Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-08-05
Just a Business
Woman
By DOROTHY WHITcOMB
Ia, 1874. Western Newspaper Union. J

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Seems to me you young folks don't
think Of nothing but pleasure" said
Mrs. Adams ENORMOUSLY, as she
watched her daughter Lizzie put on
her new hat.
II won't be gone long" replied Liz
xie.
swell, see that 81 Winton brings
you back safe" grumbled the elder
woman, watching her daughter envi-
ously as she passed through the door
and into the village street. n
But Lizzie Adams was not thinking
Of 81 Winton, whom her mother had
selected as her beau. 81 was not un-
willing that he should be the subject
Of parental appreciation, for the Ad-
ans family was the first In the c0un-
ty, and It was a collateral branch, the
Winthrop Adamses, who owned the
big new cotton mill which drew thou
sands Of young people from the noun
tain districts to work there. Lizzie
Adams, however was Of the poorer
branch. Her small wage was all that
sustained their family Of two-and
before that they had lived In the ut
most penury.
Lizzie Adams was not going to the
village. Instead she made her way
toward the brand-new brick mansion
Of her cousin Herbert, who had come
from college the week before to take
charge Of the mill upon the occasion
Of his fathers sudden demise. Theys
had been sweethearts In the good old
days, before Winthrop Adams had
risen from country store-keeper to
country magnate, by shrewd invest
ment. But doubtless Herbert had long
ago forgotten her. For she had not
seen him for four-fve years, 1t must
be.
She was not hoping to meet Her
bert; she was just taking stroll, at
tired In her best hat and her one
wearable gown.
Those who seek, find. Lizzie met
Herbert driving smart trap, and by
his side sat young lady, dressed In
what seemed to Lizzie the height Of
fashion. And because there was hard
ly room to pass the trap stopped, and
Herbert recognized her and boVed
and smiled, and the trap disappeared
behind her.
"You haven't .quarreled with 81 Win
ton" asked her mother, GROSSLY, when
Lizzie returned.
"No, | didn't meet him." answered
the girl. Two minutes later she was
sitting her sobs upon, her bed in the
little room adjoining the invalid's
II Herbert had no thoughts for her
upon the street, how would he greet
her in the mill when, dressed In her
working clothes and covered with lint,
she toiled at the machine? She could
not bear to drag herself into the place
next morning. The girls stood there,
heavy.eyed, sullen of face, dreaming Of
Sunday and Of their beaux.
"Now, then. don't stand dreaming
there" shouted Miss Jones, the fore
woman, to Lizzie. Don't you know
young Mr.. Adams is coming round to
inspect this place this morning.
It was toward noon when Herbert
Adams came in, escorted by the fore
man. Halfway down he came upon
Lizzie. He must have seen her. But
he did not even look at her.
At noon Lizzie crept away to spend
the half hours recess somewhere I'M
der the trees.
Suddenly shadow fell across her
path and she found herself looking up
into the face of bronzed young man
whose eyes were bent upon her with
unmistakable interest.
"Lizzie," exclaimed the mill own
er, II saw you leaving the grounds,
and followed YOU. How do you dot
I've often thought Of you since we
parted-let me see. years ago, It
must be-"
"You seemed to forget your polite
ness this morning In the mill" the girl
retorted, struggling to keep back her.
tears.
"Why," exclaimed the young man
In establishment, really, was so en-
barrassed-I thought 1t best"
ayes, you were embarrassed be-
cause wasn't dressed like your friend
yesterday" she blurted out. and could
have bitten her tongue afterward.
Miss Keith? Why she-why, Liz.
Gle, dear, she's the agent for the cot
ton company-just a business woman,
who is negotiating for the years out
put You didn't think"
Suddenly he caught her In his arms.
"Lizzle," he whispered with his face
very close to hers, "did you think
had forgotteni Don't you know my
father sent me away to college be-
cause cared? want you, Lizzie, just
as always did, want girl of my
own country and my own people. not
Miss Keithp
Honest Printer Of Long Age.
The first and only edition Of Cava-
iieri's "Six Geometrical Discussions"