The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-06


case that stood beside the door woods
and bright-coiored ribbons were dis
played, and &c the counter were laid
tapes. pins and needles. and all kinds Of
small ware.
Craseby was a large manufacturing
town. such as the North abounds In,
where people earned In the factories
good money" which they were always
too ready 10 spend: and among the wo-
men not little of each weeks wages
found its way to Miss Hampson In ex-
change for the bright ribbons displayed
in her glass case, or In a cotton blouse
of brilliant tint; and Saturday afternoon
was the time when these important pur-
chases were made. Friday evening was
pay time, and the money was burning
holes in the owners pockets until the
halliday holiday gave them in the leisure
they required TO so and spend Ii.
Eilen-or Miss Hampson as she was al
ways calied-was a general favorite In
the way we regard something We rather
pity. She was so quiet and humble IN
manner. so ready to please and obiige,
and would take as much trouble in sery-
ing a penny customer as one who came
for things many times that amount
In appearance she was rather gaunt !:
her clothes seemed to hang loosely on
her and her hands were rough and red
with hard work. There was a patient
look in her brown eyes. and her hair. had
she allowed IT. grew loosely AMI lightly
over her temples. but this was strained
tightly back. Undoubtedly she had the
makings OF a good-lookng woman, that
for lack OF being made the most Of were
going to seed.
For many years she had supported her
mother. but now she had no one depend
ent upon her. and her loneliness and des-
olation were keenly felt by Ellen 1t had
never been her way to think OF herself:
indeed. she would consider II a real waste.
and almost sinful. to have things COM
Portable Just for herself Whilst the
mother lived. her one thought had been
for her, and towards the end the mother
had grown childish and fretful, but this
had only made her more patient and
thoughtful for the helpless ones COM
fort She was essentially one OF those
natures whose greatest happiness con-
sists In having some one dependent upon
her; 1t was very meat to her hungry,
lonely heart. for hidden beneath her nat
ural reserve was whole sea of love
simply running to waste. Love! Such a
precious thing to be wasted; still, II
would seem no one desired 1t.
How often 1t Is so! Those who have
the greatest love to bestow, and are most
worthy, are often those whose love is
least sought.
Va IL SOou DuSlUtSS. Ellen would say,
land I just live In that, and p'r'aps I'm
downright ungrateful to expect more: but
cotton and tapes are poor company, and
now mothers gone 1 never feel as though
II matters whether customers are few or
many. 1t was different then; each tinkia
OF the bell seemed like a luxury for
mother"
But it wasn't often she had time to in
dulge in such wicked thoughts" as she
lid f1y- lV,S
it was only during the week at odd mo-
ments' that she could sit down bit. and
then this desolation came. and almost
seemed TO suffocate her. And on Sundays
she seldom ventured out, except TO go to
church. for il was so doubiy dreary 10
walk out alone, when everyone except her
self had a companion. and right down in
the bottom of her heart she envied the
young couples who would stroll by arm
IN arm, utterly obiivious TO everybody or
thing except themselves.
Years ago when she had been girl OF
about Il. young George Seaton had wanted
her to keep company with him: but the
mother had declared she was too young.
and now Ellen thought. with sigh, II
am too DID," though In reality. she was
not very much the wrong side OF -, but
then she looked very much older. and it
is supposed a woman is as old as she looks.
Ellen would not be tempted out OF her
little parior to go for a walk. for she felt
her loneliness more In going out than
when sitting by herself In the house. 10
was almost like being a leper 10 walk
alone. Doubtless there were many people.
had they known how much pleasure they
could have given. who would gladly have
invited her out walking. but the general
impression was that Miss Hampson was
rather duh sort OF person, who was
happy enough in her own way.
Ii had been warm. suitry' day, and to-
wards evening Ellen stood at her door try
ing to get breath Of air. when Dick
parnley came along the street. He was
good looking man. with an honest face and
clear blue eyes. and was a general favor
lite. Crasehy was not his native part. for
he hailed from the Mdlands. lie was
carpenter by trade. and had more than
once done some small Jobs for Ellen.
In passing he gave her a pleasant nod.
and then turning rather suddenly. ne
came hack and followed Ellen. who had
gone in. into the shop. treading cautious
~. as though he feared TO do some dam
age
II want some buttons please" he said.
a little awkwardly. placing sixpence on
the couuter: chose with holes in them"
What size will YOU be wauting?'
This was evidently n poser. At length
he answered: ''Middl!n big
You has n deal OF stuff he remarked,
looking around: hut not much in my line.
I'm thinking"
o no. I don't know anything about
mems thinxx---' blushlng. II suppose
you are buying these buttons for some
ope@ TN change them, you know. IL
they're not right
The man gave little laugh. IS IL some
thing amused him.
I'm real obliged % YOU" ne said: and
az she parcel was ready. he hade Ellen
a civil good evening. and went out OF.
the shop whlstiing.
After that evening Dick rarnley was
frequent customer. and such strange
th.ugs he would buy that Ellen grew
quite pushed.
1.-THE nelxhborS must think A deal Of
him" she thought. sending him on their
shopping. Roughly guessing, he must
have bought enough ;spe "a reach right
down 10 the station at Dlnton. ussesss:
and plas. ana c0ft0fs. and e yard OF rink
r1bhon-aud how particular he VAS over
the shade. bless ne, re mfeE; haxe been
q woman, Who was it for I wcndcr?''
I'm fond Of ;hat color" he had said
as Ellen measured ard cat the ward and
a hsf of. adding. IN his frank. outspoken
way. do yoU ever wear il. MISS
% no" she answered. hurriedly; col
ors aong suit ne
I'm thinking as y ~ wrong there"
be replied I'm Sat a customer st
that moment coming in Darnley had
taken the ribbon up and departed.
The next day was Sunday. ard. as
usual Ellen had seated herself IN her dan
lizzie pavlor though the SIN Was shining
iuslt!ngly and the world Was astlv. Il
wsS one II those delicious summer DAYS,
wftn 3 ccoai gentle brsrze to temper the