The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-12
This Counting Business
By JEANNE OLIVE Lo1zEAUx.

and Laura were already patns hair into shape.
sur.ept.ousiy powderins their races ana u.s.
twenty Of the fluffy, bigeyed quickly fading type.
steady-eyed with smooth hair and tailored business
look, though her salary little more than theirs
She her book and as the door the boss
she looked steadily their rather tagged facesthe
heat and the work telling them She nerseif
This heat is fierce" complained Maude GROSSLY, TT
makes everybody mean feel like scratchy cat.
and the boss is like bear I'm only respect for
himself-not for me-kept him from swearing when
couldn't read my notes this morning
Laura nodded and pinned on her extravagaht head
gear
did get to sleep last night at all? didn't
until morning-it is really to dance--and
Harry made me mad taking me home-1 wouldn't
waste time on him, only he gives a girl such good
'i@ Caroline sr ss 10 f np sHneTsers
What ails you two girls is not heat-its this court
Ing business The kind that never lands you any
where, and tires you all out for your work You've
no business to dance all night and be practically asleep
the next day The boss supposedly paying for your
waking hours-not your sleeping ones Honestly. you
I'm not one to howl but in this dull season. and 30
many good stenographers wanting summer work IT
charged. don't suppose youn adore me for telling
you this. but It's so'
The girls tried to look scornful hut tho older girl
had been friend In time OF need-she had gotten
them both into her Office. and had paid for their
But they could deny that she pretter than
they. If little older and much their superior in the
We've got to have some fun" commended Laura
/ The three started together for the door. and the
| ct know that and you to have It, but you've
got the wrong IDEA of fun Dancings all right once
halls and with such a sport Harry Hall. That's
only foolhardiness, kids. You'I be sorry. You may
| be all right, but people going to judge you by
the company keep. To be nat.' she finished as
they got Of the elevator and went along the street
would you want to marry OF the men you danced
with last night?"
The two did not answer
good time with you. You're giving them your fresh
ness. and just being with men queers with
|
Maudies dark eyes allied with sudden tears She
home good clean. with a promising business start.
She knew that he had almost declared his love for
her Caroline steered them past their usual place
OF eating to quiet dairy lunehroom
I'm going to boss you for few weeks" she laugh
ed brightly. The lunch is on me to-day-f you let
me order. Dancing all night and sodas and cake for
lunch, and dinner little better, won't do" Che got
little side table and skillfuIy ordered some cold
meat, salad good sweet and milk It was good,
the sulkness from Lauras face and the sadness
While they we're eating Bob Hardy came in He
would have passed them with wistfu but firm lit
to HIM He came gladly enough for he had always
liked her and had been sorry when Maude escaped
Are you busy all the timer" she asked. Because
If you are not want you to come for little picnic
You can bring some fruit and come to my office at
hunt for excuse decided to accept. He would have
preferred keeping away from Maudie. He could not
|
Der pretty hair padded into groesqueness,
her a monstrosity and that she would let Harry
Hall take her to cheap dance. But he promised to
come
her mouth tell Caroline that Thursday the
night OF another dance and they had expected to so
in their own phrase II she knew It Caroline d.. ala
the girls braced up to their work and went
home promising to go to bed at S. and be on time
The next evening Caroline invited herself go
home with them and help them fix some things to
| o casually
asked Mr.. Roberts, head clerk In their ONCE to be OF
rsnc. at he had Wanted
know IL there real girl beneath the little
something sweet and genuine about her despite it
In the little stuffy room the kindly Caroline ccaxed
and praised and oajoed the girls until they had let
her open their trunks She found little light
ss res. for each simple o and LAID away AWAY as no'
bit of lace ribbon. she began altering little to
and then the other The two could not deny the
good effect
not have thought this old junk could be nxed up.
and we wouldn't have worn 1t for anybody but you!
We're your slaves for this occasion What else do
The next afternoon half-past four. three cool.
for three tired hot men whose eyes rested gladly
upon them. They took car to some picnic grounds
some great trees, II was after when they reached
there. and the hungry little company began to get
supper Caroline had told each what to bring and did
4 the planning herself
She had one man get water. another make nre.
Then she produced coffee In tin pail. steak and
a frying pan and potatoes boiled and ready to fry,
Maude in her element remembered her early train
! ing In her mothers kitchen, and fell to work Her
sleeves were turnt back to the shoulder. showing her
nretty arms Her SOFT thick hair untutored unratted
was drawn softly the back OF her round little head
The FIRE brought the red to her cheek She cooked
the steak to q turn and with far greater zest than
she made pothooks in the Office, And Laura the
table. She could not cook, but In her simple white
dress with her curling hair piled the top OF her
graceful head dress turned about her slender
figure artihciality fell from her She forgot to
smpsr and pose, She felt herself genuine and charm
ing-and was so,
The little supper was joy--both as food and al
ia conradeship. The third man, and old friend Of
4 Carolne's. John Foster. sort Of quiet mainstay
hie manly chap seemed quietly to dominate the
group The younger girls had not known him. After
snpper the men had permission to smoke. and az they
sat and the girls sang Foster moved
side
A. twilight began to fall little silence upon
4 the rroup The girls rose and the followed.
Then without warning John Foster took Caroline by
the hand and she looked up at him with smile and
i nodded.