The Story of Sheelah

ts when she put her fingers in her ears and counted out loud to shut away her terrifying thoughts. One day, when her work was over, the boss called her away from the group of women hastily donning their wraps.

"Say, Miss Doyne," he said; "ain't keepin' up your work so well, are you?"

"Oh, yes, sir," said Sheelah, trembling; "I do more piece-worrk 'n lots the gurrls."

"Don't you get scared," said the boss. He was an alert, quick-voiced, dark young man who had changed his name from Hennissey to Hanecy, and was rising in the world. "Nothin' to be scared of," he went on; "I mean well by you. Say, ain't heard any talk of unions among the women, have you?"

"No, sir," said Sheelah" dropping her eyes.

"That's right. We don't want 'em here. Those that are in 'em 'II wish they weren't, if they form unions," he threatened.

"Yes, sir."

He nodded dismissal, and she went home with a quaking fear lest the boss hear of the can-painters' union and discharge her. Every time he l