The Washington herald., 1908-03-05
CHAPTER VI.
Mentionr a CurIour ConfesEion.

MI warner, buyer or the costumes AT
Cunnington's. noticed the tall. athletic
figure of the young man in brown tweeds
known as Mr.. Evans. OF Dover street. ad-
vance acrosss the drab carpet with
which the department" was covered
he smiled within himself.
The young ladies'" OF Cunningtons
were not allowed any airtations. 1t was
the sack" at a moments notice for any
girl being found flirting either with one
OF the male assistants or with an out
slider. though he be a good customer.
Cunnington's hundred and one rules. with
fines ranging from threepence to half a
crown, were stringent ones. Mr.. Gun
nington himself. a short, black-bearded
man, Of keen business instinct, was a
kindly master; but in such a huge estab-
lishment, with its hundreds OF employees.
rules must Of necessity be adhered to-.
Nevertheless, the buyers or headmen Of
the various departments each controlled
their own assistants. and some being
more lenient than offers toward the girls,
rules were very often broken.
Cunningtons was, therefore, known to
be one OF the most comfortable cribs
in the trade. Assistants who came up to
London in search of a billet always went
to see Mr.. Cunnington. and happy he or
she who obtained a personal introduction
10 him. He had earned his success by
dint of hard work. Originally an assist
ant himself in a Birmingham shop. he
had gone into business for himself in
Oxford street. in one small establish
ment. and had. by fair dealing and giving
good value, prospered. until great rows
OF windows testified to the fortune he had
amassed.
Unlike most employers in the drapery
trade, he was generous to a degree. and
he appreciated devoted service. In his
great shops he had many old hands.
Some, indeed. had been with him ever
since his first beginning. Those were his
trusted leutenants, of whom Warner.
Of the Costumes was one.
What Warner said was never queried.
and, being kindly man, the girls in his
department did pretty much as they
liked.
Max Barclay. or Mr. Evans. as he had
several times given his name, had run
the gantlet of the shopwalkers Of the
outer shops. and penetrated anxiously to
the costumes. At that hour there were
no customers. Before Il there is but lit
tie shopping in oxford street. Buyers
then see travellers. who come In their
brOughams. and assistants rearrange and
display their stocks.
On entering the department Max at
once caught sight OF the tall, fair-haired
girl who, with her back 10 him, was ar
ranp~iup "a 1fupp costume 17nou a efand
Two other girls glanced across at him,
but, knowing the truth. did not ask
what he required. He was Miss Rolfes
admirer they guessed, for men did not
usually come in alone and buy twenty
guinea ready-made costumes for imag-
mary relatives as he had done
He was standing behind her before she
turned suddenly, and blushed in surprise.
Warner. sitting in his little glass desk.
noticed the look upon the girls face and
fully realized the situation. He liked
Marion's brother, while the girl herself
was extremely modest and an excellent
saleswoman. He knew that Charles Rolfe
and this Mr. Evans were friends. and
that fact had prevented him from for
bidding the Irritation TO continue.
Evans was evidently q gentleman. Of
that he had no doubt.
Why" she exclaimed TO her lover
This is really a great surprise. You are
early"'
Because I wanted to see you. Marion"
he answered. quickly.
She noticed his anxiety, and in an in
stant grew alarmed.
why. what's the matter?" she asked,
glancing round 10 see whether the other
girls were watching her. You ought not
TO come here, you know, Max. fear
Mir. Warner will object to you seeing me
in business hours"
"Oh. never mind him. darling" he re-
piled. in a low voice. Il want 10 ask you
a question or two. Where did you see
Maud last night?"
I met her at the door at Queens Hall
was TO go TO Cromwell road 70 call for
her, but she teIegraphed to me at the last
moment. She was with Charlie. she told
me-"
And where Is Charlie?"
Gone TO Servia- He left Charing Cross
by the mail last night"
Max reflected that his friend had not
left as his sister supposed.
And where did you leave MaudY'
Il walked TO the tube station ar Pic
cadilly Circus and left her there. She
went to Earrs Court station. and I took
a bus home She told me that you'd
been 10 see the doctor earlier in the even
ing But why do you ask all this?''
"Because-well, because, Marion, some
thing unusual has occurred he replied.
Unusual" she echoed. What do you
mean?"
Did Maud tell you anything about her
future movements last night-or mention
her fathers intentions2''
Intentions of what?"
"Of leaving the house in Cromwell
read"
NO; she told me nothing. Only"
"Only what?"
We'll, it struck me that she had some
thing on her mind. You know how bright
and merry she usually IS Well. last
night she seemed very thoughtful. and I
wondered whether she had had any little
difference with Charlie"
You mean that they may have quar-
reled?"
Il hardly think that likely" she said.
quickly Charlie is far too fond of her.
as you know"
And her father does not altogether ap-
prove of it," Max remarked. "He has
told me so.
Poor Charlier' the girl said. for she
was very fond Of her brother. He was
always a good friend TO her. and gave her
money 10 buy her dresses and purchase
the few little luxuries which her modest
stipend as a shop assistant would not
allow her otherwise 10 possess. I'm
sure he's devoted 10 Maud. And she's one
OF the best girls l know. They'd make
perfect pair. But the doctors a for.
eiSner. and doesn't really understand
Englishmen."
Perhaps that's it." Max said. trying to
assume careless air, for he felt that
hundred eyes were upon him.
Ihelr position was not very comfort
able one, 10 say the least. He knew that
he ought not to have come there during