Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-04-03
MARIAN.
$50 you've been bounceasr said Mr..

etegant wOrui but she understood
enough OF the Popover style of dialect
to know that no harm was intended.
Mrs Popover did not gauge her phras-
eology by "Webster's Unabridged,
but she was good soul, nevertheless
Yes" she answered meekly, I've
been discharged"
Mrs Popover wa stout and short,
with no visible waist, black lace cap
on the side Of her head and her feet
thrust in carpet slippers.
Miss Milman was slight and grace
ful with rudy brown hair and plead
Ing hazel eyes, and looked every inch
the lady in her shabby mourning
PITY, amt it'" said Mrs. Popover.
This time o. year, toon'
YES" sighed Marian "but am
not the only sufferer. Thirty other
girls have gone, too. Business is SO
dull after the holidays Mr.. Meredith
says we shall be re-engaged when the
state of trade warrants it. But !
haven't much hope
And what ye goin' to do now?"
asked Mrs. Popover.
Marian drew & long breath.
Il don't know?" said she, piteously.
just then the door opened, and
blooming young girl came in, with
satchel in her hand.
lis this Mrs. Popover's?" said she.
docs Miss Milman-Oh, Marian, you
dear thing, I've found you at last, Oh,
how glad | am to see you!'
Marian gave little gasp.
Juliet Powers she cried.
Yes it's men beamed Juliet. II
got tired of teaching school down in
Holbrook Hollow, and the trustees were
so exacting, and the children so dread
full, that made up my mind to come
you and see if couldn't get something
10 do in the city"
We'll, ! declare!" said Mrs. Popoper.
Here's Miss Milman herself just been
throwed out o. business. I'd like 70
know how she's to help anybody else?"
Marian gave the good soul an APP
pealing glance,
Il will do the best can, said she.
And Juliet. an apple-faced, sanguine-
natured young country lass, nestled
close up TO her.
II kne,o you would help me-" said
she, because you know all about the
city. And oh. Marian, dear, I'm so
tired and so hungry.
And thus Marian Milman became
charged with the responsibility of an
other besides herself. And the days
went by. and situations were harder
than ever to obtain, and the little COM
mon purse was exhausted, and Mrs,
Popover's account became larger than
ever for the rent of the back bedroom.
with its hedeous green wall paper and
its dispiriting outlook over the tin roofs
and smoky chimney stacks.
Marian, p" said Juliet, what are we
TO do?"
She had came in, tired and weary,
after long days work at the old bust
ness of looking for employment
Marian sat gazing sorrowfully at n
clumsy parcel that lay on the table be-
side her.
They have sent back my poor little
screens and plaques unsold" said She
with & polite note intimating that the
market for that sort of thing is over
stocked"
..Oh, Marian, And you worked so
hard at them" with quick burst of
sympathy.
The more fool I, To tell you the
truth. Juliet" said Marian. with a
forced smile Il begin TO think that the
market for everything is overstocked-
life included"
Juliet threw both of her arms around
the slight young figure.
Darling, you're tired and discour-
aged" said she. You'll feel better
after dinner"
but Juliet, there is no dinner"
Juliet threw open the cupboard doors
and gave one exhausted glance around
its empty shelves. There were the
two china plates, the two china sauc-
ers, the neat knives and forks, the
pewter spoons, the nine-cent pepper
and salts-but that was all.
I'm go out and buy something, =
said she, cheerfully-''a neck of NUT
ton to boil up for soup, or an end
piece of corned beef"
You can't make bricks without
straw" said Marian, sadly, NOR buy
soup-meat without money. At least
I've never been able to do it."
rs the money all gone. Marian?"
"All but five dirty copper cents,
Juliet"
Juliet clicked her tongue softly
against the roof her mouth.
Mrs Popover will trust us for a
few of yesterdays rolls or a loaf OF
stale bread" she suggested cheer
fully.
mo Juliet" said Miss Milman,
resolutely. I'VE are already toe
much in Mrs. Popover's debt ] will
ask no more favors from her"
Must we starve?n resentfully de-
manded Juliet.
Il would rather starve than sink
into the quicksands of debt" Marian
grimly answered.
Juliet's cheeks flushed; she bit her
lips.
There is pawnbroker's on Sixth
- said gba ssApd / hava GOT