Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-07-13


the wet SlpperinesS of the drenched
pavements, it seemed as if it had al
ways rained, and always would rain.
Helen was tired, blue and ashamed
ashamed because she was blue; blue
becs use she was tired; and tired be-
CaWse-wearily her mind reviewed her
day.
She had dragged herself out of bed
n. half-past five, but even then her
simple toilet. had been FASTENED to an
untidy half completion by the queru-
lous insistence of her mothers frequent
You know, Helen-you must know
how utterly impossible it is for me to
lift my head until I've had my coffee
Aren't you almost ready?" Mrs. Ray
mond had Weakened earlier than usual
that morning, and she could never en-
dure to lie in bed when not asleep.
With enc shoe unbuttOned and no
collar on, Helen had prepared the cot
fee; then had come the delicate task of
getting the semi-invalid up and dressed,
1t had all resulted as Helen had
feared that it would result-she was
late; and tardneSs at Henderson &
HenderSon's meant sharp reprimand,
and in time, Il fine. HeIens place in
the huge department store was behind
Il counter where spangled nets and
embroidered ChiffOns were sold. 1t had
seemed to Helen today that half the
world must be giving a ball to which
the other half was invited, so con-
stant-in spite of the rain-were the
calls for her wares.
AnnOyanceS at the counter had
been more frequent today than usual,
Helen thought. Perhaps the rain had
made people cross. Helens list of sales
lad been short in spite Of her incessant
iabor-and the list of sales was what
Henderson & Henderson looked at
when a promotion was being con-
sidered.
And through it oil, hour after hour,
there had been the simmer of the
spangleS, the light chatter of coming
balls and weddings. the merry voices
of care-free girls-the youth. and love,
and laughter.
youth, ard love- and laughter" I'm
consciously Helen repeated the words
aloud; then she smiled bitterly as she
applied them to herself. YOuth?-she
was twenty-five. Love?-the grocer?
the milkman? the floorwalker? oh, yes,
and there was the poStman Laughter?
she could not remember when she
had seen anything funny-really funny
enough to laugh at.
OF all this Helen thought as she
nlodded YEARLY homeward; of this, and
more. At home there would be supper
TO prepare, her mother to get to bed,
and the noon dishes to clear away.
Helen drew in her breath sharply as
she thought of the dinner. She hoped
that it had not been cOdfSh-and-wealn
today. If it had, she must speak to
Mrs. Mason. Goldfish twice a week
might do, but FIVE times! (Mrs Mason
gas the neighbor who, for small sum
each day. brought Mrs. Raymond her
dinner fully COOked.j There was a
waist to iron and some mending to do.
Helen sighed now. She was almost
home, but invountarily her speed
SIackpned Enthusiastically She dreoded
10 90 home.
AT the shabby door of the anartment
house Helen half closed her umbrella
and shook if fiercplv. Then. as if free
ing herself from something as obnox-
ious as was the rain. she threw back
her hnad and shook that too mo-
ment later. carefully carrying the drip
ping umbrella, she hurried up three
flights Of stairs and unlocked the door
of the rear suite.
MY, but it sprinkIes! Did you know
1t! She crleu cleerlIF 10 the Ilttle Wom-
an Si'liis ny 'he west WlldoW.
NpflhKIes-! HeIeh' now can you
speak IKE mat when you know what a
ufeadluI Gay II Is !" Tretted the woman.
''u'' ''.e''' Wv" wi, Nno". io! never
Wv N"'"' - w" i'"N ~ just ''t "e'
na,a ~ dar aa n, , ,,1 ~ ',.,', =,
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