The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-02-10
Select Story.
A ROMANCE OF THE SHOP
From London Truth.


sistant, serving behind the counter of a
Westbourne- grove shop. He was young
man of pleasant manners and engaging
exterior, who was a great favorite with
the young ladies of the establishment.
But though he was sweet and affable to
all of them, even to Miss Tomlinson, the
ugliest, his tenderest attentions were di-
vided between Miss Siggers and Miss Mer-
ridew Thomas two favorites differed
widely in all respects. Ermyntrude Sig
gers was tall, striking, forid She had
blue eyes-inclining to bold, if the truth
must be admitted golden hair, so
brilliant as to suggest one of those hair
washes which are emphatically not dyes.
Her voice was loud When she giggled-
which was often-you could hear her in
the showroom upstairs. Her style was
rather free. Mind, l do not suggest that
any breath of suspicion had ever assailed
Miss Siggers' conduct. Still her manners
did, to certain extent, lack that repose
which stamps the caste of We're de We're.
Mabel Merridew was the antithesis of
Miss Siggers. She was neat, sweet, pc
tite Her features were small and deli
cately chiselled. Her complexion was
olive, her eyes most becoming shade of
brown, her hair raven black Her voice
was soft and cooling. She laughed like a
little silver bell. Her manner was confd-
ing, almost to diffidence. You could
imagine Mabel drawing her beaux to her
self by the subtle, silken threads of coy
attractiveness, whereas you could only
imagine Ermyntrude performing that oper-
alton with cart ropes.
That was the mischief of it. When
Miss Siggers once got you fairly hitched
on the cart ropes it was odds against her
letting you loose, as Thomas Tankerville
found The fact was this He had be-
come involved with Miss Siggers before
Miss Merridew came to the shop. He fell
in love with Miss Merridew at once. His
affections were reciprocated. But Ermyn-
trude Siggers regarded him as one of her
own personal effects, and she soon let him
see it. She also gave Miss Merridew
what is commonly called the ''straight
tip"
ssYou're a mean, thievin' cat, that's
what you are, Miss Merridew But down't
you dare come powchin' on my preserves. y
Miss Merridew disclaimed any intention
of poaching on any ones preserves.
''Oh staow your pretended innercence,
Madam said Miss Siggers. yer
think can't read yer like the A B CT
Let me tell yer that Mr.. Tankerville has
booked to this stition, Miss Merridew, and
don't issue now return tickets on my
time.
az can well believe it, retorted Miss
Merridew, firing up. ''Yer down't get so
many passengers on your line that yer can
afford to let one gov when ye do book
im
EFF it's question of passengers, re-
turned Miss Siggers, "your rileway COM
pany d soon need to put up the shutters.
ssAnd if your company mikes any pro-
fits, it can only be out of the goods traffic,
responded Miss Merridew
Forward, Miss Siggers, said the
shop walker And Ermyntrude had to
march off to serve customer
Now, this is sample of what occurred
almost daily And the soul of Thomas
Tankerville was surely vexed within him.
He had proposed to Miss Merridew-in
secret-and Miss Merridew-in secret
had accepted him. He wanted to marry
Miss Merridew shortly. Miss Merridew was
ready to marry him as soon as he liked. But
Thomas Tankerville was coward. He
dared not break with Miss Siggers But he
must get rid of her somehow. What was
to be done
In his trouble he consulted Mabel, and
Mabel, after some reflection, suggested