The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-06-06
THEDAILY
SHORT STORY II
Mr.. Taylor Explains.
BY LOUISE OLIVER.
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)


Newspaper Syndicate.)
The jewelry department OF the big
store was Just inside one OF the main
entrances. This kingdom was sub
divided into special realms and over
each principally resigned princess
In black dress. white collar and cuffs.
Never was royalty. more becomingly
adorned for Max Bluming, floor man.
ager, knew what he was doing when
he picked the prettiest girls. In the
store for this point OF vantage, and
beauty always looks well In plain
dress.
May Marshall. a tall blonde, had
charge Of the Jet goods. Here also did
Mr. Bluming show judgment, and the
silver plate was presided over by two
pretty little brunettes. who made the
plates ard baking dishes appear all
the more massive and shining beside
their dark. piquant beauty. Then
and here the manager had undeniably
shown his ability as an artist-there
was tho counter for displaying jewels,
from twenty-five cent bead strings to
two-caret. frst.water diamonds, and
right behind the racks OF pearls and
trays Of hrinestones stood Mary Web
ster, as wholesome, sweet and fresh
as May morning.
Mary was-well, she was just Mary.
You looked her and love her. Her
eyes were, like the country skies shed
left. gray or blue according to her
mood, and her skin scorned the cos.
metics OF the drug department beyond.
And you wanted her to try all the vari.
colored jewels to see how they would
look on her. One invariably thought
OF pearlS-not that her beauty needed
softening. but there was something In
her akin to the soft, rich lustre Of the
deep sea gems.
Good morning. Miss Webster!
Somehow he had learned her name.
although Mary had no idea of his.
She nodded brightly. however, as she
set hatpin holder over a freshly.
busted spot and passed the cloth
briskly over the top Of the glass case.
The man passed up the aisle and dis
appeared. Evidently he had some.
thing to do with the store, but he was
not salesman, for his hours were
different from the others. Mary, still
smiling. was suddenly unpleasantly
aware that Mr.. Bluming was at the
end Of the aisle and that he was watch.
ing her. She flushed and hastily turn.
ed her back.
1t seems to me, she said Indignantly,
that can't breathe any more without
that man seeing 1t. He's always look.
Ing at me-! She shivered involuntarily.
One thing sure, II he stays around here
talking like he did yesterday and in.
viting mo to dinner ! am going to ask
to be changed upstairs. Very good
looking that young man was and he
has nice eyes and teeth. Sort of makes
you think he's always having little
joke Of his own. She smiled at the
memory. but was suddenly sobered by
the appearance Of the floor manager
Just across the, counter. His own
smile faded as quickly as hers when
he noticed the quick change OF her ex.
preston. but as quickly reappeared.
Good morning, Miss Mary, did your
mirror tell you how pretty you look
today? There's little curl resting
ever SO lightly on your cheek that I
would like to kiss. He leaned familiar.
~ over the counter and fixed his eyes
immovably on her face,
Mary kept busily at her busting And
there's man not mile away would
like to hit. and I would IL my bread
and butter didn't depend on 1t, said
Mary under her breath. Aloud,
where shall put these new brooches,
Mr.. Bluming? Would you suggest
background Of blue velvet in the case?
But he mistook the flush of annoy.
ance for one Of pleasure and, disre-
gardins words. went on: Blush qg is
a lost art, Miss Mary. It's very be ;om.
ing to you. By the way, aren't you
sorry you turned down my invitation
last night? But there's always anoth.
er day, and I'm not the kind that takes
offense easily. How about tonight
live another engagement.
He regarded her steadily. don't
believe you know another soul in this
town, he said slowly. deliberately.
You haven't another engagement.
His insolence was maddening.