The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-03-29

| first"
But you didn't buy any of those love-
ly, useless things?" she interposed in a
whisper. You didn't, surely, dad? You
know the quarters rent
"Never mind the quarters rent, vir-
ginia. You always will drag in these
purely private matters before our
guests"
With delicate impotence he moved
to the stove and held out his white
hands to the warmth.
Where was when you interrupted
me? All and he took off his glasses,
lightly Ticking his coat sleeve with
them, II remember. controlled my
self. bought nothing until I saw q
gem that almost made me give cry of
recognition. Against the red cloth in
the larnplight and dust stood piece Of
stataary that l parted with In an evil
day long ago." He looked at both his
listeners with dim smile, and his voice
became retrospective. How it recalled
the bright spring morning picked it mp
in Parisl All. dear me! commenced
bidding for it.
AT last only one voice was heard
competing with me. The owner Of it
peered at me through the crowd. I
peered at him. Who was ii but the son
Of dear old friendl All, it was a sight
to see him look at me only half con-
WINGED. rs your name Kent? 1T is,
and you are Richard Monklow,' an
swered. Well, he withdrew, and the
bust became mine. I 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 great fortune. Oh,
what a life he has had! 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 q moment Tom had the wrappings
off, and the bust was placed on 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
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
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 unfitness.
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 reproaeh. Sixty dollars, and
so many things needed here!"
Tom saw the old mans eyes fash, az
he Strengthened himself from the waist:
"Thst will do, my dear. do not see
that we lack any of the plain comforts
which, alasl are all can at present pro
vide--and IL choose to add a luxurious
trife, something associated with the deal
dead days, will not" he said in clear
studied voice-'I will not be interfered
with. Now, il You please, my child
Wen 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
aud debt ahhorrent 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. Sh.
looked up and met Toms compassion
ate eyes. They counseled her to be pa
tient. Alb, what did these small brierl
matter since he loved her?
There lay her hope, her refuge.