Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-06-24
CHAPTER TX.
who's He?

CHAPTER TX.
who's He9
Mrs. Aurelia Dexter was not a Yam
kee-native or whitewashed whichever
it was-for nothing. She was shrewd
and pretty long-headed after her kind.
She had secured, as an entertainer, but
still secured, weeks invitation at
vantage point there was no saying
what upward step might be the next.
Of course, therefore, she must make a
good show in dress and SO forth. Her
wardrobe was already stocked tolerably
to her satisfaction, but in jewellery she
considered herself deficient But buy
really good and first-hand trinkets?
Not she, when such accommodating
places as pawn-shops existed. And
considering that the American had
been a stranger to London till within
two months it was certainly singular
that she asked no information in the
matter, but clearly knew we'll the vic
Unity, and even shop, for what she
wanted; for one morning, shortly be-
fore her departure for the country, she
dressed herself in dark, plain dress,
travelled by bus to lottenham Court
road, where she alighted and walked
w it till she came to large corner,
shop, high above which hung the magic
three balls of everyone's uncle"
Round the corner, in the side corner,
in the side street, was that obliging
relatives department, whilst the sell
ing department was in the big thor
oughfare. 1t Is this facility for an ION
the c. T." entrance which makes a cor
ner position almost as desirable for a
pop" shop as for a public-house.
Over the door was painted the name
of Joseph Purday, and within were two
decidedly Hebrew looking individuals,
master IND assistant, evidently, and
both engaged in serving customers
when Aurelia entered, so she took a
seat and waited. The master was
nearest to her, attending to a man be-
tween fifty and sixty with iron-grey
hair. At the moment his back was al
most quite turned towards Mrs. Dex-
ter, and in the cursory glance she gave
him on entering the shop she judged
him by his general appearance to be
commercial traveller or dealer of some
kind. He was looking over a consid-
cradle assortment of fancy goods at the
moment, which Mr.. Joseph Purday was
eulogising as extremely cheap, adding:
And, of course, if you take this as
a job lot, I'll let it go at ten per cent
off picking and choosing"
NO" the dealer began, slowly.
But then he perceived Aurelia waiting.
and turned round and added politely:
Beg pardon, ma'am, I can wait till
you're served. Mines a longish job"
AS Mrs Dexter saw the mans face
full and heard his voice she started
slightly. very slightly, and for second
her eyes looked hard at the ragged,
large-featured face turned to her, but
she said at once with smile and a
slight bow of Acknowledgements:
Thank you, sir, but certainly not
l, too, shall be some time, and l guess
III wait. Fair is fair. I'll wait, Mr..
Purday. whilst you attend to this gem
tleman. reckon his times more val
liable than mine"
The dealer laughed and said:
We'll, well, maybe so. Thank We,
ma'am, I'll go ahead, then. Look here,
mister, just see what cheaper lots
you've got. This is no go for Islington
customers. dye see, if you took of fl
teen per cent. even"
"Oh, I've got cheaper still, dare
say" returned the pawnbroker. 'I'll
look" and he went little further and
began searching in some drawers be-
hind the counter.
The dealer sat down facing Mrs. Dex-
ter, and resting one arm in comfortable
fashion on the counter, remarked, in
an assertive question:
American, eh?"
Eyes. New York." said she, with an
other keen. furtive look at the ques-
toner, and long. silent breath Of re-
lief.