Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-04-11
iction
REDEfMlN6 HER SEX.
By xgNA kENaEpv WILSON.

II Are you sure, madam, you bCugh
 nothing in the upholstery departmen
 on Thursdny!"
 'Yes: I ani sure" . | 'Then thia receipt for $3.29 was xiv cn you for a five dollar deposit?'
 "Yes; 1t must have been. I was here
 Thursday and paid $5 on a rug, and
 when T. got home lrounti the Peceip, was for $3.e9."
 Well. just take chair. and I will look It up"
 The head of the department went through pile of papers before him. A faiatly amused contemptuous glance fin his eye told the underclerk that he he'd branded her story another lie"
 In few minutes he turned to her and said courteously. but coidly: Strange; cur slip says S5. Now, l l will give ycu duplicate receipt. will keep the receipt you gave me for the $3.29. It Is of no value to you, D looking her In the eye. No; oh. no! Of course not. Thank you. I--I-knew had paid the $5."
 After she had left he took his way. with smile. to the upholsterIng de- partment. When he returned the smile was almost a sheer.
 "Well." said the underclerk. witt a laugh.
 Same old thing" he said wearily. 'The receipt was given for goods bought by her Thursday. She has lost or mislaid her receipt for the S5 and judging us by herself. was afraid we would deny receiving it, so matched up that He. By heavens. believe wo- man would lie her soul away to save dollar!"
 The other man chuckled.
 You think 1t is funny. We'll, don't"
 An hour later he turned to his clerk again:
 "Five more women, i've more lies--a good record for an hour"
 A woman stood beside him, and as his eyes scanned her quickly he smiled invOluntarily.
 She was not shabbily genteel, but shabbily grotesque. The skinny cape, the threadbare waist. the befowered bonnet and III hanging skirt were of all colors and materials. They were alike only In cleanliness.
 She raised her sharp brown eyes, hesitated and smiled little tremu- lousiy, showing gums entirely devoid of teeth. Then. straightening herself up, she said slowly:
 I've come to see If you'd take rug back"
 What Is the matter with the rug?"
 "Nothln', only l don't want It."
 "How long have you had it? A cou- pie of days. suppose" ironically.
 "No; I've had 1t purty near two month"
 But you have not used 1t, of courseT'
 Well, it's been OH the floor all the time. but only set there when I have company, an I don't have company very often," this q little apologetical- ly. its purity rug, an like 1t, but l want to send it back"
 Why did you buy it If you didn't want it?' he asked bluntly.
 "l do want 1t, but--but I've got to have some money. an I can't get 1t unless can send the rug back"
 How much was iti'''
 Eleven dollars an forty cents." she answered dejectedly.
 Are you sure there Is nothing wrong with the rug?" he asked in an insin- uating voice. If 1t ls crooked or off color or not as represented may be able to do something for you"
 No emphatically, but sorrowfully; there ain't nothin' wrong with the rug. It's purity an all right, but 1t ain't hurt any, an I must have the money, an'-an' thought you might take 1t back"
 Give me your name and address," he said, "and will call tomorrow and | look at 1t. I will tell you then what l can do." His eyes held a smile that | was not amusement or contempt, but a combination of incredulity and joy that made the underclerk wonder. I The next afternoon he climbed five flights of stairs and was ushered into the room with the rug.
 It's Haunting eolors, the glaring chro- mos, the table with the installment plan album. the few wooden chairs md the old cane rocker even the one little scarlet geranium. were noted In single glance. But he looked at the 'ld woman's face long and steadily. It was such a battered old face, as hough time, sorrow and privation had ought out their desperate battle there ind left each time traces to tell the ale.
 Its a purty rug" was what she aid.
 You don't want to give up the rug. Why do you do so?'
 She clutched nervously at her apron md shrank within herself before the nan who seemed to fill the room with lis dominant. forceful personality. He vas so strong, young. we'll groomed, hat she felt suddenly old, weak and ielpless before him.
 Excuse me-" he said kindly. \ had A oR