The Hope pioneer., 1894-02-23

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first"
"But you didn't buy any of those love-
ly, useless things?" she interposed in q
whisper. "You didn't, surely, dad? You
know the quarters rent
sNever mind the quarters rent, Vir-
ginia. You always will drag in these
purely private matters before our
guests"
With a delicate impatience he moved
to the stove and held out his white
hands to tho warmth.
"Where was when you interrupted
me? Ah," and he took off his glasses,
lightly Ticking his coat sleeve with
them, II remember, controlled my.
self. I bought nothing until I saw o
gem that almost made me give cry Of
recognition. Against the red cloth in
tho 1amnlipht and dust stood piece Of
statuary that I parted with in an evil
day long ago." He looked at both his
listeners with dim smile, and his voice
became retrospective. GLOW it recalled
the bright spring morning picked it up
in Paris! All, dear me! I commenced
bidding for it,
cat last only one voice was heard
competing with me. The owner Of 1t
peered at me through the crowd. 1
peered at him. Who was it but the son
Of dear old friend! All, it was sight
to see him look at me only half con-
vinced. rs your name KentT 1T is,
and you are Richard Monklow,'I an
swered. Well, he withdrew, and the
bust became mine. I spent the rest Of
the day with him. We Iunohed at Dell
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 great fortune. Oh,
what life he has hadl Teeming with
adventure, with experience. Lucky dog!
But open the packages, Tom, and see
The Masker,' It cost me $50 to regain
it,, it: What ! matters # is worth hppnr lp..
In moment Tom had the wrappings
off, and the bust was placed on a little
stand. The head and shoulders Of 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 one
daintily curved hand had pulled down in
capriciaus momeAt,
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 unfitness.
The girl was laughing at them a,ll
And to have spent 500 for It'll Oh, it was
wanton, cruel!
"Touch it reverently. Virginia, it be-
longs to my past" sighed Mr. Kent.
'tBut, 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. I do not see
that wo lack any of the plain comforts~z
which, Rlasl are all can at present pro.
vide-and if choose to add q luxurious
tritie, something associated with the dear
dead days, will not, DE said in o 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 moro 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
hnruin9 miat fell oHeI- her sight. She