The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-04-13
A WOMAA'S REASON
BY HAROLD CARTER.

pTUpOsltlOu tudJ lOm NdiCoc Hau P"s
to her on her way down to Cannons
In the subway.
She had two dozen girls under her.
She was considered an eminently re-
spectacle young woman. She had
been in Cannon's department store for
nine years.
She had known Tom varcoe for two
years. He had position at $S5 in the
buyers department, and looked for
ward with confidence to getting the
assistant buyers position, soon to be
vacant, at fifty. His wife was in the
asylum, an almost hopeless imbecile.
And Tom, who was jeans best friend,
whose loyalty to her had never fall
.ered, had asked her to accept his
protection through life without the
impossible ceremony.
You see, Jean, dear" he had said
he night before, 1T is the law of the
state that is to blame. You will be
Just the same as my wife to me for
ever. And I'll take you to Europe
when | get the position, and we can
i've elegantly. You know me we'll
enough to trust me. JEAN
She had promised to think it over
and give him his answer later.
Tom was, indeed, the sort of man
If whom any woman might be proud
Not all men in Cannon's were like
hat. There was Dodsleigh, for in
stance, the floorwalker of the perfum-
cry department, whom Jean had
warned away often enough when she
saw him ogling some of her newcom-
srs. Dodsleigh was a married man,
md the type known as a good fell
ow." He was the type that would ap-
peal, In its cheap fiashiness, to a girl
ike little Maggie Pryce, for instance.
Maggie had been in the department
store four weeks, and her little empty
head was swimming with romance.
Her knowledge of life was at the zero
point.
1t was only the day before that Jean
nad seen Maggie talking eagerly to
Dodsleigh during her luncheon time.
She had taken the opportunity to
speak few words to her seriously
afterward.
II guess | know what I'm about an.
,wered Maggie pertly, with toss OF
he head
she passed the day at the store as
though in a dream. When closing
time arrived she had still failed to
come to any conclusion. Sne loved
Tom. All her impulses were to go to
him. And yet
She walked homeward, considering
why not?' she asked herself def
antly.
And suddenly she saw. reflected In
mirror at the entrance to one Of the
aashier. but less fashionable restau
rants, the faces Of Dodsleigh and little
Maggie Pryce.
The girls face was flushed, there
was wine upon the table, and Maggie
was leaning with both elbows on the
able and listening to Dodsleigh's
words.
Suddenly she walked straight into
he restaurant and up to the little ta
Die sat which they sat. She hardly
knew that she was going there; some
power seemed to have taken posses
sion of her and to be leading her
against her will.
She saw Maggie start violently, and
Dodsleigh look up with an ugly sneer.
"Sit down. Miss Rae. The more the
nerrier, you know" he said with a
grin.
Maggie, I want you to come with
me-" said Jean.
Jealous. eh, Miss Rae?" asked Dods-
leigh. Say! Some day I'll take you
out, if you're real nice to me, maybe.
Maggie. do you know that this
nan has wife and children?" asked
lean.
Maggie was looking up at her unde
,idedly. Her weak little will was cas-
ly overcome; just now she was more
in terror at having been discovered
than at anything else.
Come, Maggie, dear, said Lean.
She took the girl by the arm. Mag
gle began crying convulsively.
See herel-" began Dodsleigh.
"Tll see you tomorrow, Mr.. Dods
leigh," answered Jean. Maggie
iear!"
She led her through the restaurant
among the staring faces. Dodsleigh
followed them, and then, at the en-
trance. seeing that he had failed
turned away with a curse.
Jean called taxicab and put Mag
gle inside. She followed. I'm goinl
to take you home, dear" she said
And that man won't trouble yo'
again, after I've spoken to Mr.. Can
non. | don't think he'll show up a
the store any more"
Maggie was crying when the cal
reached her door. "Oh, Miss Jean.
she sobbed, Il know why you did thi
for me. But amt worth it. You see
If I'd ever had real home. If I'd ha'
you to take care Of me-"
You're going to in future, Maggie,
answered Jean, kissing her goodnight
| "Rut whv did van do this for me