The Washington herald., 1920-06-28

of them. She was eighteen and
a saleslady In the gents gloves.
Here she became versed in two
varieties OF human beings-the
kind of gents who buy their
gloves In department stores and
the kind Of women who buy
gloves for unfortunate gents. Be-
sides this wide knowledge Of the
human species, Masie had ac-
quired other information. She
had listened to the promulgated
wisdom of the 2,sss other girls
and had stored IL in a brain that
was as secretive and wary as
that of a Maltese cat. Perhaps
nature. forseeing that she would
lack wise counsellors. had mingl-
ed the saving ingredient OF
shrewdness along with her
beauty, as she has endowed the
silver fox OF the priceless fur
above the other animals with
cunning.
For Masie was beautiful. She
was a deep-tinted blonde, with
the calm poise of lady who
cooks butter cakes in a window.
She stood behind her counter in
the Biggest Store; and as you
closed your hand over the tape
line for your glove measure you
thought of Hebe; and as you
looked again you wondered how
she had come by Minerva's eyes.
One day Irving Carter, painter.
millionaire, traveller, poet. auto
mobilist, happened to enter the
Biggest Store. 1t Is due to him
to add that his visit was not
voluntary. Filial duty took him
by the collar and dragged him
inside, while his mother philan-
dered among the bronze and ter
ra-cotta statuettes.
Carter strolled across to the
glove counter in order to shoot
a few minutes on the wing. His
need for gloves was genuine: he
had forgotten to bring a pair
with him. But his action hardly
calls for apology. because he had
never heard of glove-counter
flirtations.
As he neared the vicinity OF
his fate he hesitated, suddenly
conscious of this unknown phase
of Cupid's less worthy profession.
Three or four cheap fellows,
sonorously garbed. were leaning
over the counters, wrestling with
. the mediatorial hand-coverings,
while giggling girls played vi
vacious seconds to their lead
upon the strident string of CO.
quetry. Carter would have re-
treated. but he had gone too far.
Masie confronted him behind her
counter with a questioning look
in eyes as coldly. beautifully.
warmly blue as the CLINT of sum
mer sunshine on an iceberg drift
ing in southern seas.
And then Irving Carter. painter.
millionaire, etc, felt warm
flush rise to his aristocratically
pale face. But not from diff
dence. The blush was intellec-
tual in origin. He knew in a
moment that he stood in the
ranks OF the ready-made youths
who wooed the giggling girls
at other counters. Himself lean
ed against the oaken trysting
place of a cockney Cupid with a
desire in his heart for the favor
of a glove salesgirl. He was no
more than Bill and Jack and
81
sudden tolerance for them, and
an elating, courageous contempt
for the conventions upon which
he had fed, and an unhesitating
determination to have this per-
feet creature for his own.
When the gloves were paid for
and wrapped Carter fingered for
a moment. The dimples at the
corners of Masie's damask mouth
deepened. All gentlemen who
bought gloves fingered in just
that way. She curved an arm,
showing like Pcychc's through
her shirtwaist sleeve. and rested
an elbow upon the showcase edge
Carter had never before encoun-
tered a situation of which he had
not been a perfect master. But
now he stood far more awkward
than Bill or Jack or Mickey. He
had no chance of meeting this
beautiful girl socially. His mind
struggled to recall the nature and
habits of shopgirls as he had read
or heard of them. Somehow he had
received the idea that they some
times did not insist too strictly
upon the regular channels of in
PRODUCTION. His heart beat loudly
at the thought of proposing an
unconventional meeting with this
lovely and virginia. being. But
the tumult in his heart gave him
courage.
After a few friendly and we'll
receiving remarks on general sub
Jects. he laid his card by her hand
on the counter.
Will you please pardon me-" he
said, ''if / seem too bold: but I
earnestly hope you will allow me
the pleasure Of seeing you again.
Here is my name; 1 assure you
that it is with the greatest re-
spect that / ask the favor Of be-
COHihS OuS VI your IT ac-
quaintances. May not hope for
the privilege"
Masie knew men-especially men
who buy gloves. Without hesita-
tion she looked himfrankly and
smilingly in the eyes and said:
Sure. / guess you're all right.
] don't usually go out with strange
gentlemen, though. II amt quite
hdylike. When should you want
% see me again.
AS soon as / may" said Carter.
IF you would allow me to call
at your home. L"
Nasie laughed. musicslly. "oh,
gee. no" she said. emphatically.
IF you could see our fat once!
There's five of us in three rooms.
I'd just like to see mas face IL
was to bring a gentleman friend
thsrei"
Anywhere. then" said the