Evening star., 1915-09-17

drawing SIS . week in the once Of the
hardware frm up the street. "And Aunt
Marsh only pays me s5," mourned Jenny.
Customer Mrs Hess voice brought
mer, and she had not even heard the
door open. She Jagged over to the coun-
ter and leaned upon 1t In tired tolerance
Of the old country woman who was
fumbling at the ten-cent neckwear.
What's the price Of this collar. my
dear?" inquired the old woman.
IAN 10 cents" snapped Jenny.
Its kind of hard to choose muir
INJURED the old lady. as much to her
self as to Jenny, where there's SO many.
Well. I guess I won't take any. I'll go
over to Newton's and see what they got
there"
As the door closed Mrs. Hess rustled
up. Jenny was just reaching into the
tray for handful of chocolates.
You put that candy back ordered
Mrs. Hess. you're making yourself sick
eating it. And listen to me. You got
to be nicer to folks that come in here.
You lose me trade every day. You lost
that customer just now
"She couldn't make up her mind,
unused Jenny.
I wouldn't had her gone out that way
for nothing. She's peculiar, but she's got
money. And she's Dave Powers grand
mother" Jenny turned pale. and Mrs.
Hess eyed her enjoyaby. Shell go IN
to see him before she goes home. and
here, Jenny and Mrs Hess grew ter
ribly emphatic. you got to brace ur
right away straight or I'll send you home
I've put up with good deal from you
but when it comes to interfering with
my trade it's got to STOP thought
when l sent for you to come here ano
work in my store that you'd be rea
help. But you seem to think that al
you've got to do is to hang jewelry or
yourself, cover your face with powder
into the flour bin and stare out Of that
window in the hope Of seeing Dave Pow
er go by. I'll tell you right now Dave
Power'H never see you. He's too much
like his grandmother for that. Hes sot
sense. and he amt going to lose his wits
over girl that amt got as much sense
as he has. Yes. you can cry If you
want to. I'm telling you what's what
You either mend your ways or you &c
home"
Mrs. Hess went back to her desk and
Jenny sobbed with her head on the coun-
ter. Home! Why, she couldn't go home
her stepmother did not want her. she
would rather die than go home she
would want to die anyway If she lost
Dave Power And she had offended his
grandmother! Oh, what a wretched thing
life was, after all! She had thought
she was going to be so happy with Aunt
Marsh, so happy earning money ana oe-
ing Independent and learning TO be a
clever woman. And here she was moth
ing but a tawdry, cheap, heartsick niue
girl whose golden dreams had just under
gone a frightful explosion.
All the rest Of that day, all the ions
evening, all the night, during Whlcn
she slept but little, Jenny's mind was
in torment She rose resolved. She had
been wrong, now she would be right
She would earn Aunt Marsh's approval
"1 will! I will!' she said over and over
to herself.
She came downstairs with shadows un'
der her eyes. Mrs. Hess. reading the
morning paper beside the coffee pot
looked up in establishment. Jenny nae
on the blue serge blouse costume ir
which she had arrived at her aunt s
Her hair was simply knotted. Her Jew
elry, scent and powder were gone. She
looked wistful. sweet, good. as she was
Have some coffee, Jeanne?' asked
Mrs. Hess.
please, auntie. and-and. auntie. yor
needn't s bother to call aoa me s1enh 1sanne afte'
so 1t seems to me- Mrs. Hess replied
firmly. and apparently went on with heI
paper But over its edge she watched
the young face with its new lines Won
deringly.
ted the change in Jenny. You're going
all right" she told the girl then. III
you keep on like this couple Of months
longer I'll be raising your wages.
Jenny lifted her eyes. "Ill try hard
Aunt Marsh" she said.
Mrs Hess studied her thoughtfully
"You ever seen Dave Power now?" she
asked bluntly
Jenny's head dropped She tried to
reply and failed. Mrs. Hess glanced
over her at the window. Dave Power
was singing past on his way to the post
Office with a package. He looked neither
to right nor left. With sigh Mrs. Hess
turned and went back to rearrange some
tinware.
Mary Dix came into the store for a
pencil that day. She fingered moment
with Jenny. Jenny was beautifully
courteous to her. and after Mary had
gone out Mrs. Hess called: That's
right. Jenny. Treat 'em all alike
Was there anything that Aunt Marsh
did not see? After that Mary came in
often. and always Jenny had to wait
upon her. Each time was a fight for
Jenny, but she conquered herself and
was unfailingly sweet and gentle. One
day as they were bending over the coun-
ter looking at something. Jenny explain
ing and Mary admiring, Mary said:
What lovely hair you have. Jenny, all
curls. I wish mine was So"
A week later Mrs. Hess threw Jenny
a note from the morning mail For
you, Jenny Looks like an invitation"
1T is: cried Jenny, opening 1t. Its
We'll there!" said Mrs. Hess. smil-
girl, with nice family and home. I'm