Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-07-24

Betty wore dress of gaily lowered
red print, upon the breast of which
was pinned an enormous tie OF green
cambria.
Miss Carlisle smiled upon her also,
and Betty grinned broadly. Miss
Carlisle had paid her call that after
noon, and the honor OF it was fresh in
Bettv's mind.
Soon the bidding began. Baskets,
large and small, fancy boxes and or
namental bags went off in rapid sue
cession. As yet nothing had sold for
less than -four bits, or half a dollar,
and several had even brought dol
lar. The ladies were elated.
When the silk-lined japanese bas-
ket which Clinton had seen in Miss
Carlisles desk was put up, that
young man, without the least caution,
started the bid at one dollar.
There was little stir in the audi
ence. 1t was the highest starting bid
Yet made.
"One-twenty-fve" "One-fi fifty -
Two dollars" came in rapid success
sion. 1T is the school teachers, y
the whisper had gone around.
. At last, with flushed cheeks and a
triumphant glance at Miss Carlisle,
Clinton McKinsey laid iive-dolar
gold piece on the auctioneer'S table,
and bore away the prize.
Are YOU sure it's hers whispered
Percy, as Clinton resumed his seat
and rested the costly treasure on his
knees.
Clinton nodded. Il know it," he
said.
We'll. it's about time for us to be
taking in something. Let's try for
the next; what do you say, Mark y
said Percy.
He saw the auctioneer's hand upon
brown paper bundle tied with red
tape. The red tape had been applied
TO Betty Morley for the purpose.
Now, gentlemen, said the auction
eer, don't be afraid TO bid on this
because there's so much red tape
about it. Appearances are sometimes
deceitful, and Judging by its weight,
| should say there was enough in it
to feed the heaviest two people in the
room. What do you say, Joe Gump
What'll you give -
Joe Gump was six feet, and weighed
about two hundred and fifty pounds.
"A nickle," responded Joe, good
naturedly.
Ten cents - called Percy Drake.
Fifteen - said Ben Tyndal.
Clinton nudged Mark.
"Go in for ii, y he said. 81 happen
to know something about that par
eel. and if had not been after this,
I'd take it in, sure Its going cheap
too. Folks seem afraid OF it because
'tisnt fancy-more fools they. Look
here, boys, not SO fast Give Mark a
chance
Harvey Ballard had just offered
twenty cents.
1.-TWO bits - said Mark, half-fright-
ened at his own voice. There was no
opposing bid?
The boys in the plot were squeezing
their lips together hard in their effort
to suppress their laughter. Mark
had fallen into the plot more readily
than they expected.
As Mark took the clumsy parcel in
his hands, the tape slipped, and one
corner OF the stiT paper fell away,
disclosing to the curious crowd n vel
low pumpkin reposing on a tin platter
bordered with parsley leaves
Mark turned deadly pale. 1t was IA
cruel hoax, planned by those boys,
whom she had been silly enough to
trust. He had a mad impulse TO turn
and hurl the pumpkin at their heads
but Miss Carlisle was looking at him.
The color surged back TO his face.
and tearing the wrapper entirely
away. he strode back TO his seat,
holding aloft his yellow prize with a
forced laugh.
The necktie - shouted some one
from the crowd.
Yes, the necktie, Show US who
likes raw pumpkin"
Miss Carlisle left her seat and came
toward them. The crowd fell back a
little. She did not speak to Mark
but stood near 1t was enough. IL
kept up his fastfailing courage.
Mark raised the pumpkin from the
plate. No tie was there.
Percy and his companions began
10 feel uneasy. Had Betty been too
stupid to put her necktie into the
pumpkin.
Hello, Mark your pumpkin
cracked clean across, said someone.
Mark looked. IL was not crack,
but cut. a piece had been taken
from the top to form lid, and 50
nicely adjusted a. not readily to be
seen. He took hold Of the stem and
lifted the cover
4 shout went up from the crowd.
The pumpkin had been followed out,
lined with tissue paper and packed
lull Of lunch and on the very top,
resting on folded japanese napkin
lay dainty necktie OF fringed white
silk
''The school-teacner?' The school
teacher -
The crowd took up the cry. and
sent it echoing about the room.
None but Clinton's fellow-coDspira
tors saw how pale he turned wher
Miss Carlisle's tie was found in th'