CHAPTER XII

ELIZABETH’S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Mrs. Brady was at the wash-tub again when her most uncommon and unexpected grandchild burst into the room.

She wiped her hands on her apron, and sat down with her usual exclamation, “Fer the land sakes!  What’s happened?  Bessie, tell me quick.  Is anything the matter with Lizzie?  Where is she?”

But Elizabeth was on the floor at her feet in tears.  She was shaking with sobs, and could scarcely manage to stammer out that Lizzie was all right.  Mrs. Brady settled back with a relieved sigh.  Lizzie was the first grandchild, and therefore the idol of her heart.  If Lizzie was all right, she could afford to be patient and find out by degrees.

“It’s that awful man, grandmother!” Elizabeth sobbed out.

“What man?  That feller in Montana you run away from?” The grandmother sat up with snapping eyes.  She was not afraid of a man, even if he did shoot people.  She would call in the police and protect her own flesh and blood.  Let him come.  Mrs. Brady was ready for him.

“No, no, grandmother, the man—­man—­manager at the ten-cent store,” sobbed the girl; “he kissed me!  Oh!” and she shuddered as if the memory was the most terrible thing that ever came to her.

“Fer the land sakes!  Is that all?” said the woman with much relief and a degree of satisfaction.  “Why, that’s nothing.  You ought to be proud.  Many a girl would go boasting round about that.  What are you crying for?  He didn’t hurt you, did he?  Why, Lizzie seems to think he’s fine.  I tell you Lizzie wouldn’t cry if he was to kiss her, I’m sure.  She’d just laugh, and ask him fer a holiday.  Here, sit up, child, and wash your face, and go back to your work.  You’ve evidently struck the manager on the right side, and you’re bound to get a rise in your wages.  Every girl he takes a notion to gets up and does well.  Perhaps you’ll get money enough to go to school.  Goodness knows what you want to go for.  I s’pose it’s in the blood, though Bess used to say your pa wa’n’t any great at study.  But, if you’ve struck the manager the right way, no telling what he might do.  He might even want to marry you.”

“Grandmother!”

Mrs. Brady was favored with the flashing of the Bailey eyes.  She viewed it in astonishment not unmixed with admiration.

“Well, you certainly have got spirit,” she ejaculated.  “I don’t wonder he liked you.  I didn’t know you was so pretty, Bessie; you look like your mother when she was eighteen; you really do.  I never saw the resemblance before.  I believe you’ll get on all right.  Don’t you be afraid.  I wish you had your chance if you’re so anxious to go to school.  I shouldn’t wonder ef you’d turn out to be something and marry rich.  Well, I must be getting back to me tub.  Land sakes, but you did give me a turn.  I thought Lizzie had been run over.  I couldn’t