Gilpin observer., 1916-11-09

repose. And not for him were vexed
shaking and bitter reproach The
mother strOked his head fondly. He
awoke with start, and instantly his
expression became that of sulky cur.
He thrust aside her hand.
"Oh, go awayw he cried. "Can't
you leave me alone? Why do you
want to come bothering feller?"
But, George, DEAR" she protested,
Its time you were up. Here's your
| breakfast"
The mere mention of food exerted
soothing influence. Like the snarling
pup that he was, George Ray conde-
scended to eat, though grumbling the
while that she Knight ha' given fell
Ter another half hour"
Meanwhile, Helen had taken her
| own breakfast from the stove, and was
looking after the children's wants
when her mother came into the room
and stared at the clock.
"Just look at the tlme!" she cried.
IF you sit there much longer eatin'
you'll be locked half day at the
store"
Helen glanced up in alarm. The
hour was twenty minutes after seven.
She ought to have been out of the
house ut least five minutes ago. Hast
lily gulping down some coffee, and stuff
fling her mouth full of bread, she
| grabbed her hat, and made for the
door. Then she bethought herself.
MA" she said. Cant you spare
carfare this morning?"
"Carfare?" shrilled her mother.
you get move on, you hussy! Where
am to get carfare from, with hum
CRY pack to feed an rotten husban'
who guzzles every cent he can lay
hands on?"
Ray snorted at this unexpected flank
attack, and Helen fled, followed down.
stairs by the sounds of furious al
tercation. Nevertheless, Mrs. Ray was
able to produce much less needed
carfare for her son when that sore
headed young gentleman made be-
lated appearance about nine o'clock.
He, by the way, was far better dressed
than his sister, and his chief worry
for the hour centered in the fact that
he had no cigarettes.
The head of the family had already
gone OFF on the usual round, which in
Guided every corner saloon in the dis
trict, SO the mother, after a strenuous
debate, sighed resignedly, and pro-
duced some coins from underneath an
unsupported tin box on shelf. Young
Ray took them ungraciously and hur-
rled out. He was supposed to be
studying law. Curiously enough, he
cOntrived to imbibe legal lore In 4
poolroom.
Helen, making up for lost time by a
running walk, was delayed by long
freight train which halted across the
street and, after an interminable de-
lay, backed slowly. The department
store where she earned her pittance
opened at seyen-thirty. II she was late
she knew only too well that she would
lose half a days pay. At last how
ever, the road was clear and she lit
orally run the rest Of the way. Never
theless, the hands of the clock at the
employees entrance pointed inexora-
bly, to 7:40.
I'm terribly sorry about the time"
she explained breathlessly to the
| checker. 'But couldn't help myself.
There was train across the track
and"
"Oh, can that stuff, it's old" said
the clerk, with an odiOus leer. IF you
can't put up better spiel than that,
let it CO."
But it's true" cried Helen desper-
| ntely, her face blanching mt the
| thought of the scene at home when her
pay envelope was lessened by u fine
of half days pay.
The clerk caught her by the shout
der.
Say, KID he chuckled, "I'll just
forget you We're late. The fine is one
kiss"
The girl was so taken aback that
she recoiled as though some noxious
insect had stung her. Without another
word she darted along passage. The
| checker gazed after her philosophi-
| cally.
$50 that's the lay of the land, is it?"
he muttered. and marked her name on
| the ''late" list.
Helen was engaged at the notions
| counter. The morning passed without
| unusual incident At first there was
rush of customers, but things quoted
down after the commuters had fin
ished their shopping and were stream
Ing out to lunch. About that time, n
ltnll, well-dressed young man halted at
The counter and examined its contents.
His exceptionally fine physique and
strong. self-relant features invited the
covert scrutiny of Helen and her CO.
workers.
"Say. he's some swell guy, amt hep
whispered one of the girls.
IL like his looks" admitted Helen.
do you know who he is?'