The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-12-05

ing husVledly in tho dim light. Her
hair-Draper's young ladies We're
models in the matter of hair.dress-
ing-had been carefully arranged the
night before, and done up in ker-
chief to keep it smooth. Now, there
were only n few crimps to undo. q
few hairpins to put in place, and her
golden tresses sllons in oil their
glory, n mass of soft coils and fluffy
curls.
Her breakfast "coldly furnished
forth" from the dinner of the even
ing before, was ready and whiting,
save for the emp Of tea which was
quickly made, and she ate with the
appetite resulting from youth and
health and the serene consciousness
ola few minutes to spare.
"Tessic," called her mother from
upstairs, whit is the weather this
morning." She looked out of the
window for the first time and drew
herself together with little SILVER.
The world was gray and cold; light
snowlay on the roofs and pavements,
and the leaden sky gave pro mise of
more ere many hours.
"Thc cold wave has come, mamma,
DEAR" she answered cheerfully.
care the buttons and braid OH my
coatw
mo, daughter, Pm sorry, hut the
silk give out and l couldn't get it
done. You must bring me IL spool
this evening, and this morning you
will have to wear my sealskin."
Tessie made face to herself.quiet-
ly. Six dollars week and Shetland
senl were clearly homogeneous. ii
Mr.. Draper saw her wearing it, the
conclusions he might draw might
result in the loss OF her situation;
hut it would never do to tell her
mother so. poor mamma. she
hates my being n shop girl badly
enough now. and ! can't afford to
risk pneumonia, either" Tess.e
thought, rs she put on the coat,
hich fitted her beautifully, to her
|dother's great satisfaction. IL, like
fmany other luxuries, was an article
OF better days. They had not al
ways been poor, and when her IN tler
died, lie fnncied that lie left his wife
and daughter tnr above the reach of
want. Bat most oftlleir funds, which
he had invested, with the view to save
them trouble, were in the Peronzine
railroad, which for two years past
had paid no dividends. The pretty
little house in which they lived was
their own, but their income was too
small to support them in idleness,
and Tessie was glad to secure stu
alton in praper's, through the influ-
ence OF an old friend of her mther's.
Her mother had protested ieebly, and
then yielded to the girls sturdy com
mon sense, still it was II sore point
with her that her pretty daughter
must work for her daily bread.
''Never mind, mamma, shall lie
Us warm us toast'" Tessie said, geso-
lutely hiding her reluctance to wear
the cont, and tomorrow is Thanks
giving. SO we will have time to get
my jacket done before church. Aren't
you glad I'm going to have holi-
day." She trotted off briskly for the
run down town which
kept the roses glowing in her cheeks,
In spite of her confinement in the
store.
The timekeeper at the side door
greeted her with n smile. "You are
i've minutes early, Miss Wilbur" he
mid graciously. /
She passed into the coat room,
rhich was filling fast, and put her
mall lunch in her compartment, |
ook off her hat and then hesitated,
lnder running fire of "What love-
Y coat, Miss Wilbur!''
us thut plush?"
"No, indeed-senlskin. my dear.
Amt we fine?" etc.
Tessie's tones trembled slightly as
she tried to answer quietly.
"lt's borrowed plumage"-but she
did not finish the sentence.
Don't leave it down here" whis.
pered kind-hearted girl. it won't
be sale. and youcouldn'tmake a fuss
ifyou lost it."
She hesitatcd no longer, but TAX.
ing the cont and her courage into
her hand, went over to the suit de.
partment, to the head OF which she
owed her situation.
"Well, Miss Tessie." he said, as he
looked up from his desk; good
morning. What can do for you to-
day."
"a great favor, please; will you
keep this wrapforme? TWAS papa's
last present to mamma, and she
made me wear it. because mine is
being altered and wasn't quite done.
I don't like to leave it in the COM
mon cloak room"
Certainly, certainly, Isthatall?"
and hanging the coat in his private
wardrobe. "Remember me to Mrs.
Wilbur" and with II lighter heart
Tcssic went to her post ut the rib
Ion counter.
1t wns n busy day in spite OF
lowering skies. Everybody seemed
to I've buying new ribbons for
Thanksgiving, and Tessie matched
shades and rolled and unrolled ball
after hall, trying as much as in her
lay to be oil things to all women in
order to earn her salary.
She was glad when pleasant little
Miss Baker, Of the mail order, came
to see her with q long memorandum
to fill, and chattcd brightly over the
task, promising before she was
through to bring her lot of sam.
Piles OF reduced black dress goods for
her mother.
Then came her lunch hour, and on
her way back to the counter n visit
to the cashier's desk. Thursday was
pay day, aud being Thanksgiving,
the day before was substituted. As
she approached the desk she was
struck by the expressions OF face in
those who were leaving-some angry,
some detected; some scowling, others
almost in tenrs-nnd she was not al-
together surprised when the amount
was handed 10 her 60 cents short.
"All right" said the cashier, irown.
ing, iu answer to her look ofinquiry.
"All snlaries reduced 10 per cent. from
the Drapers down, Sign. Dlense.