Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-04-14
A Commercial Lady
Lat me look at laces, please.


Raymond Hamilton, standing at the silk
counter a few PAGES of, trying to execute q
commission of his mothers turned at the
sound of the well bred voice to look into
the owners face. II was striking face
but by no means beautiful in feature. \
girlish face, but with strong lines of char
acter, and touches Of rare expression that
indicated the owner TO be far above medic
Gritty.
She looked at him for a moment, and
something in the straightforward, unco-
quetish glance made him Withdraw his.
She made her purchase and went out.
He had almost mind TO follow her, but
did not.
Mrs. Chester and her two eldest daugii-
tiers sat in solemn conclave over the move
ments of the younger SISTER.
Its out of the question for her to think
of doing such vulgar thing" said the
mother, with a slight touch of energy
'We must do something, 1 suppose, but it
must De genteel. befitting our former life
Eva always had odd freaks-just like her
father. Oh, dear, dear. To think We
should ever come TO this"
The young lady under discussion at that
moment entered, carrying something in a
soft, fluffy heap on her arm.
''0h, here you all are" she SAID, breez-
lily, as she tossed white zephyr shawl, as
dainty and delicate as a snowdrift, over
Maude's shoulders, another sky blue over
Stella, and arranged the last, delicious
pink one, over her own graceful shoulders.
This is my stock In trade" she said, in a
mock business like tcne. 81 am going TO
solicit orders for them. They are 50 soft
and lovely and becoming that nobody can
refuse to buy them. / am to have small
salary and II commission"
10 think of your having 50 little taste
as to turn hawker!" Maude exclaimed.
''For mercy's sake, are We not degraded
enough without that: Why could you not
get tesching-or-or something that would
not be disgraceful p
''Now, Maude, you know I've been for
weeks trying 10 get something of that
kind, Eva returned, with little of her
native spirit rising at their unreasonable
nsss. Il could not get the least encour-
agenent anywhere. Not one of our old
friends would lift finger to help me. A
fg for tie friendship of all of them"
Mrs. Chester began TO cry audibly be-
hind her lace handkerchief Eva flew to
her and put her arms about her neck.
"iOu must not cry. You know We
must do something, mother DEAR she said,
soothingly. ''We cannot all sit down and
starve. .
'But you, with your accomplishments"
sobbed the mother, ito have TO lower your
self in this way"
at seems | have no accomplishments
that will bring ne my bread and butter"
Eva returned, ''and what do honestly can
never lower me, mother dear
A middle-aged lady was just leaving her
house as Eva approached it, and with
smile made known her Grand
The lady took the shawis offered for her
inspection and fingered the tleecy texture,
talking pleasantly meanwhile.
She was just giving an order for two,
when a gentleman, Raymond Hamilton,
sauntered out from it, and took one of the
shawls from his mother. He glanced to-
ward Eva carelessly; but instantly his
glance was transtxed to something ap-
preaching stare as he recognized the face
he had seen three months ago-that haunt
ed him ever since. Eva, too, recognized
him, and though usually self f-posses'ed ielt
her color rising under the gaze of the hand
some stranger.
While Eva replaced her samples in her
little valise, Raymond drew her into con-
versation. His mother joined occasionally
and half hour passed rapidly and uncon-
sciously to Eva, who quite forgot she was
not the Eva of three months ago. And the
stately old lady did an unprecedented
thing-for her-asked Eva TO stay to din
ner with them as it was their hour, and she
must be tired and faint with walking.
Raymond seconded the invitation, and
Eva, wondering If people in her present po-
sltion usually met with such pleasant little
episodes, consented to remain.
Before dinner was over Eva had told the
history of the past few months; how her
father had died insolvent, and that she had
taken up this work from necessity.
at was providential for me that you
ever thought of selling shawls. Except for
this might never have found you my dar-
ling" Raymond said, tenderly.
And her relatives ceased their repoaches
when they found that her ungenteel .em-
ployment did not abate one jot or title of
Raymond Hamilton's admiration and af-
fection, and that through its agency she
had gained for her husband q representa-
tive of an old and honorable family.