Bogalusa enterprise. [volume] (Bogalusa, La.) 1914-1918, 1916-09-14

street, one Of the Oldest quarters OF
London. Helen paused before the
dusty window with its alluring assert
ment Of old prints, antique tapestries
and yellowed laces.
1t was here she had bought, on their
last trip, curious old bead bag and
sampler dated 1854. 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.
Your windows so tempting
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 glancine
around the dim little shop crowded
with dusty treasures
And we're selling everything very
cheap now-we have to-" simply. "Oul
! brothers in the war"
Helen murmured her sympathy.
I'VE had a 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 plair
she did not remember.
"Oh, how lovely" exclaimed Helen
as the other sister now took from 6
chest an exquisitely embroidered white
crepe shawl with long knotted sill
fringe.
Brother bought this down in Devon
shire just a few months before ht
left stroking the fringe with thin
blue-veined hand. ITS marked sever
pounds, but we'll take five for it nov
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 owe
here-the hotels and restaurants hav'
all put up their prices:"
"Ah, yes, food is high" the olde
sister sighed, but everything else j
cheap. Look at us-well sell ou
goods for almost nothing-and NJ
one will buy. Last week sister soil
a piece of tapestry that cost US lively
shillings for eight. don't know VIVA
we shall do, don't know-I don
know"
Then, as though fearing she ha'
said too much, she went back into tn
rear room.
Sisters not well,' apologized tn
other. She's grieved SO over brothe
that she's not the same" Then takin
up the shawl and holding it SO tn
long fringe fell together in rich mas
she asked uncertainty, Don't 20
think it's worth four pounds to you
even now?'
Then three" desperately.
Helen hesitated. She was really dir
tressed. I'm sorry. but ! told 70
when came in couldn't buy
Il know you did, and we-we've a
ways been one-price shop" proud!
"but now" her voice broke.
ITS hard-it's very hard" mul
INJURED Helen. But the war can't las
forever-it must end soon."
But if brother never she bi
her lip; she could not put into word
the possibility Of his never comm
back. "Oh. you don't know-he Wa
such good brother. And he was tn
best judge Of tapestries in London,
proudly. They never had a sale a
Christies that he wasn't called in. w
) had an established business here-bu
now
She took up the shawl again an
TREMENDOUSLY stroked the fringe.
: You can have it for two pounds!
in a low voice. You could sell it
any dealer in America for three time
that much
Two pounds! Helen caught he
. breath. Three pounds had been al
.. surdIy cheap, but two pounds for thu
. shawl. 1t would make the most wol
derful evening wrap. She hesitatet
!. Then the bargain instinct that is
every woman succumbed to this tina
: offer.
!. Very well, III take it,
: But as she counted out the none
. she was vaguely troubled. The though
. of these women being forced to sue
!. a sacrifice was disquieting. Yet if sh
. /,S :