Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-09-26


Hilda, who had given signs of be-
tng in a hurry, rose and walked to-
ward the door. Barbara also got up,
and, somewhat to Mrs. Nane's sur
prise said: II think I'll go, too. I'll
walk along down town with you, Hill
da, if you don't mind"
Hilda nodded and Barbara was not
quite sure that she was pleased to
have her company; but Barbara had
been thinking of plan, and she need
ed to be with Hilda a little while in
order to carry it out. So the two
went away together.
They had walked down the street
half a block, when, in answer to a
question, Hilda said she was plan
ming to do some shopping.
LET me go, too; are you willing?"
81 don't mind said Hilda, but with
a note of hesitation that Barbara
could not help remarking.
They went into several of the
smaller stores, where both of them
purchased one or two small articles,
and finally entered the great store
of Bondmans.
Hilda knew one of the girls in this
store, and as they stood by the
counter she introduced Barbara. The
girl behind the counter stared hard
at Barbara, but returned her greet
ing civilly enough, and then began
to giggle and whisper with Hilda.
Hilda seemed nervous, and repeated
1y looked at Barbara as if she were
in the way; and Barbara, thinking
the others might have some secrets,
walked over to the opposite counter.
She had been there only minute
when young man sauntered up to
Hilda and the friend behind the coun-
ter, and all three began to talk to-
gether. He was not a bad-loolfing
fellow, but Barbara quickly put him
down as of that class of weak-headed
youths who might be seen almost
any Sunday evening walking down the
main street of Crawford in company
with one or more factory girls.
This time Barbara did not attempt
to avoid watching Hilda. A floor
walker in the store, going by at the
same time, glanced sharply at the
young man; but he was apparently
buying something. The foorwalker
turned at the end of the counter, and
came back; and this time he looked
longer at the two girls, and finally
beckoned to the one behind the
counter. She turned very red, and
came over to where he stood. He
whispered something to her thai
made her turn pale and instantly she
nd aI ha 10 ~
some little articles that Hilda had
bought, giving the foor-walller, as
she did so, several hateful looks.
Hilda and the young man contin-
ued to talk together while waiting
for the change. When it came, he
seemed to hesitate and finally looked
over at Barbara. Hilda said some
thing, and he answered and walked
slowly out of the store.
Barbara came over, and Hilda
picked up her purchases.
'Are you ready?"
YES" Hlda said shortly and after
ter they went out.
They walked along for some dis
tance and then Barbara ventured to
say: "Why didn't you introduce me
to your young gentleman friend?"
HiIda colored deeply as she an
Swered slowly: Il didn't suppose you
would care to know him"
"Why not?"
"Well, you're not really one of u.s."
said Hilda, looking sideways at Bar
bara.
Barbara could not help smiling
-"IIow not one of you?"
Mrs. Vane told me you're not
really working out"
"What am | doing?"
"I don't know" replied Hilda, hope
lessly, and then was silent. Bar
,ra made her decision rapidly.
Put I'm working out just as much
are, Hilda. What is the diff
educated" said Hiida
has nothing to do with
my being servant ii
house. | want to be
Il, IIilda. Aren't yor
Iilda answered, IL
"a did not thinl