Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-05-26
BDA'S FORTUNE.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

(Her real name was Bridget Kearney
and her birthplace County Cork, in tn
green little isle of Erin It's long ane
its deep, and he'll love you long ane
truly, my dear. A dark man. will
black eyebrows and cheeks like roses
alb. rare good luck he'll have in gettius
you, sweet ladyr
What nonsense + laughed Eda Elk
ins, colorlng like sweet pea bloom.
She was only Philadelphia shol
GIRL out on day excursion with some
of her mates; but as she emerged from
the fortune teller's tent she caught her
self wondering who the dark man witt
black eyebrows and cheeks like roses,
could possibly be.
1t sounds like Mr.. Berlin, the new
floor walker, don it ? said Julia Kes-
ley, one of the ribbon counter girls.
Don't be silly! said Eda impatiently
Mr.. Berlin has never spoken a word tt
me beyond the commonest politeness
and hardly that
Julia tossed her head.
Well said she, I suppose there are
more dark men in the world than one
You can take your choice Of them, MIS-.
High and. Mighty.
1t was hard to go back to the store
the next day and resume the tedious
routine Of everyday work after thai
bright glimpse Of true love and sun
shine but it is the fate of womankind
and Eda was compelled TO submit.
She was a novice at her work and
there were humiliations innumerable in
her path. She was deal too pretty to
suit Miss Minister, who was superin-
tenisnt Of the hosiery department, and
a deal too young to satisfy old Hopkins,
the cashier, who held that no woman
under thirty had any idea of making
change in the correct manner.
Poor, pretty Eda, no wonder the
wheels rolled so heavily.
1t was only the seconl day after this
that MIR. Berlin found Eda crying soft
ly, in a dark corner Of the reserve de-
surrounded by wilderness
of rasteboard boxes and paper boxes and
paper parcels.
Why, what is the matter, Miss Elk
ms 2 said he kindly.
Miss Minister sent me up tor six box.
es of X and half, sobbed Eda, and
and l must be very stupid, for l can't
tell one box from another. And its so
dark here, and its against the rules to
light a match, and my head does ache
80 =
Mr.. Berlin put down his stock book,
and came to her assistance.
Here. said he, smiling, don't cry
go. This isn't national tragedy. III
show YOU where the X and half boxes
are. But this isn't your business Miss
should have sent cash boy.
Eda dashed away the tears.
IL don't think Miss Minister likes
me, faltered she.
Not like you That's strange'
He spoke from the top of little
with kindly glance back
ward over his shoulder. The words
were simple, but their meaning carried
cheer and encouragement to Eda's de-
spending heart.
She went down stairs IN far happier
mood.
Mr.. Berlin followed her after a few
moments. and spoke quietly to Miss
Minister.
The reserve roolos are scarcely the
place for our young ladies, Miss Mn
ster, said he. Hereafter If you need
anything from there, let me know, and
l will send a cash boy or one Of the
porters.'
Miss Minister acquiescied; but che
was not exactly pleased, and glsred at
Eda more uncompromisingly than ev-
er.
There she said, some two hours af.
terward, i knew how it would be il
you girls had your lunch upstairs A
grease spot on the glove counter and six
pairs of Suede tans ruined. Yes. ruin
ed I
Eda grew pink-then pale.
Il haven't been near the glove count.
er, said she I did eat my lunch up
here, because there are rats and black
beetles down in the packing basement
but | ate it under the stairs where il
couldn't possibly harm anything
.Then,' said Miss Munster. with the
air of a criminal lawyer bullying wit.
ness, how came this grease spot here :?
Eda could not tell. There was some
thing about Miss Minister that paraly w.
ed her reasoning faculties and struck