The Washington herald., 1908-03-12
CHAPTER XIV.
More Ahout Marion.

The following Sunday afternoon Was
warm and bright. perfect for up-riyer ex-
cursions, and. as was their usual habit.
Max and Marion were spending the day
together.
Released from the eternal hustle Of Ok
ford street, the girl looked forward with
eager anticipation TO each Saturday after
noon and SuBday-the weekly period of
rest and recreation To the assistant In
shops where the ''livlng-in" system per-
tains. Sunday is the one bright interval in
an otherwise dull, dreary, and monoto-
nous life. the day when he or she gets
away from the WEAKNESS of being busi-
nessiike. the smell OF the goods. and
the keen eye Of the buyer or shop-walker.
and when one is ones own master for a
few brief hours.
To those not apprenticed in their youth
to shop life, and who, being born In
higher status. have been compelled TO
enter business as means Of livelihood.
the long hours are terribly irksome, espe-
cially in winter when artificial light is
used nearly the whole day The work is
soul-killing in its monetony. and the pay
very meager, therefore customers need
hardly be surprised when a tired assistant
does not take the trouble to exert herself
unduly to satisfy her requirements.
In summer Marion loved the river. The
air was fresh and healthful, after the
vitiated atmosphere OF the costume de-
partment at Cunnington's. Usually Max
brought his little motor boat from BIZ
fens at Hammersmith Bridge, where he
Kept II. up TO Kew. and there they would
embark in the morning and run up 70
Hampton Court. Staines. or even Wind
sor, getting their luncheon or tea at one
or the other of the old riverside inns,
and spending lazy afternoon up some
quiet. leafy backwater. where, though so
near the metropolis. the kingfishers
skinned the surface Of the stream and
the water lilies lay upon their broad. green
leaves.
Those lazy hours spent together were
always delightful Therefore 10 the de-
voted pair, wet Sunday was indeed a
calamity. On the afternoon in question
they had met at Kew Bridge at o'clock.
and as she sat upon the crimson cushions
IN the stern they were ascending the
broad Thames. the motor running as
evenly as a clock, and leaving a small
wash Ia their wake Marion could not
meet her lover before. because she had
spent the morning with a poor girl who
had been a fellOw-asslstant at Cunning
tons. and was now in Guys Hospital
The girl Was friendless and in a danger
Gus condition; therefore Marion had given
UP her morning and taken her some
grapes.
There were not many people on the
river, for pleasure seekers usually prefer
the reaches above Richmond. The craft
they passed were mostly sailing boats.
belonging 10 the club at Chiswick, and the
Inc fahH NJ
servancy.
In a well-eut gown OF white, plain cot
ton, with lace and muslin at the throat.
straw hat OF mushroom shape. with
band Of pale blue velvet, and white
sunshade over her shoulder. she looked
delightfully."- fresh and cool. He was IN
navy serge suit and a peaked cap, and IN
his mouth was pipe.
Sea "a sideways in the boat, with the
throbbing motor at his feet. ne thought
he had never seen her looking so chic
and indescrlbably charming. Those stin
black dresses, which custom forced her
10 wear in business, did not suit her soft
beauty. But IN her river dress she look
ed delightfully."- dainty. and he tried TO
conJure Up a vision Of what figure she
would present in a well-cut evening gown.
The latter however, she did not possess.
The shop assistant has but little need Of
a decollete, and, indeed. its very possess
sion arouses comment among the palmer,
more prudish. and more elderly section
Of the girls in the house"
More than once Max had wanted TO
take her to the stalls of the theater in
an evening gown, but she had always de-
clared that she preferred wearing a light
blouse. AS man generally is, he is
blunderer. and she could not well eX-
plain how. by the purchase of evening
clothes. she would at once debase herself
in the eyes Of her fellow-assistants. As
was well known. her salary at Cunning
tons did not allow OF such luxuries as.
theater gowns, and from the very first
she had always declined 10 accept Max's
well-meant presents
The only present of his that she had
kept was the pretty ring now upon her
slim. white hand, a ring set with sap
phires and diamonds and inscribed within
From Max to Marion" with the date.
AS she leaned back enjoying the fresh
air. after the dust and sitting heat OF
London, she was relating how pleased the
poor invalid had been at her visit, and
he was listening 10 her description Of her
friends desperate condition. A difficult
operation had turned out badly, and the
surgeons held out very little hope Not
a soul had been to see the poor girl all
the week. the nurse had said. for she
had no relatives, and all her friends were
in business and unable to get out, except
on Sunday.
I very much fear she won't live to see
next Sunday Marion was saying, with
sigh, a cloud passing over her bright
face 1T is so very sad. She's only
twenty, and such a nice girl. Her father
was a naval officer but she was left
penniless, and had to earn her own liv-
ing"
Like yourself. dearest" he answered.
'Ah how I wish l could take YOU from
that life Of drudgery. 1 can't bear to
think Of you being compelled to slave as
you do. and to wait upon those crOtchety
old cats, as many Of your customers are.
It's shame that you should ever have
gone into Cunnington's."
Mr.. Statham Charles employer. holds
the controlling interest in our business.
It was through him that 1 got in there.
Without his influence they would never
have taken me- for l had no experience.
As matter OF fact she added, I'm
considered very lucky in obtaining sit
uation at Cunnington's, and Mr. Warner,
our buyer. is extremely kind to me-"
Il know all that, but it's the long
hours that most wear you out" he said
especially In this close. muggy weather"
OA- m pretty StfOng, Sne declared
lightly, her beautiful eyes fixed upon him
"At first 1 used to feel terribly tired
about tea time, but nowadays I can
stand It very much better"
But you really must leave the place."
Max declared. Charlie should arrange
things so you could leave. His salary
from old Statham Is surely sufficient 10
enable him to do that
Yes; but IL he keeps me. how can he
keep wife as well?r' asked Marion.