The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-01-15

How L hoped that her shopping would
bring her to my counter, and that 1t would
fall to my lot to serve her with silk or
satin. Yes, that was evidently what she
had come to buy, for now the shopwalker
was conducting her towards me, and in
another minute she had seated herself in
a chair opposite me-.
AS 1 asked, What is your pleasure,
madam the customary formula did not
sound so trite to ME as usual, and seemed
even to have become endowed with a sub
tie meaning of its w
II want to look at white silks and sat
ms" she said, something suitable for a
ball dress."
1 brought out all my choicest goods and
spread them before her; she selected the
very one j would have chosen for her my
self-a. rich, soft satin, that was worth
every penny of the rather high figure at
which it was priced, but when I reckoned
it up and told her what the whole dress
length would come to She put it aside and
said she was afraid it was too expensive.
She looked very disappointed, but she
began to make a second choice, remarking
that She thought it was a great shame If
she should have TO fofego her fancy for
the sake of a few pounds.
I was so madly in owe with her already
that 1 was only dying to crafty her every
wish, and a hasty plan came into my head
by which she might have the satin, and
yet no one be a bit the wiser.
I appeared to reflect.
IF you will allow me to remove these.
madam" I said. gathering together the
pile of silks, not forgetting the precious
satin, II think I remember to nave a
dress length very similar to the one you
have chosen, marked at half price, owing
to a Sigh. damage; but it is so very slight
that l am sure it would not interfere with
tla NJ II IN rr I'm In tho J01rY II xyl11. cI~,,, a
to you"
I retired with my armful Of silks in great
excitement of my ruse, and presently re-
turned with the identical piece of satin,
which 1 had now metamorphosed by vari-
Gus ships of the scissors along the edge,
added to one or two dusty finger marks in
the middle.
She looked at it carefully.
''It really seems quite as nice as the one
you just showed me-" she exclaimed in
delight.
1T is absolutely the same thing" 1 said,
preserving my countenance, going at half
price because of the damage, and it's only
to this end. too. o won't lose half a
yard by it in the whole piece"
II think I'll decide on taking it," she
said. THANK you very much; that is all
to Miss Lily Grahame, Asburnham
Grange
l made out the bill, and after a mo-
ment's mental arithmetic announced:
9Th will be Go lis Cd, if you please
But needless to say L settled it at the desk
for twice that sum.
II let you have the bill with the parcel"
I said guilefully, as 1 counted out her
change, for it is scarcely necessary to add
that l meant to take particular care not
to inclose 1t at all.
Yes, that will do nicely. thank you"
she said. Good morning."
Good morning" 1 responded, trying to
reconcile myself to her departure.
1t came on to rain heavily after she had
gomez but the rest of the day was suf-
fciently bright for me-. l had got her name
ard address. too, and though / did not
know either, / trusted I should soon find
some one who did. l wondered for what
ball she was saying her dress. and wished