The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-04
n Commercial Lady,
Lnt me look at laccs, please"

L.t me look at laCcs, please"
Raymond Hamilton standing at the silk
counter few PAGES oil, trying to execute a
commission Of his mothers turned at the
sound of the well. bred voice to look into
| the owners face. 1t was striking face,
but by no means beautiful in feature. a
girlish face, but with strong lines oI char
| actcr, and touches of rare expression that
indicated the owner to be far above medic
| Gritty.
She looked at him for moment, and
something in the straightforward, unco-
quctish glance made him withdraw his.
She made her purchase and went out
lie had almost mind to follow her, but
did not.
Mrs. Chester and her TWO eldest daugh-
tcrs sat in solemn conclavc over the move
ments Of the younger sister.
It's out OF the question for her to think
Of doing such vulgar thing!" said the
mother, with slight touch of energy.
"We must do something, suppose but it
must be gcntccl. betitting our former life.
Eva always had odd frcaks-just like her
father. On, dear, dear TO think we
should ever come to this!"
The Young lady under discussion at that
moment entered, carrying something in
soft, fluffy heap on her arm.
''Oh, here you all are" che SAID, breez-
lily, us she tossed white 'aphyr shawl, as
dainty and delicate us u snowdrift, over
Maudc's shoulders, anothe' sky blue over
Stella, and arranged tho last, a delicious
pink one, over her own graceful shoulders.
"rhs is my stock In trade" she said, in Il
mock blsinrss-liko tone. 81 am going to
solicit orders for them. They are so soft
and lovely and becoming that nobody can
refuse to buy them. am TO have Il small
salary and commission"
"Io think of your having so little taste
rs to turn hawker!" Maude exclaimed.
'For mcrcy's sake, arc we not degraded
enough Without that? Why could you not
get teachng-or--or something that would
not be disgraccful Z"
''Now, Maude, you know I've been for
weeks trying to get something of that
kind, " Eva returned, with little of her
native spirit rising at their unreasonable
moss. 81 could not get the least cncour-
agement anywhere. Not one Of our old
friends would lift finger to help me. A
fly for the friendship Of all of thcm."
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,
soothingy. eve cannot all sit down and
starve. -
''But you, with your accomplishments"
sobbcd the mother, 'to have to lower your
self in this way!"
that will bring me my bread and butter"
Eva returned, land what do honestly can
never lower nc, mother dear"
a middle-agcd lady was just leaving her
house as Eva approached it, and with
smile made known her GRAND.
The lady took the shnwls offered for her
inspection and fingered the ncccy texture,
talking pleasantly meanwhile.
She was just giving an order for two,
when gentleman, Raymond Hamilton,
sauntered out from it. and took one of the
shawls from his mother. lie glanced to-
ward Eva carclcssly but instantly his
glance was transtiXed to something aD-
proaching stare as he recognized tho face
he had seen three months ago-that haunt
ed hm ever since. Eva, too, recognized
him, and though usually self-posscsscd, tclt
her color rising under the gaze of the hand
some stranger.
While Eva replaced her samples in her
little valisc, Raymond drew her into con-
vtrsation. 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 all unprecedented
thing-for hcr-asked Eva to stay to din
ner with them as it was their hour, and she
must be tired and faint with walking
Raymond sec c)ndcd the invitation, and
Eva, wondering If people in her present po-
stion usually met with such pleasant little
episodes, consented TO remain.
Before diuner was over Eva had told the
history of the past few months; how her
father had died insolvcnt, and that she had
taken up this work from necessity.
''lt was providential for me that you
ever thought of selling shawls. Except for
this might never have found you my dar-
ling" Raymond said, tendcrly.
And her relatives ceased their rcpoaches
when they found that her ungcnteel en-
ploymcnt did not abate one jot or title of
Raymond Hamlton's admiration and af-
fection, and that th;oSgh its agency she
had gained for her husband a representa-
tive of an old and honorable family.