The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-25
MRS. RAYNE'S MONEY.

sThere's very, very little worth living
for" sad Margaret Lee, looking discon-
solately down the street, as she set out
from her mothers house for her daily
work.
"That hot, humdrum store; those
people, always the same-looking out
for themselves, never caring how much
trouble they give or how torturing they
are with their whims! I always ex-
pected to earn my own living, but I
didn't expect to earn it this way. I'm
tired of it; I'm tired of everything"
"You were pretty nearly late this
morning." said Janet Randell, the girl
who stood at the section in the great store
next to Margarct's. Janet and Margaret
were fast friends, and were talking TO-
gether in moments lull.
Eyes, it was so delightful outside,
and so close and stuify in here!" said
Margaret, with half groan.
Il saw Mr.. Ives look rather sharply at
you as you took your place"
"Oh, I dare say" said Margaret.
!'Let him look"
But you might loose your situation.
You wouldn't like that"
well, L don't know that should care
much. It's one form of slavery here.
The worst that could happen would be
an exchange for another"
s'There comes your terror" said
Janet, gliding back to her own place.
The "terror" was lady who had of
late much frequented her counter, look
ing over her laces, giving good deal of
trouble, and seldom making purchase.
The saleswomen were allowed a small
percentage upon sales-a fact which
rendered such customers severe trial to
their patience.
81 wish to match these pieces" said
the lady, showing some samples.
Box after box was rausasked, and
after I'm hours search, two of the samples
were matched.
> 81 am quite sure we haven't anything
nearer than this" said Margaret, refer
ring to the third. "See; it is so nearly
like it that the difference could scarcely
be seen."
"We have not looked in those boxcs,"
said the lady, glanciug toward row on
6 high shelf.
"Thosc are of an entirely different
style, madam"
But the lady insisted, and Margaret
opened the boxes, one by one, for hel
leisurely inspection.
q Impatient customers, tired of waiting,
went away. From time to time Marga-
ret caught sympathizing glances from
janet, but these were not all. She knew
she was being keenly observed by Helen
Winter, a girl who stood near her on the
other side. Helen had cousin for
whom she wished to obtain situation in
the store, and Margaret knew we'll that
information of any failure in patience on
her part would promptly find its way to
her employers.
Margaret showed no signs of annoy
ance.
LIT seems to me you keep very poor
assortment" said the lady, at last, turn
ing away.
Next came party of customers, who,
it might be hoped, would lie less hard to
please-a bevy of laughing high school
girls, who, satchels in hand, had come
in to take peep at fnery for the ap
preaching graduation exercises.
7 They looked at laces, ruching and
fans, with long discussion over every
article, ending in most cases with de-
cision to refer the matter to mother or
sister. They were not very profitable
customers, but it was pleasant to serve
them.
As the sound of their merry voices
died away, a 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
tiresome counter. Again the burden
pressed heavily on her heart.
As one of the relays of clerks was in
the lunch room, Mr.. Ives, the superin-
tendent, entered.
she has his speech making face on"
whispered Janet to Margaret.
"And he's turning his attention to-
ward US, said Margaret.
"Young ladies'" said Mr.. Ives, pre-
sently, II am sorry to be obliged to in
form you that customer has lost some
money in the store. Mrs. Rayne
visited several of the counters this morn
ing
"Oh yes, she did," came in an under.
toned groan from one OF two victims.
''And has reported at the office the
loss of hundred dollar bill"
There was small sensation, while
many eyes turned upon Margaret.
"rhosc ofyou with WHOM Mrs. Raync
dealt will please make very careful search
for the money among your goods"
sa9s!sToo badT exclaimed Janet, as the
man left the room. "That bothering
woman kept you fooling over her trashy
bits all the morning, Margaret, and now
you'll have to spend 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
eyes," said Margaret, 'I shall have
to 90 to the bottom of every box, and
shake out every piece IN the stock, fo1
she wouldn't be satisfied until had
shown her the very last inch this morn
ing. But do hope some Of US will find
III"