The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-25
CHAPTER VI.

80 ~SHs~Ss 49, OSA04SAV0 NOAOA oCOl0 LIZ
to her delicate cheeks. As the pro-
prietress Of the Office began to ques-
ton her, she felt her courage failing.
you wish position?" The woman
had a nose like hawk, and eyes that
held no sympathy. what do you
want? General housework?"
Il should like position as wait.
ress." Her voice was low and sounded
frightened to herself.
The hawk nose went up contemptu.
ously.
Better take general homework
There are too many mattresses Al.
ready"
Il understand the work of q wait,
ress, but ! never have done general
housework." she answered with the
voice Of gentlewoman, which some
how angered the hawk, who had
trained herself to get the advantage
over people and keep it or else know
the reason why.
Very we'll, do as you please, OF
course, but you bite your own nose OF.
Let me see your references"
The girl was ready for this.
Il am sorry, but l cannot give you
any. have lived only in one house,
where had entire charge Of the table
and dining room, and that home was
broken up when the people went
/, abroad three years ago. l could show
you letters written by the mistress Of
that home If l had my trunk here, but
1t Is in another city, and l do not
know when l shall be able to send for
it."
mo references!" screamed the
hawk, then raising her voice, although
1t was utterly unnecessary: Ladies,
here Is a girl who has no references.
Do any of you want to venture?" The
contemptuous laugh that followed had
the effect of warning to every WON.
an In the room. And this girl scorns
general Homework, and presumes to
dictate for place as waitress" went
on the hawk.
Il want waitress badly" said q
troubled woman in q subdued whisper,
but ! really wouldn't dare take a girl
without references. She might be q
thief, you know, and then-really, she
doesn't look as II she was used to
houses like mine. must have q neat,
stylish.looktng girl. No self-respectins
waitress nowadays would go out in the
street dressed like that,
All the eyes In the room seemed Dor
Ing through the poor girl as she stood
trembling. Inundated, her cheeks burn
Ing. while Mortified tears demanded
to be let up into her eyes. She held
her dainty head proudly, and turned
away with dignity.
However, If you care to try" called
out the hawk, you can register at the
desk and leave two dollars, and il in
the meantime you can think of any
body who'll give US reference. well
look 1t up. But we never guarantee
girls without references"
The tears were too near the sur
face now for her even to acknowledge
this information flung at her in an un
pleasant voice. She went out Of thu
Office, and Neutrality-suspicious.
1.-TWO women hurried after her.
One was flabby, large and over
dressed, with a pasty complexion and
eyes like q fish, in which was q lacl
of all moral sense. She hurried afte
the girl and took her by the shoulde
Just as she reached the top Of tn
stairs that led down into the street.
The other was small. timid won
an, with anxiety and indecision writer
all over her, and last years stree
suit with the sleeves remodeled. Whel
she saw who had stopped the girl, sh
fingered behind in the hall and pre-
tended there was something wron
with the braid on her skirt. While sh
fingered she listened.
wait a minute, miss" said tn
llashy woman. "You needn't feel ba
about having references. Everybod
isn't SO particular. You come wit
me, and I'll put you in the way Of carr
ing more than you can ever get as
waitress. You weren't cut out for worl
anyway, with that face and voice. "
been watching you. You were mean
for q lady. You need to be dresse
up. and you'll b. real pretty girl"
As she talked, she had come nearer
and now che leaned over and whit
! pered 20 that the timid woman, VIII
was beginning dimly to perceive wha
) manner Of creature this other woma
was, could not hear.
But the girl stepped back with sud
den energy and flashed eyes, shakin
OF the beringed hand that had graspe
her shoulder.
Don't you dare to speak to me-!
she said in a loud, clear voice. Don
you dare to touch me! You are
wicked woman! II you touch m
again, I will 90 in there and tell a
those women how you have insulte
mel"
"Oh, we'll, II you're saint, starve!
Kissed the woman.
n should rather starve ten thousan
times than take help from you," sal
he girl, and her clear, Mortified eye
scanned to burn into the woman's on
taqA. Che. TUNED and slid away, ~