Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-07-10

rather too early in the day for Joking
however, he would take the bid Just b,
the way of making start
Lets see inside Of it," suggested on,
OF those swell wits often seen at auc
tons.
Certainly, if you desire TO, sir
though may tell you there's nothing
not even a shelf; but should any one re
quire shelves, fixing the cost would be
only triaing. John, unlock the cabi
net"
Tho key amt in. sir" answered the
attendant.
1t was an hour ago, I'm certain" re.
marked Mr.. Bulsale. However, it's OF
little consequence. Sorry we can't
oblige you, sir, just Mt the moment; the
key has evidently been mislaid."
"Supposing, after all, there is some
thing inside; will it go with the article?'
81 pledge you my word" answered
Mr.. Bulsale, with mock irony, "that the
fortunate purchaser Of that work of art
may justly claim anything that may
happen to be in the interior. | trust
everybody will now be satisfied and al
low us to go on with business"
There is no need to dwell ON the
progress Of the bidding for Lot No.
IL. Besides myself there were two
or three other keen competitors, and
50, even II i had not been there with
such imperative orders, Sowerbutt
would have failed 10 secure tho coveted
piece OF furniture at what he considered
a reasonable price; he retired from the
field vanquished when tho bidding had
reached ef2 los. Eventually the cab
met fell to my bid of e37 los, and a
rather exorbitant figure | considered it.
Of course, after all, | was but an agent
in the matter.
As there were not many lots 10 be dis
posed Of, l elected to stay till the sale
was concluded, thinking it just possible
might learn something more respect
ing my purchase. pushed my way
through the crowd into Mr.. Bulsale's
Office behind the salesroom and seated
myself facing the doorway through
which | had just entered, my eyes the
while resting upon the antique cabinet.
which had been so placed that the back
OF 1t was partly across the entrance TO
the private room.
l had been sitting minute or SO.
musing over the unusual events of the
morning, when to my amazcment | saw
there was no delusiOn-the back Of the
wardrobe slowly opening toward me
like a door, disclosing space Of four or
live inches, and through this aperture
there appeared a small feminine hand in
whose tapercd fingers dangied invitingTy
a scrap of paper. Acting on the impulse
of the moment, / rose and quickly trans
ferred it 10 myself. The little hand was
thereupon instantly Withdrawn and the
opening closed.
Could | believe my eyes as l read on
the paper | had so Inysteriously become
possessed Of as follows:
$50 have really been knocked down
TO you, dear. Now you will understand
my telegram. You Of course will know
how to complete the stratagem begun by
Ethelr
"Whew? The clever darlingr
The next minute Mr.. Buisalo entered,
There, I've just finished. But where
Is EthelY'
Before could reply the back of the |
antique cabinet again opened, but wide !
his time, and Ethel, looking somewhat |
flushed, stepped forth. Advancing To-
ward us, she said demurely:
Here am. papa, none the worse for !
being knocked down by you"
Papa Bulsale's face was study, as he /
ooked first at Ethel then at myself.
"Explainl" he gasped out, as no sank
lelplessly into an easy chair.
1T is all my doing" Ethel quietly re-
marked Edward knew nothing of
he actual fact till a moment ago. You /
zee, papa, l discovered yesterday that
he cabinet had revolving back, and
1t once, as If by inspiration, the idea oc-
'urred TO me to DO sold along with the
and so-well, you know the
est, dear papa, and belong TO the pur-
.haser Of the antique wardrobe, Lot
H. Here is the key"
The ingenious damsel put out her
land 10 me, and taking the dear little
'aln, turned 20 the dazed Mr.. Bulsaie,
aging gravely:
81 claim this lady according 70 the
conditions Of sale, as well as by your
WIN words, Of which dare say you do
lot require reminding"
As soon as the eminent auctioneer
called how beautifully he had been
ornered he stormed dreadfully; but tho
orient OF his wrath soon exhausted IL
elf, and he Gained down wonderfully,
ven going so far rs to designate his
riend Sowerbutt as a mean fellow for
ot bidding above me.
On the suspicious occasion, when dar-
ing, daring Ethel became my wife, the
rider of things customary at such times
vas somewhat reversed in tho case of
ir. Sowerbutt. Instead Of his making
he bride the customary present, the