Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-10-05

4 = 1HeTG IS SOHteHliHg CtSe qtuSJ tCJL you
first"
"Rut you didn't buy any of those love
ly, useless thingsY' she interposed in a
whisper ''You didn't, surely, dad? You
know the quarters rent
f'Never mind the quarters rent, Vir-
ginia. You always will drag in these
purely private matters before our
guests
With delicate impatience he moved
to the stove and held out his white
hands to .he warmth
'Where was l when you interrupted
me? Ah,' and he took off his glasses,
lightly ficking his coat sleeve with
them, 81 remember, controlled my
self. bought nothing until | saw a
gem that almost made me give cry Of
recognition. Against the red cloth in
the lamplght and dust stood piece Of
statuary that I.-t A.l iA evil
day long age" lie l3o 10th lis
listeners with dim smile and his voice
became retrospective How il recalled
the bright spring morning picked it up
in Paris. All, dear mel I commenced
bidding for it.
"At last only one voice was heard
competing with me. The owner of it
peered at me through the crowd.
peered at him. Who was it but the son
of dear old friendl All, it was sight
to see him look at me only half con-
WINGED. Is your name KentY 1T is,
and you are Richard Monklow,' an
swered. Well, he withdrew, and the
bust became mine. spent the rest of
the day with him. We lunched at Del
monico's, played game of poker in his
rooms afterward. All, he's fine fellow,
this Lieutenant Monklow He's just left
the navy to inherit a great fortune. Oh,
what a life he has hadl Teeming with
adventure, with experience. Lucky dog!
But open the packages, Tom, and see
The Masker. 1t cost me $50 to regain
it. What matter? 1t is worth hun
dreds."
In moment Tom had the wrappings
off, and the bust was placed on little
stand The head and shoulders Of q girl
cleaned whitley in marble. She was
represented laughing with unrestrained
gayety, her eyes half closed from sheer
weariness of so much mirth, her curling
mouth with its range of little teeth just
showing above the small mask that ono
daintily curved hand had pulled down il
a capricious moment.
A lovely thing, indeed, but sadly Out
of place in that poor room. It seemed
strange to Virginia that her father did
not recognize the singular unftness
The girl was laughing at them all
And to have spent $50 for It'll Oh. it was
wanton, cruel.
Touch it reverently, Virginia; it be
longs to my past, sighed Mr.. Kent
but, father dear, how-how could
you do it?' she burst out with uncon
trollable reproach. Sixty dollars. and
SO many things needed herei"
Tom saw the old mans eyes flash, as
he straightenod himself from the waist:
''That will do, my dear. do not see
that we lack any Of the plain comforts
which, alas are all | can at present pro
vide-and if choose to add luxuriou!
trife, something associated with the deal
dead days, will not, he said in clear
studied voice. win not be interfered
with. Now, if you please. my child
we'll say no more about it. Whenever
you want to talk over household matters
with me. am always at your service
in private.
Nothing more was said. and the bus
was placed near the melodeon. But
Virginia could not bear to look at it
Poverty was biting, their needs urgent
and debt abhorrent to her. How many
panels she would have to strain her eye.
over before half of $50 was earned
burning mist fell over her sight She
looked up and met Toms compassion
ate eyes. They counseled her TO be pa
tient. All, what did these small brieri
matter since ha loved her?
There lay her kope, her refuge.
TTo BE CONTINUED