The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-09-10
CHAPTER vi.

1t was half past eleven when she
stepped into the first agency on her
list, and business was in full tide.
While she stood shrinking by the
door the eyes of a dozen women fas-
tened upon her, each with keen
scrutiny. The sensitive color stole in
to her delicate cheeks. AS the pro-
prietress of the Office begar to cues
ton her, she felt her courage failing.
You wish a position?" The woman
had nose like hawk, and eyes that
held no sympathy. What do you
want? General housework?"
Il should like a 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 a wait
ress, but l 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.
L am sorry, but l cannot give you
any. / have lived only in one house,
where l had entire charge of the table
and dining room, and that home was
broken up when the people went
abroad three years ago. could show
you letters written by the mistress of
that home if l had my trunk here, but
1T is in another city, and I do not
know when / shall be able to send for
it."
No references!" screamed the
hawk, then raising her voice, although
it was utterly unnecessary: Ladies.
here is girl who has no references.
Do any of you want to venture?" The
contemptuous laugh that followed had
the effect of a warning to every wom-
an in the room. And this girl scorns
general .housework, and presumes to
dictate for a place as waitress" went
on the hawk.
/ want waitress badly" said a
troubled woman in a subdued whisper,
but l really wouldn't dare take a girl
without references. She might be a
thief, you know, and then-really, she
doesn't look as if she was used 20
houses like rnino must hove n roat
stylish-looking girl. No self-respecting
waitress nowadays would go out in the
street dressed like that"
All the eyes in the room seemed bor-
ing through the poor girl as she stood
trembling, Inundated, her cheeks burn
ing. while horrifed 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 if in
the meantime you can think of any
body who'll give US a reference, We'll
look it 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 I'M
pleasant voice. She went out of the
office. and mediately-surrept itious-
1.-TWO women hurried after her.
One was flabby, large and over
dressed, with pasty complexion and
eyes like a fish, in which was a lack
of all moral sense. She hurried aftel
the girl and took her by the shoulder
just as she reached the top of the
stairs that led down into the street.
The other was a small, timid won
an, with anxiety and indecision writer
all over her, and a last years stree
suit with the sleeves remodeled. Wher
J she saw who had stopped the girl. she
| fingered behind in the hall and pre-
tended there was something wrong
with the braid on her skirt. While she
/ fingered she listened.
Wait a minute, MISS" said the
/ f1ashy woman. You needn't feel. bad
about having references. Everybody
isn't so particular. You come with
me, and I'll put you in the way of earn
ing more than you can ever get as q
waitress. You weren't cut out for work
anyway, with that face and voice. I've
! been watching you. You were meant
for a lady. You need to be dressed
up, and you'll be real pretty girl"
AS she talked, she had come nearer
and now she leaned over and whis
pered so that the timid woman. who
was beginning dimly to perceive what
manner of creature this other woman
was, could not hear.
But the girl stepped back with sud
den energy and flashed eyes. shaking
off the beringed hand that had grasped
her shoulder
Don't you dare to speak to met
she said in loud, clear voice. Don't
you dare to touch me! You are a
wicked woman! If you touch me
again, will go in there and tell all
those women how you have insulted
met"