St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-07-24

room and, stick In hand, was soon
busy.
1t was an hour later, about two
o'clock, when Helen had finished her
copy and sent it up. While waiting
to read the proof she turned to the
novels she was to review for the
Clarion. Just then Mr.. Hurst reap
peared, and this time his condition
was very apparent.
Miss Leland, the men have struck.
They say your father didn't pay off in
full Saturday and they won't work
nights without their money. If this
paper isn't out I'll take my work to
another Office"
81 will see about that myself" Helen
replied instantly, her eyes blazing with
wrath.
She fairly flew up the stairs. The
men, sullen and defiant, had gathered
in group around the imposing stone.
What does this mean?" she de-
manded. Get back to your cases at
once! The Review must be on time
or we lose the job"
I'VE want our money. We can't
work for nothing" responded one OF
them doggeGiy.
How much does father owe your
Three dollars"
And your she turned to another.
Five dollars, but Hurst said that
he gave your father three hundred
last week and that he paid out most
of it for ball dress for you
For shame!" she cried. Il buy
my own dresses, and-why-Hurst
borrowed 5000 of father last week
to pay for some paper. am ashamed
of you, to allow that man to infu'
ence you. Can't you see that he is
intoxicated and not responsible? We
must get this paper out and then he
can take his work elsewhere. My
father has been as kind to you as td
his own sons and this is the way you
act when he is sick and I cannot tell
him! Frank, you learned your trade
with us, am deeply grieved by your
conduct. I will pay you myself to
morrow. I have no money with me
now. Back to your cases, every man."
and the strike was over-quelled by
girl in an evening gown.
Manning had been a silent, but by
no means uninterested spectator OF
the scene, which had passed too rap
idly for him to take part in it. Now
he turned in establishment back to his
case, his eye taking in the copy be-
fore him and his fingers mechanically
putting the little slips of metal in the
stick in his hand.
His mind was not upon the work
that he was doing. Dancing before
his mental vision was the picture OF
this girl-woman in very truth
CARRIED in a fluffy white gown, with
throat and shoulders modestfy barred,
but with an expression of firmness
and determination upon her face, and
eyes alight with Indignation, at vari
ance with her costume, which of itself
was so out of place in the dingy
printing office. He had seen the ef
feet upon the rough workmen, a
vision of femininity novel to thei7
eyes, but so all-compelling that they
had been thoroughly subdued. As
they returned to work and the girl
left them he heard them mutter:
eve can't stand Miss Helen. We'd
do anything for her. But if that
Hurst comes up here again tonight
we'n throw him out, good and plenty"
Manning noticed that Helen had
checked Hurst as he was about to re-
enter the office, but he did not hear
her say:
You would better rest awhile, Mr..
Hurst. The men are angry with YOU
just now. They will work better with.
out you," and the fellow returned to
a nearby saloon.
The dawn was breaking when Man.
ming took Helen home, for she had
stayed to see the forms made I'D and
the paper on press. A long cloak |
covered her white gown and there
was no one on the streets to remark |
their appearance at an unusual hour. |
A thrill Of pride in her stirred the |
cold man of the world who had been
only amusing himself with this light
hearted child. He had been a fool:
but his eyes were opened at last. This
was the girl he had assumed to be.
trifer, a frivolous butterfly. He had
not thought her even pretty. Now, to
him she was loneliness incarnate. and
n his heart hope planted a germ for
whose future lusty growth the mutual
slances of young eyes augured well
indeed.