The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-02-18
Married Life
the. Third Year
BY MABEL HERBERT uRNER.

BY MABEL HERBERT uRNER.
Can direct you, madam"
Helen had been in the shop only a
few moments, but already four suave
floor walkers had accosted her with
this polite but insistent question.
'No-thank you," she had murmur-
ed, in some confusion.
Warren had told her that she could
not look around" in the London
shops; that when you entered an En-
glish store you were expected to buy,
and If you did not buy you were made
to feel uncomfortable.
And now Helen found that this was
true. The cheerful showing of goods,
which is the policy of every American
merchant, seemed unknown over here.
She had not asked to be shown, nor
even priced any article. so she might
feel she was under no obligation to
buy.
Yet she could not even walk
through the stores and glance about
without being stopped at every few
steps by frock-coated f1oor-walker
with his persistent, Can direct you,
madam"
That seemed the mission of these
floorwalkers-to acost every one
they saw strolling through with no def
mite purchasing intent in their gaze.
While the only question was, Can
direct you. madam" the implication
was plainly: These goods are here
to be purchased: we hope you have
come for that purpose"
But Helen wanted to look about
to get a general idea of the shops be-
fare she made her purchases. She
had only a small sum to spend, and
out OF that she must buy souvenirs
and presents for all of Warren's people
and her own.
SoMETHtNG DIFFERENT.
While of course these presents
must be inexpensive, she had hoped
b get them distinctly English, some
thing they could not get at home.
But bow could she do this, if she was
not allowed to look about, If she was
expected to begin to buy the minuate
she entered a store.
She had paused a minute to glance
at some chiffon scarfs, which were
displayed at the veil counter. One of
them In black would be nice for War
ren's mother, she thought. But she
was afraid to go nearer to examine
them, for the saleslady had already
noticed her hesitation. and she was
waiting for here to come close enough
to make her the victim of sale.
But such hesitation was not to be
allowed, for a new foor-walker leaned
over her from the rear.
DO you wish to be served. madam"
Then, with a wave towards the wait
ing clerks, Madame wishes to see
some scarfs."
This is very smart, ma'am." hold
ing up a pale pink one I'VE have
them in all colors. Very good value,
ma'am for ten and eleven three far
things"
Ten and eleven three farthings!"
Helen was eternally trying to reduce
that to dollars and cents. Eight shil-
lings was two dollars. Why, it was
almost three! And she had seen prac-
tically the same thing in New York
for S1.9S.
'Perhaps ma'am, you would like a
white one better? You can wear white
with everything Shall | send you
one Of these" taking out her check
book with the air Of a sale completed
With a hurried, No, no, it isn't
quite what | want, Helen tried to
break away But the determined
saleslady held her with 1--WE have
many others, let me show madam
come other styles. Now, this is quite
smart"
HARD TO LEAVE. =. >. :. -.
Helen knew that the more goods
she was shown the more criminal
would be the affront if she did not
buy But she COULD not get away
At last, in desperation, she bought
the cheapest scarf they had. 1t was
narrow and rather flimsey one, fol
three and six-87 cents.
II would do for Della, although she
had intended taking her pair o.
gloves.
After that Helen was afraid to hes
itate before any counter Still SHE
was met every few minutes by the in
evitable fioor-walker with his inevi
table query.
Her answer, mo, thank you" wal
always received with look Of COLI
dsapproval. Plainly she was an Am
erican and plainly unfamiliar witt
their stores-then why did she no
want to be directed? Why was sh'
in the shop if not to make purchases
Why was she strolling about in thi
aimless way! These were tn
thoughts OF the hoor-walker.
Finally she hit upon a plan o
walking swiftly with an air Of inten
determination, as though MAXIM
straight for some particular counter
This was effective, and she was no
molested. bat it gave her little chanc
for observation
Then she evolved a still better plan
She noticed that many Of the Englisl
women were carrying parcels. Thi
was, at least an evidence of good In
tentions. Perhaps if she had a hal
dozen small parcels she might be al
lowed to remain undisturbed.
Hurriedly she made her way t
the toilet counter and bought fev
staple things that she always neede'
and which required little selection
talcum powder. bath powder, tootl
brush, etc She bought them one a
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