The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-02
BY PHILIP kEAN.
Copyright, 1el. by the Associated Lit

erary press.)
For hours the girl had walked
through the city streets. hot. dusty.
tired, hungry. She sought work. but
could not find 1t.
Everywhere she was turned away.
They wanted only those who had held
similar positions, and Virginia, fresh
from the country, could claim no
knowledge which would be OF use to
her In town,
1t seemed to her that the tail build
ings on each side of theSstreet frown-
ed ominously- AS evening came on
she grew afraid. She hated TO go back
to the tall tenement where she had
paid a weeks rent for room. Dinner
was out Of the question, and she had
had no breakfast or lunch.
1t was with gasp of relief there
fore that she spoke to "a boy who stoo&
on the corner under a street lamp,
why, Billy Locke she said. is it
really you?"
1T sure IS" he said heartily and
grasped her hands. But what on
earth are you doing in town. Virginia -
She told him her little story The
aunt with whom she had lived had
died. and Virginia was unwilling to be
a burden in the homes OF outsiders.
"But / can't find work. Billy" she
said.
He was only twenty hut4he had
mans discernment OF woman
need of protection.
You oughtnt to he running around
these streets alone" he said graveiy.
You'd better let me take you back
to your kbarding- house right now"
1T Is not q boarding house" she in
formed him. II Just have room there
and take my meals out
Have you had your dinner 90 he de-
manded.
hs.o she. flushed. '.ssNo--pe"'s she. stanuer-
ed.
you come right In and have some
thing to eat" he commanded.
She would let Billy order nothing for
her but glass of milk and some crusty
rolls He urged upon ner more elab-
crate feast. but her independence made
1t impossible for her to accept too much
of the boy who had been only casual
acquaintance In her horne town
What are you doing?" she asked
him. He had q fairly good position in
the packing department of big store.
Some day. | want to go back home
and have d store of my own" he said.
II don't care much about living in the
city"
ut would be lovely here II only
had money" Virginia said. but Billy
shook his head.
1T amt any place for people like US.
We are better off in small places"
| Virginia did not dare tell him how
| homesick she had been.
Il have Just got to find work" she
said desperately. Then her eyes bright
| ened. II believe you have brought me
luck" she exclaimed.
"HowT. Billy demanded.
She pointed to sign on the wall,
Waitress wanted"
Billy, remembering her refined horne
surroundings. expostulated, "Oh, YOU
wouldn't take a position here, would
you?"
But she did take 1t. There was a
head waiter. a young man OF some
what sporty appearance. who passed
her on, when she questioned him. to the
woman at the desk. Arrangements
were made for Virginia TO come the
next morning. so Billy took her home
promising ta sea har sas0Fsaasog
Every day after that he sat at the
table where she served, and every
day he begged her to let him write
to his people and make arrangements
for her to go home. 1T makes me
sick to see you working here" he
said.
1T needn't" she told him. I'VE
get good things to eat, and have
comfortable room. and tomorrow
am going to buy myself new dress
andsa hat
She hoped when she told him that,
that he would ask her to gU out with
him to the theatre or to some OF the
restaurants where some of the other
girls went
But he did not do anything so daz-
cling He blushed and whispered,
'Will you walk In the park with me
on Sunday"
She consented, wondering II he
were stingy. He surely made as
much money as the head-waiter who
invited her to go with him on Satur-
day night to see play at a near
by theatre.
This was the kind of invitation she
craved, and she accepted gladly.
On their way to the theatre they
passed Billy Locke. He bowed, and
Virginia saw the establishment In his
eyes Serves him right for not TAX
Ing me himxslf" was her thought a.