The Elbert County tribune., 1915-05-07

1t was here she had bought. on their
last trip, a curious old bead bag and
sampler dated 1894. AS she turned
from the window one of the old-maid
sisters, who had served her appeared
in the doorway with an eager smile OF
recognition.
couldn't pass without stopping. No.
thank you. I'll not come in. I'm not
buying anything this trip"
But the woman looked so wistfully
disappointed that Helen reluctantly en-
tered.
We've some very interesting
things that you didn't see before" she
began hopefully.
"Oh, I'm sure you have" glancing
around the dim little shop crowded
with dusty treasures.
And we're selling everything very
cheap now-we have to- simply. Our
brothers in the war"
Helen murmured her sympathy.
I'VE had post card from him three
weeks ago." her lips quivered. but not
word since"
The older sister came in now from
the back room. She looked pathet-
ically colorless and frail.
Sarah, this is an American lady
who bought some things of us last
year"
She smiled vaguely. 1t was plain
she did not remember.
"Oh, how lovely" exclaimed Helen,
as the other sister now took from n
chest an exquisitely embroidered white
crepe shawl with long knotted silk
fringe.
Brother bought this down in Devon
shire just few months before he
left" stroking the fringe with thin,
blue-veined hand. Its marked seven
pounds, but we'll take five for it now
that's just what he paid"
I'D love to have it," Helen admit
ted, but l couldn't think of it now.
It's costing us so much to live over
here-the hotels and restaurants have
all put up their prices,"
"Ah, yes, food is high" the older
sister sighed, but everything else is
cheap. Look at us-well sell our
goods for almost nothing-and no
one will buy. Last week sister sold
a piece of tapestry that cost us twelve
we shall do, l don't know don't
know"
Then. as though fearing she had
said too much, she went back into the
rear room.
Sisters not WELL" apologized the
other. "She's grieved so over brother
that she's not the same" Then taking
up the shawl and holding it SO the
long fringe fell together in a rich mass
she asked uncertainty. Don't you
think it's worth four pounds to you
even now?"
Then three" desperately.
Helen hesitated. She was really dis
tressed. I'm sorry, but told you
when | came in couldn't buy"
II know you did, and we-weve al
ways been a one-price shop" proudly,
'but now" her voice broke.
ITS hard-it's very hard" muir
INJURED Helen. But the war can't last
forever-it must end SOON"
But if brother never" she bit
her lip; she could not put into words
the possibility of his never coming
back. "Oh, you don't know-he was
such a good brother! And he was the
best judge of tapestries in London y
proudly. "They never had a sale at
Christie's that he wasn't called in. We
had an established business here-but
now"
She took up the shawl again and
frarYIonclx, cfralad tho ri
You can have it for two pounds" "
in a low voice. You could sell it to
any dealer in America for three times
that much"
Two pounds Helen caught her
breath Three pounds had been abb
surdly cheap. but two pounds for that
shawl. 1t would make the most won
derful evening wrap. She hesitated.
Then the bargain instinct that is in
every woman succumbed TO this final
offer.
Very well, I'll take it"
| But as she counted out the money
she was vaguely troubled. The thought
of these women being forced to such
a sacrifice was disquieting. Yet if she
did not take advantage of it someone
else would. She had not asked them
to take SO little-the sale had been
pressed upon her.
When Helen left the shop. she saw
by clock in chemists window that
it was a quarter after six. Warren
always came home about seven. She
must get back. to the hotel before then.
Two pounds for that shawl Her
impatient fingers tore slit in the
paper through which cleaned the
heavy silk fringe.
| She hurried on to the top of Char
| ing Cross road, the nearest bus line,
| hut as many of the London huses had