Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-07-26


/ or two when I heard something heavy
I fall, followed almost instantly by cry
OF dismay from the girls at the counter.
Turning around I saw that the girl to
whom had given the packet had fallen
TO the floor, and moment sufliced 70
discover that she had tainted. A9ittle
crowd had gathered around her, but she
was at once carried away TO dressing
room near by, where she received such
assistance as was necessary.
The crowd followed as crowds do, and
/ ! was left alone by the counter. Before
me lay the package, which she had let
! fall when she tainted. 1t was opened,
/ and / saw that il contained sample OF
/ purple ribbon and no writing Of any
/ kind whatever; evidently IL could have
| had nothing TO do with her faintness,
which 1 supposed was caused by the
heat Of the day.
1t was bore anyhow, and hated
scenes. Why could she not have tainted
little later and have given me chance
70 have got out Of the way? Most Of the
/ people who saw 10, suppose, thought
had something to do with it, and If
STAYED here much longer l should make
fool OF myself. accordingly moved of
TO another part OF the store; but be-
fore could get to the street was met
Z Oy several OF my lady friends, who
seemed much amused to see me in Jor-
dan & Marsh's. 1 was glad they had not
seen the little episode; / should never
have heard the last Of it. My little con-
verSatiOn with these ladies, however,
took up some time, and when reached
the main entrance was annoyed to find
that the girl who had tainted was just
being helped into a cab. followed her
out OF the store, saw her put into the
carriage and heard the driver directed
to a house in a poor but respectable
part of South Boston.
had scarcely noticed the girl when
I gave her the ribbon, but as she left
the store I looked at her more closely
and saw that she was Singularly refined
for her position, besides being remarka-
! bio handsome, I determined 10 follow
her and find out something about her II
l could. Waiting, therefore, till she
was well out of sight l called cab and
ordered the driver 70 take me TO the
street In which she lived. l soon stood
before the houOe; II was very plain aud
unpretentious. being built Of red brick,
with green blinds, and having 4 door in
the center. Within the door very I'M
attractive servant girl was Scrubbing
the floor OF the little hall. I made up
my mind that this must be a cheap
boarding house, and determined TO in
terrOgate the girl concerning the lodg-
erS.
Docs Miss Mason live here?" I ask
ed / had learned her name at the store.
yes" returned she snappishly.
whats that to you?"
Nothing in particular" replied, a
little disconnected at this unexpected
question. "She was taken i'll at the
store and fear I may have been the
cause of il. / only wished to inquire
how she was"
"Ob, reckon she's all right" Se-
piled she Of the scrubbing brush, and |
returned once more TO her task, which |
my question had interrupted.
rs she at hOme?'
NO; she just went out. Did yer |
want TO see hero"
"But thought she was ill?" said, |
surprised at this piece Of information.
"Eot much, 1 guess; she amt been |
gone mOre'n a minute"
Did she say where she was gOing?" |
eyes; Maiden. That's where her 1
folks used to live. She said she |
wOuldn't be back tonight"
Evidently / could find out nothing /
more from this source, and I was just |
about 70 turn away when a gentleman !
brushed me uD the steps and started to |
90 into the house.
l recognized him as Frank Holden, |
whom had met several times in Boston |
and Cambridge society. In his hurry |
he had not recognized me, and / was |
about TO pass out when his conversation |
caused me TO stop. AS he went by the |
girl she caught him by bis coat and |
said: 1T amt any use gOin' in, Mr.. !
Holden, she amt there"
"Whatl Isn't Miss Mason at home?" |
"NO, I guess she's got tired Of wait
ing for you, you amt been here in so
longs" this last remark with coarse
laugh.
'Oh, come, Lizzie, my good girl" he
replied, Eve been busy, and could not
help it. think l will wait, however;
she may be back soon"
Il guess she won't"
~ think she will. Bat tell me, Liz
zie Is she well?"
mo, she amt. She came home from
the store this morning sick"
"Sickw he exclaimed, and started
violently.
Eyes, had a faintinR turn" SO cried,
''and"-
I had been standing by all this time,
wondering how the deuce the fashiona-
BILE Frank Holden knew anything about
this girl and what he wanted TO see her
for. I now Joined in the conversation,
and stepping forward interrupted Liz
zle. and said, Excuse me, Mr.. Holden,
but as I happened to be at Jordan &
Marsh's when Miss Mason tainted, per-
hapS can give you theinfOrmation you
desire"
He recognized me and thanked me,
though at the same time / could see
that he was annoyed at my presence.
"The illness is nothing to be alarmed
at or startled about" l said, "merely
little faiuting attack, the result OF
shock; she must be much better, as
she has gone out"
eyes. of course. Excuse me II l
seem inQuisitive, but l am very much
interested in Miss Mason's welfare.
MAY I ask whal caused the shock"
"Why, certainly, 1 replied" growing
more and more surprised as the bower
sation continued. 'She received pack
age the contedts Of which seemed to
startle her."
eyes, know it was sample Of rib
bon"
How the devil did you know it
thouSh? thought to myself, but l did
not say so.