The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-03-26

e1 leIl6D the few luckieHa
NE passengers " no
- hasten by
cloakes- syoded and umbrellaed
Not a very promising beginning for
poor Mildred Erskine-iof TINS was
her first day in business.
Business Aud Mildred Erskine
had been q millionaire's daughter
once.
aImustn't think Of these things nov,
said Mildred TO herself. as she crossed I
sfhe threshold Of Messrs. Tape q
Sparkle's great Fancy Emporium,
as it was phrased, in glittering gilt
letters above the shop door IA
working Girl nov, glad enough Of the
chance 10 earn my daily bread.
And win thro6biog heart she hung
her coarse straw bonnet and 5iacN
shawl ia tue dark little room, when
was devoted to the twenty other girls
who stood behind the counter Of Tape
4 Sparkle
A little ierret-eyed man, with a
brislly head Of hair and a complexion
that looked as if he bad been out IN a
rain Of freckles, stepped forward as
she emerged.
lyon are to take charge Of the cnt-
glass aud Parian marble counter, MISS
Frskine," be said. briskly rubbing his
hands. III you need any information
come 10 me for it. beg your
nardon." as she sank gale and uem-
So, into a chair. "bul that is against
our rules. ~
Lacys"
ness-like. Amt the proper thing IN
An establishment like ours.
'Bul there are no customers ~ o.
Cant help that. said Mr.. Lacy.
feeling his stubbly red beard. DIS
cipline must be kept up, Miss Frs
kline ,
And 90 Mildred, vearied with he
long walk 70 the shop, and faint VIII
vague feeling Of dread aud uncer
tainty. stood leaning against th'
counter. inwardly wondering how th
other girls could gigglo an laugh 9
under their breath when Mr.. Lacy
baek was turned, and Mr.. Sparkle,
pompoue bald-headed man, who sat y
priyate Office at the back Of the store
was engaged in his accounts.
Involuntarily she shrank back, col
orine scarlet, as q gay party aiighln
from a close carriage at the door sweI
into the store.
.iHave you alabaster vasess
The careless. insolent tone, the d'
aant hautenr Of the young girls MAJ
ner siung Mildred to the quick. surell
IL the halcyon days OF her prosperii,
she never had addressed q sister won
an like that
IL am not sure. " she faliering
nnawered. ~ viii inquire.
"Pshawr cried ont the girl, tur
fur to her companions. Let's 90
.o.oe one who understands her bus
ness.
aslopr said q deep, calm voice
how Mildred started as Il fell oh .
ear "Here are alabaster vases. W
You tell me the price Of this onef
Yes. Il vas Gerald Avenel-the m
.he had waltzed with at Saratoga yes
ago-the man who had stood with
on the moon-lghted beach at Lo
Branch. when she was jewel
heiress-the cynosure OF eli eyes.
did not know nel now--she was g
of that. but. somehow, It cut her
tbe heart thus 70 realize how ehang
ehe was.
But. as he lifted his eyes 70 her "a
sudden dream OF recognition HASH
into them.
Or"
.syou are not mistaken, Mr.. Avene
aid Mildred. with forced calmne
"The price OF these vases is seven
lars"
aThev told me YOU had gone
Furope az g0verness to an hngi
family" he calculated. 49,.
II did 20. said Mildred, "bat :,
preferred q French governess, and
returned by the next steamer. "a
show you anything mores
A she sat down the vase with trel
ling hands the girl who bad iirst spol
turned away.
II don't like these things,
cried. impatienily. "Horrid stun
signs. only fit for a restaurant
She caught up her gloves as
anoke. aud In the same second q
re little Parian siatuette-Apo
with bent bow and Grecian re
crashed to the marble floor
1fr. Lacy advanced, with lace
ne with repressed wrath, 20 PICK
the fragments.
nTen dollars. Miss Erskine' Ae