The Portland daily press., 1892-06-18

the way of making start.
"Let's see inside of it, J" suggested one
of those swell wits often seen at auc-
tions.
Certainly, if you desire to, sir,
though l may tell you there's nothing,
not even shelf; but should any one re-
quire shelves, fixing the cost would be
only trifing, John, unlock the cabi-
net"
"The key amt in, SIR answered the
attendant.
''It 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 at the moment; the
key has evidently been mislaid."
"Supposing, after all, there is some
thing inside; will it go with the article?"
II 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
SO, even if had not been there with
such imperative orders, Sowerbutt
would have failed to secure the coveted
piece of furniture at what he considered
reasonable price; he retired from the
field vanquished when the bidding had
reached e12 los. Eventually the cab
met fell to my bid of e37 15s., and a
rather exorbitant figure considered it.
OF course, after all, was but an agent
in the matter.
AS there were not many lots to be dis
posed of, l elected to stay till the sale
was concluded, thinking it just possible
might learp something more respect
ing my purchase. l 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 it was partly across the entrance to
the private room.
l had been sitting a minute or so,
musing over the unusual events of the
morning. when to my amazement / saw
there was no delusion-the back of the
wardrobe slowly opening toward me
like door, disclosing space of four or
five inches, and through this aperture
there appeared small feminine hand, in
whose tapered fingers dangled invitingly
a scrap of paper. Acting on the impulse
of the moment, rose and quickly trans
ferred it to myself. The little hand was
thereupon instantly withdrawn and the
opening closed. nd
Could believe my eyes as read on
the paper had so mysteriously 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
Ethel"
"Whew? The clever darling!''
The next minute Mr.. Bulsale entered,
oxclaiming:
''There, I've just finished. But where
is Ethel?'
Before could reply the back of the
antique cabinet again opened, but wide
this 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
looked first at Ethel, then at myself.
"Explain7" he gasped out. as he sank
helplessly into an easy chair.
"It is all my doing" Ethel quietly re-
marked. Edward knew nothing Of
the actual fact till a moment,ago. You
see, papa, discovered yesterday that
the cabinet had revolving back, and
at once, as if by inspiration, the idea oc-
CURED to me to be sold along with the
furniture, and so-well, you know the
rest, dear papa, and belong to the pur-
chaser of the antique wardrobe, Lot
H. Here is the key"
The ingenious damsel put out her
hand to me, and taking the dear little
palm, turned to the dazed Mr.. Bulsale,
saying gravely:
81 claim this lady according to the
conditions of sale, as well as by your
own words, of which dare say you do
not require reminding"
AS soon as the eminent auctioneer
realized how beautifully he had been
cornered he stormed dreadfully; but the
torrent of his wrath soon exhausted it
self. and he Gained down wonderfullv
even going so far as to designate his
friend Sowerbutt as mean fellow for
not bidding above me.
On the auspicious occasion. when dar-
ling, daring Ethel became my wife, the
order of things customary at such times
was somewhat reversed in the case of
Mr.. Sowerbutt. Instead of his making
the bride the customary present, the
latter sent him handsome gift-Lot II!
He accepted it!-New York World.