Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-04-11

1ans, with long discussion over every
article, ending in most cases with de-
cision to refer the matter to mother OIL
sister. They were not very profitable
customers, but it was pleasant to serve
them
AS the sound of their merry voices
died away, feeling of longing for the
good things which were part of their
happy, prosperous lives took possession
of Margaret. She had looked forward
to these things once, before the cruel
fortune came which had bound her to this
!iresome counter. Again the burdcr
pressed heavily ON her heart
AS one of the relays of clerks was in
the lunch room, Mr.. Ives, the superin-
tendent, entered.
''He has his speech making face on,
whispered Janet to Margaret.
"And he's turning his attention to-
WdTu us, Saul NaTSdTci.
"Young ladies' said Mr.. Ives, pre-
sently, 81 am sorry to be obliged to il
form you that customer has lost some
money IN the store. Mrs. Rayne
visited several Of the counters this morn.
ing"
ooh yes, she did" came in an under
toned groan from one orstwo victims.
"And has reported at the Office the
loss of hundred dollar bill. ~
There was small sensation, while
many eyes turned upon Margaret
"Those ofyou with whom Mrs. Rayne
dealt will please make very careful search
for the money among your goods.
900 bad"' exclaimed Janet, as the
nan left the room. "That bothering
woman kept you fooling over her trashy
bits all the morning, Margaret, and now
you'll have to spen[i the best part of the
afternoon looking for her bill. And after
all, she has probably lost it somewhere
else, or not lost it at ALL"
Yes said Margaret, 81 shall have
to 90 to the bottom of every box, and
shake out every piece IN the stock, for
she wouldn't be satisfied until l had
shown her the very last inch this morn
ing. But do hope some of US will find
it,"
Margaret used every chanc moment
of leisure to search for the missing bill.
A heavy shower brought check upon
the rush into the great store, and with
patient hands and keen eyes she turned
over her laces.
At closing time the girls gathered il
little knots, discussing with anxious
looks, the affair of the lost note. Mar
garet said little, but listened to the
others with face which showed that the
| graver concern had for the time shut out
! all minor worries.
''It's shame, I dec lare," said Janet
taking Margaret's hand in her own, ''for
these rich people to come and make trou-
BILE for US poor girls about their money
"When they've SO much Of it that they
don't know how to take care of itn'
, chimed in another
''If l were so careless as to lose it,
should want to keep still about it,
Mr.. Ives came about with sober, in
quiring look as the tired girls busied
themselves in putting things In order
after the days work.
Margaret began to pack the choices
Of her laces, to be stored in the vault il
which the most valuable articles wer,
put away at night, her eyes still keeping
up their search, although she had giver
up all hope OF finding the bill.
The safe was at the back part or The
store, and she made several journeys t
it before the things under her care wer
all put away
whats thatl"
Just as she was stepping out, after de
posting her last armful, something 0
the floor caught her eye, SO vaguely i
the gathering shadows that she was no
sure that it was more than passin,
fancy Yet how could she be mistakel
in that dim fash of dingy green1
With heart beating in sudden hope
she quickly ran back into the vault, an,
with little cry of JOY snatched up some
thing, and again turned toward the mas
sive door
Creak-bang. Just as she reached i
i: closed in her face Without dreamin
what this might mean, she pushed Q
! the door with her hand callino out :