The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-11-28
BOUGHT AT AUCTION.

claimed Fred Sawyer TO his friend. "Come
up to my quarters. I have something to
show you, and-no jokfng-I need your
advice
If you take it, it will be for the first
time," laughed good natured Courtney.
s'Lead on and don't lose any time in re-
1ieving this suspense. I'm not fond of
riddles, you know"
"Why, yesterday dropped into the sales
room at a London station. You know,
they sell off the uncalled for luggage at
intervals, and sale was just going on.
A number of the boys were there, and we
each commenced to bid for trunk. I
selected rather small one and-here we
are! Come right in and view the burden
of my woes. -
He led the way into a pleasant apart
ment and pointed to small leather trunk
which stood in the middle of the room.
open it, if you want to- he said.
"I've had enough of the COMPOUNDED thing.
It's full of woman's stuff, and what do
you suppose l can do with itP haven't
an aunt or a cousin in the wide world''
Keep it till you're married. Fred.
These seem to be good Clothes" said
Courtney, peeping into the box and lifting
dainty garments with half reverent
touch, in spite of his laughing face.
'Humphl The idea of such advice from
you! Why, old boy, shalI not marry for
ten years-fve anyway-and I'm not GO
ing to risk keeping these things here and
being taken for lady burglar Mrs.
Gaffrey would find them in spite of every
thing-srnell murder in the air and hunt
around for the skull bones No, I'll dump
the trunk in the river, that's what I win
do
'Pshawi You're too sensible for that.
These things cost money, lots of it, i'm
agine and you paid something for them
In the bargain. You might sell them to
the secondhand-no, I've better scheme
than that. Why not go through the trunk
systematically, find out the owners name
and address-there are surely letters or
something-and write to her, Offering her
the whole thing for a reasonable sump'
DO an act of charity, and yet turn an
honest penny. Any one would know you
are Scotch. But I must go back to the
store, and Here! You have all the time
there is; suppose you go through it for
me. All ask is that you will keep Mrs.
McGaffrey out Fare-dieu'' And off he
Went.
Courtney laughingly locked the door,
but the smiles soon left his face as he pro-
ceeded with his task. He wondered if the
little battered trunk had been lost in some
of the dreadful oatastrophes he had read
of. He imagined the owner killed and her
body as well as luggage unidentified in the
horrible excitement
They were girlish things-dainty wells
and ribbons, ginghams, silks and snowy
linen. He fingered over a small worn
slipper and felt thrill akin to that awak-
ened in Cinderella's prince.
No clew yet" he murmured. ssPer-
haps there are letters in this box''
Its catch was bent, but he wrenched it
open and out few-his own photograph
He sat down plump in box of laces and
stared. On the other side were his initials
and date he had been trying for three
years to forget, June 2, 1902
Nell Burr's trunkp' he exclaimed.
sob, my little girl, what has happened tc
you? Maybe some one No, here are your
initials on this belt buckle, and your
gloves were No. 8, and this slipper would
just fit your dear little FOOT
The young man grew excited and rap
furious over each article. Presently he lift
ed package of letters from one corner.
My own-and they express the greatest
happiness life ever brought me. They are
like the leaves that futter down in the
November rain. I wonder why she kept
them. How many there arel''
christening the cord, he turned the let
ters over and found many of the envelopes
scrubbed upon by familiar hand. There
were items Jotted down to be remembered
in answering, and scraps of poetry which
had not long since reached his eye and
been ever since cherished in his memory.
Upon the last one-for they were all num-
bered-was written in ink this girlish con-
fession, "Al Courtney, I love you, but
will never marry any one SO inconstant.
RestiDg his head on tho empty tray in
silence, he exclaimed:
!" was fool-a consummate fool-and
now perhaps she is dead.''
noise aroused him, and in a bewilder.
ed way he surveyed the garments strewed
on every side and gazed mournfully at the |
beautiful hat, through which he had run |
one foot, and the box of laces he had IN
consciously used for a cushion Fred |
would be coming IN few minutes He |
began repacking the things with ruthless |
haste, and slowing the letters in his own
pockets was lying lazily on the couch read |
ing the paper when his chum entered
WELL" he cried, ''what mystery did |
you unearthf"
mo mystery at all, was the deliberate |
answer. but the stuff, as you call it, is |
worth something and would be a regular |
gold mine to girl. I've notion to buy |
it from you and present it to my sisters.
What will you takef''
sOh, come! You're just doing that to |
help me out. know your benevolent old |
heart. No, I'll follow your first advice |
and hunt up the owner. 1t would be quite
romantic, and besides you limited that l |
might make shilling or two by it. You
found her name and address there, didn't |
you?'
Yes" Al reluctantly answered. 81
found her name and an address, but it is
hardly likely you could find her after so
many years. You know they keep luggage
a long time before it is sold''
s'I'm not sure about that" said Fred
'tIve thought about it all the morning.
and the idea grows on me. 1t will be rare
fun to Try, anyway. What did you saw
the name vast"
"But no doubt this girl was killed
luggage is seldom lost except by some s,lch