The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-06

cold-alr shaft-and unfolded a paper on
which he had carefully prepared a memo
randa that was to be of immense benefit
to him in accomplishing the task which he
had mapped out for himself. Something
for MOTHER were the words at the top Of
his list Congratulating himself upon his
forethought in coming a-shopping in such
a practical manner, he folded up the paper
and replaced 1t in his pocket. murmuring
under his breath that Christmas buying
wasn't so bad. after all, If one but went at
il I'm the proper way.
Something for mother" he repeated.
THAT will be easy and he took a patron
izing survey of the big store. His eyes
wandered from the counter filled with
toilet articles in the front part of the estab-
Iishment. past the handkerchiefs and wells
that fioated across the aisle on wires over
head. past the bargain tables. where pieces
of silk remnants. slightly soiled' were on
view. past the booths where gloves and
stockings and corsets and other strange
things were being exhibited. past the purses
and hand satchels, to the book shelves in
the rear of the building.
He waited a moment or two, hoping for
an inspiration. but for some aggravating
reason 1t refused to come. What would
be a good present for mother, anyway?
Taking courage, he elbowed his way
through the crowded aisles, his objective
point being the glove counter. AS he was
nothing but mere man, and not able to
cope with all the women shoppers who
were thronging the store. he soon lost his
bearings, and, after drifting helplessly
about for a while. like an oarless boat on
a storm-tossed sea, he found himself back
again beside the cold-air shaft, catching
his death OF cold.
The toilet counter was near by, so he
drew UP along side of IL and decided to rest
bit. Behind this counter three young
women clerks had their heads together.
The middle one was holding thick pile of
finely written manuscript, whose soiled and
battered pages gave evidence of its having
been submitted to a number of publishers.
The girl who held the manuscript was APP
parently the author of a thrilling love story
and she was taking advantage of the occa-
sional moments OF leisure during the days
routine to read her absorbing tale TO her
companions. Here was an unlocked for
novelty and the man-shopper became inter-
ested at once. He sat down on a revolving
stool I'm front of the counter and upon be-
ing asked by one of the girls if he wanted
to buy anything, said no. he merely wanted
to wait there for few moments.
The young women eagerly returned to the
manuscript, and the reader continued where
she had left off, holding the pile of foolscap
paper where 1t would not be noticed by the
fioorwalker, should he chance to come along
that way. AT this moment, IRshe read,
'Ethel-the beautiful maiden with the vio-
let eyes heavily fringed with black lashes-
rushed into the room and seizing Harry Lex
ington by the arm, dashed the"
"Have you any cold cream?' inquired a
buxom little woman, edging her way up to
the counter.
With a weary expression the author pro-
duced a bottle of Somebody's Facial Mas
sage and bit her lips with impotence as the
customer slowly fingered box of scented
soap.
What's the price Of this?' asked the
newcomer.
"Forty-nine cents" answered the author
raising her eyebrows and shutting her lips
| tightly together as the woman hesitated.
'Ts 1t any good?" the customer inquired
sweetly, perfectly oblivious OF the others
freezing looks.
1T is said to be very good" returned the
| author, in a tragic tone of voice.