The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1911-06-29

IL $
magazine lay open In her lap, but
more often it had slipped unheed-
ed to the floor. Soreness first I'M
preston of her was that she was
the loyeliest woman she had ever
seen; her next that she was the
Weariest looking.
Serene was very young. 1t was
hot in the central telephone office
where she worked and the hours
were long and the pay meager.
Serene had worked there since she
left school. She lived with an old
aunt who did dress-making and
had always acted the part OF a
mother to her.
One Sunday afternoon when
Serene went by she had Dave with
her. Dave had been devoted to
Serene all through her school days
and since. He was a big, gentle
fellow, all ambition and vim and
sound purpose, who meant when
he had learned his trade to make
d little home for Serene. Serene
suspected this intention, though
he had not mentioned it to her
yet.
Before another Sunday arrived
a new girl came into the office.
She was a snowy, handsome girl,
who always had an answer or a
pert little laugh ready.
Serene shrank from association
with her and the girl perceived it.
Consequently when Dave came
that Saturday afternoon to wait
for Serene and to accompany her
home the new girl tried to dis
comft Serene by flirting with
him. She asked him to read the
while she plugged" at
her switchboard, and Dave, I'M
conscious of any wrongdoing,
complied. Serene was angry and
went home alone as fast as her
feet would carry her, a very much
disturbed little girl. Next day
when Dave called her up she gave
him over the phone a spirited
and hung up the receiver.
When he came to call she would
not see him.
She was so miserable that OF
a certain afternoon when RAIN
menaced she walked to work
without her umbrella. There was
none at the office she could Dor
row, so she had to walk back
through the drizzle, which sud-
became a d%ownpour, just as
she reached the yeranda lady'S
She had started to run In
dismay at getting drenched, when
voice called coolly, command
"Come here, l want to see
The veranda lady had come to
life and had spoken. Serene ran
with all her might to the proffer-
ed shelter and sank into a chair.
They sat a moment watching
the rain. -
81 have seen you go by every
day since I have been here" said
the veranda lady in her slow,
sweet, tired way. "I'm glad this
rain came so that we could get
acquainted. You work, don't
you
Serene told her how and where
she worked. And she told a great
deal more than her words con-
veyed, for the lady was reading
The meaning of her wan little face
and miserable eyes,.
"I'm not happy" blurted out
Serene. "I'm-" And then she
5old the veranda lady the whole
story.
'Oh, my dearI" said the older
woman. And She put up her
hand and brushed back her
nair. There was gray in her
nair, Serene saw. And on her fin
ger was a great red stone like a
Dit of fire engagement ring. "Oh,
ny dear! You were jealous
Jealous! Of that dear boy! You
see, | can tell he is a dear boy.
And you are a dear little girl.
But you II wreck your life if
you arer careful. It's very
lucky for you that you can still
make up. And when you have
made up stay So"
Splashing through the rain,
alden with raincoat and umbrella,
came a tall young figure. 1t was
Dave and he was coming straight
sor her house, Serene knew, look
ng for her. She caught her
breath.
why, there he is now!'' said