and that's all there is about it.
We shan't. pay you for these shirts.
They will have to be sold at a loss"
"But what shall I do? said Miss
Vernon, in seeming distress.
''That's your business, not mine. We
will try you once more, and give you
another half-dozen shirts. If they are
done better you will be paid for them"
To the indignation of the clerk, who
was not used to such independence in
the poor women who worked for the es-
tablishment, Miss Vernon took the
shirts to another part of the counter,
where she saw William Winsor him
self.
'Mr. Winsor," she said, "your clerk
will not pay me for these shirts. He
says they are not well DONE"
Mr.. Winsor took one up and pre-
tended to examine it.
"No, it's poorly done. We can't
afford to pay you for these, but you may
have another bundle, and, if they are
satisfactory, you will then be paid"
Didn't tell you so ?" said the clerk,
triumphantly. ''Now, how much did
you gain by that operation 2"
"More than you think, perhaps" said
Miss Vernon, quietly.
"Do you want any more work Pr
mo, I don't wish any," she said,
coldly.
"You are on your high horse, are
you? Well, you may be glad to get
work some day, when you can't have
! it."
The evening was one which William
! Winsor usually spent with his be-
trothed. When he was announced he
went forward warmly, as usual, to
greet Miss Vernon. She drew back
coldly, and did not offer her hand to
grasp his.
"What is the matter, Margaret ?" be
asked, surprised and startled.
"My hand has taken yours for the
last time, Mr.. Winsor," said Margaret.
"Good heavens What is the mean
ing of all this? I cannot understand
it,"
'T cannot take the hand of one who
grows rich by defrauding poor women
out of their scanty earnings"
"WhO says this of me? Some one
has been slandering me. Confront me
with my accuser. There is some mis-
take here"
'I will do as you desire. WaA five
minutes"
Miss Vernon left the room, and soor
returned in her disguise. The young
man strode up to her angrily.
"Are you the one who slandered me
to Miss Vernon 2" he demanded.
'I told her the truth"
The young man reflected. Violent
contradiction he saw would not avail
him. He would try another course.
clark you," he said, in low voice
"there was a mistake. l will make i
up to you richly. L will give you tel
dollars on the spot, and all the wori
you want at double rates, if you viii
tell Miss Vernon it was all a mistake
"TOO late, Mr.. Winsor," said the veileC
figure, throwing up her veil and show
ing the contemptuous face of Margare
Vernon. "Your bribe is offered il
vain. Good-evening, sir"
Confused and astonished, William
Winsor fonnd his way to the door, AM
has never ventured to enter the house O
the heiress since.