The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-01-14
Mr.. EB. DORIS CLERK
BY JOHN TRENT.

Mr.. EbeneZer DOrr looked over tn
top of his eyeglasses at the demur
little form on the other side of tn
counter.
"Er-hem, what can do for you
miss?' he inquired
beautiful blush waved acros.
Lucle Moore's pale face, and her fin
gers frightened on her thin pocketbook
i am looking for work." she sale
resolutely Il thought perhaps you
would like some help in the store"
Mr.. Dorr looked rather helplessly up
and down the long rambling store.
whose assorted wares were disar.
ranged In manner which had been
handed down from his father who
also had kept the keystone dry goods
store.
Why-er-really, miss, I've never
nlred anyone to help. Business doesn't
warrant 1t. Sometimes at Christmas
my cousin Jemima Nettle comes in and
helps me out, but mostly-I-er-get
along somehow! I'm sorry" he added
regretfully as Lucies fingers tight.
ened desperately on the counter.
Yes, know, but you must have
some one when you're out of town."
she insisted What do you do them"
81 always close the store" he said
simply.
Lucie looked wistfully around at the
untidy shelves. I'D just love to get
in here and put things straight" she
murmured. II wouldn't ask very large
wages and you would sell heaps of
things-why, we could have bargain
days, really we could"
Ebenezer rubbed his neat gray head.
"Of course that would be very nice"
he said doubtfully Perhaps l better
think it over and you come in again
say tomorrow. Where do you live? |
thought maybe you were Mrs. Gilbert
Fenn's niece-you look like her"
Lucie shook her head II am
stranger here in the village-at least
| am sure no one remembers me, but
once when | was very l't'le girl |
came here and visited my great aunt,
Miss Rebecca Otis. She cen dead
a great many years, but when found
it necessary to leave home and go to
work | thought of this sleepy little
village and so | came here"
"I want to know" calculated Eben-
ezer rather dazedly. 81 used to know
Miss Otis-T used to run errands for
her when 7 was lad"
i've been living with my uncle,
keeping house for him ever since his
wife died" went on Lee. He was
married last week and his bride has
made it very plain that am no longer
welcome there-so packed my trunks
and came here" Her voice dropped
suddenly and she leaned heavily
against the counter.
Hum" muttered Ebenezer, rubbing
his glasses violently and replacing
them on his straight nose. II couldn't
afford to pay very much-not more
than four dollars a week and that
wouldn't keep body and soul together
in these hard times"
Lucie smiled eagerly Il could get
along" she said confidently. "Old Mrs.
Room on tho corner has offered to take
me to board for three dollars week
and can get along nicely. I've got
plenty of clothes and a tiny bit of
money saved for a rainy day. oh, |
do hope you're going to say yes!
Ebenezer smiled kindly. do you
want to begin tomorrow morning" he
asked
Thank you, will be here when
ever you say"
Eight o'clock. then-and forgot to
ask you your name" he added little
diffidently.
Lucie Moore" she said simply,
Thank you very much, Mr.. Dorr.
Good afternoon. ~
Good afternoon" said Ebenezer In
a dazed tone.
When he was alone he stared help
lessly up and down the store and then
made a mad rush toward the door as
II to recall his new clerk, but Lucies
feet were bearing her rapidly to the