The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-10-25
A SHOT IN THE DARK.

A SHUT IN IHE UAhAs
1t was q 25. calibre, and carried leaden
pellet no larger than pea. 1t did not
look very formidable, and, in fact, was
not, but when Eva put it in what she was
pleased to call her pistol-pocket, in the
rear of her dress, she felt as safe as if she
had the escort of regiment.
"What are you doing with that pop
gum" said Cousin Jack to her one morn.
ing as he observed her putting her
armory in her pocket preparatory to
going out.
"That's my beau, if you please, sir; he
sees me safely along those four dark
blocks when come home at night"
'Just let me look at that gun, will
you?" said Jack. "Pshawi you couldn't
hurt mouse. Come, I'll let you shoot
ct me all day for a nickel q shot. Hurt
me? Not bit. But why in the name of
the guardian angel of all young women
do you want to carry pistol?"
well. Cousin Jack, you know that it
is late when leave the store, and can
not always have company. It's q dark
walk from the cars over here, and
thought / saw q sneaking fellow follow
me one night. I shall be ready for him
the next time. l don't intend to be
bothered or robbed if can help it.
Don't think 1 can't shoot. 7 have been
practising a little, and shall make it very
uncomfortable for the coming sand
Dagger as sure as my name is Eva"
"But you couldn't hurt anybody with
that thing, you know"
Couldn't I? Don't you get in front
OF it. that's all. Goodbye, I must hurry
along"
JACK looked after her as she tripped
down the steps, and laughing, said:
"She's dandy, and no mistake" Then
as he caught sight of dainty boot with
little CLINT Of white above it, as she
crossed the street, he repeated: "a dan
dy, well, I should say she was, and as
pretty as q picture. What shall We do
with our girls?"
Eva Barton was twenty-three, and a
nleswoman in the great establishment of
Herschell, Shield & Co. She was rather
under than over the medium size, some
what slight in figure, but compactly
formed, every gesture and movement de-
noting energy and character. Her cheeks
were like lilies, and her eyes Of limpid
blue, such Is Solomon would have de.
scribed Is being like the fish pools of
Heshbop by the gate of Bathrabbin; =
that divine blue, capable Of expressing
every passion of the soul.
It was more in her expression than in
her features that she was beautiful. She
knew how to dress, and the art of be-
slowing the simplest ribbon or her neck
or hair in such way as to lend elegance
and refinement to her toilet. II she had
been French they would have said she
had chic. No English phrase can exact
ly describe what chic is, but We know
it when we see it. 1t is style and some
thing more. 1t is the knsck of doing or
being in the best form. It is not fash
ion, but it is to fashion what poetry is
prose. 1t is entirely feminine attribute,
but all women do not possess it. When
Q woman has chic, age can not wither
her, nor custom stale her infinite varie-
ty; other women cloy the appetite they
feed; but she makes hungry whom she
satiahes.
Eva had chic.
She had come to the great city tc
make her way in the world, not that she
vas obliged to, but because she wanted
to. Her mother was dead. Her fathers
second wife was her schoolmate. Hei
home was pleasant enough after fash
ion, but glimpse of the great world
and business ways is good for . sensible
girls. So Eva had come and took VI
quarters with Aunt Biscom. Having
some knowledge of ribbons and dr.,
goods she got place in Hepschield
Shield & Co.'s, commanding ct five dol
lars Q week. She was now getting TWEEN
ty, and was considered the best saleswo
man in the store. She had such an ar
of displaying goods, of throwing then
over her arm or shoulders that the la
dies were Obliged to buy. The could
mot help it.
Cousin Jack, or more properly. JOIN
Bascom, was teller in the Southwestern
National. He was Band was perfect,
loval to one woman. and that was hi
mother. Whatever he did he did TO
her.
1T don't think / shall ever get mar
RED" Jack would say to himself. "The.
cone too high, and, besides, ] don't 80
~ liks my mother" Toward his cousii
~ be had always felt in paternal sor
= ut Of way, and he would deal out =
- loras chunks Of fa&hsrly advice, at
- IL nImost any oceAsioo.
- ursnNn1 nuniaode amused jack not |