Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1890-05-02


fully as naughty and cold as madams own
and there was not symptom of cringinl
IN the proud face of that shop girl" az
Mrs. Monteith mentally designated her
She was used to serviity and fawning. an,
fleeing fiattered and told how exceedingl,
well every thing became her. and, conse
guently, was not pleased with this quiet at
tendance
"Dear me. what an awkward bow yor
have tiedH' and Mrs. Monteth petulaDtl,
twitched the strings Of the bonnet spite
fully, as she took il of for the alteration.
Isabel Grant looked at her half defiantlv
then took the bonnet in her hand. with a
strong effort at repression, and biting her
lip until it blcd TO keep back the words
which longed to break out in "a torrent and
overwhelm this arisiocratic lady in her VIC
lence.
She had been in stormy hUmor all day,
and from the first customer in the morning.
the fat woman who tried on every hat on
the rack. and departed with the purchase
Of hat-pin, 10 this naughty Mrs Monteith
at three in the afternoon, she had been
rasped ana tortured. until every nerve was
in culver.
BLESS us, Isabel Grant. you look like a
thunder-coud" go said lively Jennie Dewey.
as Isabel came back 10 the work-roOm for a
needle
"Get up your lightning rods. then. if YOU
are afraid of storm replied Isabel
briefly. She was in 40 humor for joking,
even with Jennie.
"lm sure don't see any need Of using
Nine. Arnots needle" sand another: You
have pins and needles enough in your ex-
preston to supply the whole shop"
chi -
that Isabel is tired and worn out with wait
ing on those trying customers
The voice was a soft. gentle one. and at
its sound the lively girls ceased their tan
talizing laughter and looked gently at the
speaker; il was sweet Lottie Ford. the lame
girl, whose tender sympathies for others
was born Of intense suffering. and Isabel,
having secured her needle, stopped and
kissed the white, bue-veincd forehead of
the girl as she turned to leave the room.
"You have always soothing word, you lit
tie white dove she said. in "A half whisper,
and a gentle expression came over her face
as she made her way back to Mrs. Monteith.
1t was very fashionable establishment,
Nine. Arnot's, and its plate glass show
windows were marvels of tasteful beauty,
huns with airy laces and bright designs IN
ribbons; the show room itself had little TO
indicate the character Of the establishment
except one large rack in the center of the
room, hung with trimmed hats, and the row
on row of Oaud- boxes on the handsome
shelves where the choicest specimens Of
pattern hats and Partisan styles were kept.
Elegant mirrors hung on ali sides: easy
chairs and little sofas were scattered about
for the convenience of the fashionable
ladies', whose labors in shopping were sup
posed 10 be so exhaustive, but woe TO the
unlucky shop girl who should dare sit down
on these inviting rests, for Nine. ArnOt
was "A strict disciphnaran and mdulged in
no inconvenient sympathy for her work
people. a mere shopgirl was not sup
posed 10 be tired. and if she was there were
plenty of good. hard chairs in the work
room, provided she found any time 10 use
one.
Nine. Arnot had no idea of being a
harsh mistress; in fact she prided herself
exceedingly on her Christian virtues. and
considered herself particularly amisble
person indeed among certain class Of her
customers she was spoken of as that
"sweet person." Nine. Arnot, but the title
never extended 10 the worl- room.
She was small woman, with blue eyes
which were capable Of variety Of express
beamed with good nature and pleasant emo
tons; to Isabel Grant the poor shop girl, a
paid person. they could fash with tyran-
nical CLEAN that transformed the plump.
pretty face completely.
Nine. Arnot had been once poor herself,
bitterly poor, and had risen by various
stages 10 the position she now occupied, and
commend me 70 that person who, with
mean, selfish heart 10 begin with. rises from
poverty 10 affiuence for an example Of the
snob perfect: one who will grind her poor
dependents down to the very smallest pow
der and make them feel her power to the
uttermost
To say that Isabel Grant felt this amiable
quality in Nine Arnot's make up is a fee
BILE term: it stung her, degraded her, filed
her very soul with bitterness from day TO
day. but as yet she had seen no escape from
1t, for she had her bread to earn.
The season was almost over, and only this
morning isabel had received letter from
her aunt, with whom she had always lived.
and il was filed with bitter complaints of
poverty. Of the husband drunkenness, and
sad bewailings of her hard lot, which sent
the girls heart, throbbing with pain, down,
down like lead, aud made her feel as If she
had no right in that already over-crowded
home.
She was no tender-eyed heroine who could
go into that disordered household and, with
gentle words and sanity influences, lure
coarse John Harmon from his cups ana be
a tower of strength TO the loDg-sufferiug
wife. No, indeed she felt only TOO clearly
that, harassed, goaded and over-worked as
she had been, she would only prove another
element of discord there, and she longed,
with fierce intensity, for some refuge which
would take her from il.
Miss Grant, If you can not look more
pleasant you had better retire TO the work
room and let Miss Dewey take your place"
said Nine. Arnot, coldly, as Mrs. Mon
teith swept out TO her carriage, followed by
Isabel's flashing eyes. "Your expression
is enough 10 drive customers away, instead
Of attracting them"
They were alone for moment, and Nine
Arnot took the opportunity to speak her
reproof, but another party coming in she
was all smiles in q moment.
There were several in the party, and de-
manding Immediate attention, else Isabel