The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-01-02

! you Can uO IL NOW!
Shouldn't wonder If I could" as
scented Ebenezer with unexpected en-
! thuslasm. Don't be surprised at any.
thing you hear Calista."
Il won't-short of you're getting
married" retorted the spinster archly.
Seems to me, Eb," she added, IF you
was going to hire help you might have
picked out home talent. There's plenty
in Keystone would like this job"
Eyes, l reckon there are, but there's
mighty few that are willing to work to
hold 1t down." retorted Ebenezer grim
ly. There wasn't any job till this lady
came and asked for one and / prom
ised to give her trial"
Calista Steele shifted scornfully. II
shan't be surprised at anything hear,
Ebenezer-not even the news that
you've married designing female"
''Impossible!" cried Ebenezer, but
the door had closed on Calista.
After the first morning EbeneZer
DORIS trade increased; people came
In to buy a spool of thread merely to
note what an astonishing change had
taken place in the store during the
past twelve hours
Lucie Moore worked like bee, dig
| ging out old boxes Of forgotten stock
and arranging them tastefully in the
windows or on the central counters OF
the store. 1t was wonderful the things
that Lucie could dispose of at alluring
bargain prices.
Ebenezer Dorr opened separate &C
count for the credit of sales from this
forgotten and apparently worthless
stock that cluttered his shelves and
his storeroom.
One day it was sale of pea green
hosiery that some INSCRIPTIONS sales
man had unloaded upon him; they
went like hot cakes at seven cents a
pair and for months thereafter the
ladies of Keystone flashed around in
green stockings as they accomplished
the prosaic daily tasks.
Another time it was laces, again 1t
was mems neckties and shirts. until
there came a day when all the surplus
stock was sold out and the freshly
painted white shelves we're neatly ar.
ranged with fresh stock carefully Sc
lected by Lucie Moore herself. And
the Encouragement of the store was
much appreciated by the shoppers of
the village. Heretofore when one
wanted buttons she searched until she
found the heap Of button boxes where
Mr.. Dorr had made his last sale and,
having conveyed them to a fresh
place, the customer would make a
choice, and the next button hunter
would find the buttons in fresh loca-
ton.
Now, all was changed When one
wanted buttons she went to the but
ton stock" as Lucie called it crisply;
and so on with other goods. Trade in
creased and Ebenezer found himself
paying a goodly slice off the mortgage
that numbered the store building. He
also doubled Lucie Moore's wages.
One day there entered the store a
very prosperous looking couple, mid
dle-aged man and young woman,
rather showily dressed. Ebenezer
Dorr was standing near the door and
they addressed him at once.
Il want to see Miss Lucie Moore"
said the man pompously.
Miss Moore!" Ebenezer slightly
raised his voice and then drew away
as Lucie came down the store, her
mild brown eyes wide with amaze.
ment.
Uncle Philemon" she exclaimed;
"and how do you do, Mrs. Beebe?" she
inquired politely.
See here, Lucie,' said Mr.. Beebe
hurriedly, I've had the greatest hunt
for you, and only by the merest
chance did | get clue that you were
here working in little village store!
NoY, this won't do at all Emma here
has thought matters over and there's
home with us as long as you like!"
He smiled kindly at Lucie's sensitive
face with the color coming and going
That's very kind of you, uncle"
said Lucie, slowly, land thank you
both, but am very happy-and very
independent here. / think l better re-
main"
But suppose something happens to
your position-the store may fail-you
might be Sick urged Mr.. Beebe
Excuse me moment, please" said
Lucie, and she hurried to Ebenezer
DORIS desk, where his sleek head was
bent over his books just as if he had
not heard every word of the CONVEX
sation near the door,
Mr.. Dorr, tell me what to do"
pleaded Lucie. my uncle and his wife
have asked me to return to them and
make my home there, but my life is
very pleasant and very Independent
right here. They suggest that the
store may go out of business and L"
Ebenezer laid his lean hand over
Lucies small fingers. I'll tell you
what to do, Lucie," he said in a new
voice with a deep note in 1t that
stirred Lucie through and through.
Just marry me and stay right here
you needn't work in the store, and
you can make a home for me in my
lonely house. l can't let you go-I
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