The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-09-22
BNt COPYRIGHT 1895 6YI1LpNMUTT COMPANY,
AND PUBLISHED bY SPECIAL 4llNAN5fRfNT WfTH T1tNJ

lCoNTINUED.-Co SEPT. STH.
"Where was when you interrupted
me? Ah,' and he took off his glasses,
lightly Ticking his coat sleeve with
them, 81 remember, I controlled my
self. bought nothing until 1 saw a
gem that almost made me give cry of
recognition. Against the red cloth in
the lapaplight and dust stood piece of
statuary that l parted with in an evil
day long ago." He looked at both his
listeners with a dim smile, and his voice
became retrospective. GLOW it recalled
the bright spring morning picked it up
in Parish All, dear me! 1 commenced
bidding for it.
cat last only one voice was heard
competing with me. The owner Of it
peered at me through the crowd. 1
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-
tinced. is your name Kent? 1T is,
end you are Richard Monklow,' an
Bwered. Well, he withdrew, and the
bust became mine. l 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 q fine fellow,
this Lieutenant Monklow. He's just left
the navy to inherit a great fortune. Oh,
what life he has hadi 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 o girl
CLEANED whitley in marble. She was
represented laughing with unrestrained
.gayety, her eyes half closed from sheer
WEAKNESS of so much mirth, her curling
mouth with its range of little teeth just
showing above the small mask that one
daintily curved hand had pulled down in
a capricious moment.
A lovely thing, indeed, but sadly out
of place in that poor room. 1t seemed
strange to Virginia that her father did
not recognize the singular unftness.
The girl was laughing at them all!
And to have spent 500 for it! 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 here"
Tom saw the old mans eyes flash, as
he Strengthened himself from the waist:
"That will do, my dear. 1 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 luxurious
trife something associated with the dear
dead days, will not" he said in clear,
studied voice-"I will 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 bust
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 eyes
over before half Of $50 was earned. A
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 briers
matter since he loved her?
There lay her hope, her refuge.