The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-01-02

8IANOkHd ThEhh In hEh AOfEn AhhS-
tation. George Hine was well to do
w1dower, and be had approached as
near to an admifer of Luetta as any
!: one
Yes, sir; gave me my price. too. and
says you can keep your job. told
him that be couldn't keep store in
Traskville without you to keep things
straight. and be said he guessed was
right
! THAT makes it nice for you. Lem, =
seid Luetta. with smile, IT suppose
/ you will soon be going out to New
Mexico"
"Just as soon as can take in
ventory and turn the place over to
him. Luetta, we've got to take in
ventory of all the stock and fixtures
and give him a list II you want any
help dare say | can end some girls
to help you out"
But Luetta wouldn't accept any help.
She had been in the store so long 1t
was a second home to her. and she
felt on familiar terms with everything
within its shabby interior. and she de-
termined that no other hands save her
own should touch thing
! So LENS handsome head was bent
above his books all day. and Luetta's
pale gold hair shone against the dark
shelves as she painstakingly took In
ventory of all the thousand and one
articles Of women's wear that cum
bered the shelves
There was never anything personal
in their relations To Lem Boskins Lu-
eta was always the grownup little girl
whom he had often dragged to school
on his sled and who later on proved
to be the best clerk he ever had. Lem
was ten years older than Luetta. and
he said he was a settled bachelor. He
was good looking, too. In big bluff
way. and the gray hair at his temples
only added to bis fine appearance.
Day after day passed, while Luetta
patiently waited on customers and
Lem pored over papers and ran around
the village. making distracted prepare
tons to go away.
One afternoon 1t rained. and he stay.
Cd indoors and offered to help Luetta.
who was sorting notions.
'I'n write down the items and you
call 'em off," he suggested. I'D like
to get through this week. SOS | can
60"
"You needn't be In such hurry.
Lem" said Luetta quietly. you'll be
there good while after you get there. :"
$50 willP' laughed Lem. do you
know, Luetta, | never think how ii
will be after / get there All | can
seem to think about are the going ano
the excitement. l suppose it's because
I've never been away from home
much. It's a good thing / didn't de-
eide to go till after all my folks had
passed on. There isn't anybody to
Mind my going"
that's So" said Luetta, with unex-
pected crispness.
At noon Luetta went home to din
ner, and while Lem sat there alone
consulting his time tables in came
George Hine, who had bought the
store. He was a tall. thin, dark man
with Q scanty black beard worn in a
pcint
George Hine placed his umbrella
carefully in the stand near the door
and walked down the store to the back
part where Lem was sitting.
Take a chair" said Lem, tossing
his time tables aside. Come to have
q look aroundY'
Eyes. Have you got the inventory
readyf"
mo. We're working on It now. Lu-
eta wouldn't have any help. She
made up her mind she would do it all
herself 1t takes longer. but she knows
what she's about"
"Luetta's pretty good clerk" OBJ
served George Hine.
There amt a better one In the
world"
II suppose 1t would be hard work to
hnd anybody to take her place." went
on George Hine. more as II be was
speaking to himself
"You amt thinking Of turning Lu-
eta Wilson of. George?" LENS eyes
flashed strangely.
"What If ann" asked the other
laxily.
Nothing. only I'll call the deal OF.
Luetta's worked in this store too many
years to be turned of now. I'll keep
the store and let her run 1t for me
before I'll see her turned or" said
Lem hotly.
George Hine smiled tolerantly.
'sDon't get excited. Lem. You won't
be called upon to do anything as SEN
sational as all that. Just the same l
may discharge Luetta Wilson as soon
] take over the store"
"Qh, you VIII. viii your aneered