The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-09-21

money. Bat tho pieces wsrs not yours, ed sx- amined them more closely. 0h, hsavsnsi thsy were mine. All my Derby, Worosst@, and Chsi- puos marks, singls pieces and collected ssrvioss- all was to come Co the hammer, end Co look on powerless Co ave piece of it. while thoss devils, Solomons and Levy, stood by to chsapsn h, and Edmund rode in tho park, and did not care . ruah. knew your sighs and mourning were for me, and knew then what 1t was to have true friend who would stand by fellow, not only to the death, but after 1t. Mainwaring, old fellow, I shail never forget your kindne@ on that day-you arc . real friend. It may seem silly, old fellow, but shouh like to shake hands with you.s
 As he spoke Wooler extended his hand, and I, who was reAlly moved by his recital, grasped It. and we looked at each other with some emotion It was not till afterwards that the whole scsne earnest, and at the moment believed e much as he did that what he aid had actually happened.
 Wooler continued
 aI followed you round tho whole collection, and saw you examine 1t all with care. At last you paused before my matchless dessert servioe-the Harborough service. I watched you with great
 interest here for this s the only part of my colec- ton that you never @w. You remember ten years ago told you that meant to have the whole of that scattered work of art own I was . little offended when you told me 1t was impossible, and warned me of the numerous replioas that were in existence Since then have been silently tracking all tho pieces, and in revenge for your scepticim never mentioned my sucoess till now. I have the whole of fit-every plate, the original pieces and chuckled inwardIy at your confusion when you noticed that what you thought impossible hsd bean done. This has been the crowning work of my lie; am proud to Ay that am the owner of the unique and finest product of the finest period of Derby. felt sure you must be convinced when you saw the mark, even to the D in gold, and knew you would not miss tho signed on each portrait proclaiming 1t tho work of the celebrated BAnford. But had not long to enjoy my triumph, for the wine was now sold, and my collection fol- lowed.
 sSome pieces of Chippendale and Sheraton furni- ture came first, and went ct about their value think there was slight prodt, but 1t did not con- cern me much, and then the oak sideboard came up. knew that had told yoa this was only . legacy. 1t is good enough in its way, but heavy. The carvings not of the best kind and in short it is not piece should ever have bought myself Imagine, then, my surprise when I Aw you move up and commence to bid. The price rose slowly to 100 pounds, then you sprung Ave pounds- thought you had 1t, but another voice aid 120. I turned. It was that idiot Edmund, who knew e we'll e did how got it. You bid isO, Edmund advanced ten You followed with i60, Edmund paused. The hammer rose.
 "'Going at 150. Will no one ny 1902
 "He looked at Edmund. The a@ was gratihed, eighty pounds, and own was not sorry to see him taken in. But was horrifed to ses from your fAoe which practice ct alss hos taught me to read that you were going to spring. tried to pluck your sleeve. but you did not he'd: Levy and Solo made an effort and shouted:
 @Don't be an ass, Nainwaring.'
 "My voice went out into the air and was lost. You did not hear. You sprang ten pounds. The hammer fell and the piece was yours. For some time could only wonder. Had you been lunching or gone mad2 Levy and Solomons knsw, and you, whom always thought their equal, he'd blun- dered. Then guessed 1t was feeling for me, and with glow Of warm affection I looked ct you again. I am sure you felt that glance. At least, your face brightened, and rsjoicsd as I thought had ct last established some line Of communication between you and your poor dead friend During the rest of the mle kept my eyes on you, glancing