Putnam patriot., 1913-09-26

of all moral senee. She hurried after 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 wom- an, with anxiety and indecision written all over her, and last years street suit with the sleeves remodeled. When 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 ffashy woman. You needn't feel bad about having references. Every body 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 waitress. You weren't cut out for work, anyway, with that face and voice. Pye 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 graspedi her shoulder.
 Don't you dare to speak to mel" she said in a loud, clear voice. Don't you dare to touch mel You are wicked woman! If you touch me again. I will go in there and tell all those women how you have insulted mel"
 oh. we'll. if you're a saint. starye!" hissed the woman.
 T should rather starve ten thousand times than take help from you" said the girl, and her clear, mortified eyes seemed to burn into the womans evil face She turned and slid away, like the willy old serpent that she was.
 Down the stairs like lightning sped the girl, her head up in pride and horror. her eyes still flashing. And down the stairs after her sped the lit tie, anxious woman. panting and breathless, determined to keep her In sight till she could decide whether it was safe to take girl without char acter-yet who had just shown bit of her character unaware.
 Two blocks from the employment of- Ice the girl paused. to realize that she was walking blindly. without any des- tination. She was trembling so with terror that she was not sure whether she had the courage to enter another office. and long vista of undreamed- of fears arose in her imagination.
 The little woman paused, too. eye ing the girl cautiously. then began in an eager voice:
 I've been following sou"
 The girl started neryously. . cold chill of fear coming over her. Was this a woman detective?
 q heard what that awful woman said to you, and saw how you acted. You must be 8 good girl. or you wouldn't have talked to her that way. I suppose I'm doing a dangerous thing. but l cant help it. I believe you're all right, and I'm going to try you. if you'll take general housework. l need somebody right away. for Pm going to have a dinner party tomorrow night, and my girl left me this morn ing"
 The kind tone in the midst of her troubles brought tears to the girls eyes.
 "Oh. thank you!" she said as she brushed the tears away. I'm stranger here, and I have never be- fore been among strangers this way. I'd like to come and work for you, but l couldn't do general housework, I'm sure I never did it, and 1 wouldn't know how.
 q could help you with your dinner party" she went on. That is, know all about setting the tables and arrang- inc tha nowars and faVOrS | cOuld