The Red Cloud chief., 1901-05-24

We'll" said another. II don't see
what ON earth she's goiu' to do when
she's sold her furniture. should "a
thought she'd kept it and took summer
boarders from the city. That furniture's
real good II It's old. NV land, Age
amt nothin' ag'inst stun like that in
the sQuire's house. That's the kind
that gifts better instead Of worse. Amt
no imitation bout IT neither, Every
stick Of it's the real genuine wood"
MARIA worked industriously. Before
the afternoon had gone. several hand
some. old-fashioncd pieces had re-
ccived shining coats OF varnish, and
cleaned anew with restored beauty.
Loretta Wilkinson arrived bright
and carly on the evontful day, and II
she noticed the closed up appearance
Of certain portions Of the house, she
said nothing. but had her thoughts.
why, Maria. wherc'd YOU git that
stoyo?' said She, as she caught sight
Of Il peculiar object IN the wOod-shed.
THAT amt never your show-oT parlor
stove, is it,
YES, Lorctty. 1t is" answered
Nldlld. W BCl bIt III lutlt' NOu
know, and this onc amt nothin' but
a relic, you might say. I'm most in
hopes nObodyll buy II, for that's the
one thing | cant bear To part with;
but | amt thinkin' bout it any more'n
| can help"
Ii was n curious article. On top
was a mirror mounted like any chif-
fonier mirror. and at each side was
a blue glass vase.
Them held grasses most OF the
time" explained Maria, and how
many times I've seen pa shave himself
in front Of that glass, with his Shawn
cup set there to keep warm on the
side. But that was fore We had the
stove in the parlor; after the stove was
moved in the parlor we kept u fire in
1t only on some occasions, and ma
used TO joke me about my sparks: but
faint a subject | can talk about to
nobody"
Yes, | know" said Loretta. "lou
was thinkin' bout Jed. II ! was you, |
wouldn't sell il 'thout I'd got to-"
Maybe ] can't let it go, Loretty, but
well see. There. There's some folks
come already, and Abe Fishers lead
in the way TO the barns"
The day was clear and cold. Notices
Of the auction had been circulated far
and wide, and many farmers and their
wives had driven in from the sur
rounding towns, bent on procuring
something from the squire's place. The
kitchen and sitting-room were well
filled during the greater part Of the
day, and the steaming coffee and the
new d~oughuuts found ready consum-
ers. Curiosity had brought many, not
only TO the grounds, but into the
house itself. for the reputation of the
squire's possessions had led many TO
see for themselves IL the house was
stripped from cellar to garnet. or
whether, as some affirmed, Miss Maria
had loads OF much better stun she
wouldn't think OF selling. The closed
doors Quenched the ardor OF those in
tending a general survey Of the house
but the fact that the coffee was served
in Mrs. Fairchild's best old-fashioned
s%prigged china cups, conveyed the idea
that there must be lots OF valuable ar
ticles retained by the present owner.
Ihe afternoon was half gone, and
most OF the things were sold. Dishes,
substantial milk-cans bearing the
squire's name, sleighs, carriages, and
many articles besides the farm-tools
and the furniture had been purchased,
and yet the stove remained in its cor
ner OF the wood-shed. Maria saw IL
as she passed through on errands, and
thought she would say nothing about
ii IL Abe Fisher did not see it. She
had fully decided she could not let /.
e.
A little later, as she was getting a
cup OF coffee for a %neighbor. her glance
fell on the group outside the window
and she saw with dismay her stove
dragged up for display. With a cry SHE
darted through the door and up to the
auctioneer.
1t so! It's jest the only part Of my
life can't get away from. You musn'
put it up"
It's on the list, Maria" said Abe
land it'll sell all right"
Il know it, Abe, but it's like sellir
part of me. II is part OF me, YOU
, know" she cried wildly. "Oh. no. |
, you sell that, | go with it,"
> Then I'll bid my hull stock o
worldly goods for it," said a lout
> voice, and elbowing his way through
, the crowd. a stranger took Maria Fair
! child in his arms.
It's Jed Tompkins!" gasped tn
members OF the group.
Yes, sir" laughed Jed, land he
here jest in time to buy up the mos
valuable thing in the lot. And Sc
! here, you folks, anythin' Maria want
I back, I'll buy from you, fer m.
moneys hers and she's got a forum
: OF her own, too, may as wall say
to cut matters short, that her fathe
l. privately made over his property t
" me, some years ago. On condition tina
9 ia keep away and not marry Mari
q till he was dead, as he couldn't spar
: her. I've only Jest heard of his deatt
y bein' on a long trip out West, an