The Washington times., 1936-12-21

looking at her with deadly signifi
canoe, suppose you learn to keel
your hands off other peoples prop
erty? What about that for ar
idea?"
AIMS chin lifted, What do you
mean?"
CHAPTER XIII
"I mean that I can-and will
make it extremely hard for you il
you continue poaching on my pre-
serves. You're we'll aware of whom
I'm talking" said Renita, smiling
unpleasantly.
Ann felt sick at heart.
It was foolish to pay attention
to the threat of anyone who hao
been drinking, though the old prov
erh had a measure of warning in II
that many true word is spoken, ir
drink!
Uncertain what to do, she was
thankful to see Miss Shellfish
buyer of misses dresses, approach
| 1A4S d14O
Ann moved hastily off.
One look at her head OF STOCK
gave the buyer her cue.
You're not yourself, Renita
You look terrible. Whatever Mr.
Bradley will say when he sees you
and he's liable to come in here
any minute-I can't think. Go or
out to the dressing room and take
cold shower. Then I'd advise
you to go up to the beauty parlor
and relax while you're having a
facial. You certainly need it. II
anyone asks for you, I'll say sent
you to the stock room"
Kindly Miss Shellfish might be
but she had backbone. There was
no gainsaying her.
Shamefacedly, and hoping that
the Delafield chit might be sport
ing enough not to tattle, Renita
departed for the beneficial effects
of-for a change-cold water.
Meantime, Miss Shellfish was
expatiating on the various quail
ties and prices of the dresses, to
Ann. You know it's awfully i'm
portant, my dear, for me to have
my selling force cooperate with
me. 1 can't abide friction. My!
it isn't easy to be a buyer, as one
day you'll find out for yourself,
for I'm sure you're clever and am
bilious, and'll go ahead with the
best. You see, buyer first of all
has to sell her girls on the floor,
so that in turn she may sell her
customer"
Now these somewhat odd ex-
presSions were beginning to be in
telligible to Ann, though at first
they had perplexed her.
"A buyer, you see," continued
Miss Shellfish, "has also to sell
bill to the merchandise manager
and all down the line. Mr.. Brad
ley's swell fellow, and we're all
crazy about him, but he has no
sympathy with incompetence"
Ann couldn't hear enough about
Paul Bradley, and urged Miss
Shellfish to continue, but she was
off on a different tack.
1T isn't all beer and skittles, by
any means, and especially when
an attractive, capable girl comes
here to work. There are plenty
only too ready and willing to
make trouble. Jealousy! That's
what she has to contend with.
Lies! Running to the boss with
tales of this and that"
Il won't mention names, but
dare say already you've had your
own troubles, my dear child. But
don't let them down you. You
know the truth always comes out
in the end, and if your con-
sciences clear, you'll be the win
ner." She moved off to attend a
customer who had just come in.
Miss Shellfish's tactics were ex-
tremely diplomatic, even to the
point of flattering the customer.
She admired her bag, her hat
Aan overheard it-and presently
she had sold her two dresses for
her daughter.
I'm learning how it goes!"
thought Ann.
She avoided the restaurant at
lunch, fearing to run into Gordon
Gavin.
The afternoon went on.
-Four of AIMS girl friends, rally
ing to her call, arrived in the de-
partment.
They had lunched at "21," that
fashionable cafe, and, by their hi
larity, had evidently consumed a
good many cocktails.
Their jokes, their bright laugh.
ter. rang through the salon.
will I get in Dutch for this?"
thought Ann. She became more
alarmed when she saw the mer.
chandiSe manager watching hel
party!
For the love of Pete, buy some,
thing, girls! D'you want to get me
f1red2" she whispered.
!