Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-12-27

! Campbell and Mary to keep Jenny from
going, she knew not whittier herself but
anywhere to be near and take one more
look at the dear old furniture as 1t pass
ed into the hands of strangers. At last
Mrs. Campbell promised that black Ezra,
who had accompanied her from Chicopee,
should go and report faithfully all the
proceedings and then Jenny consented to
remain at home; though all the day she
seemed restless and inpatient, wondering
how long before Uncle Ezra would re-
turn, and then weeping as in fancy she
saw article after article disposed of to
those who would know little how TO
prize it.
About five o'clock Uncle Ezra came
home, bringing a note from Ida, saying
that the carriage would soon be round
for Mary and Jenny, both of whom must
surely come, as there was pleasant sur
prise awaiting them. While Mary was
reading this Jenny was eagerly question
ing Uncle Ezra with regard to the sale,
which he said went off uncommon well,
going chiefly, he reckoned, ito tall and
mighty good-lookin' chap, who kept bid
ding up and up, till he got 'em about
where they should be. Then he'd stop
| for someone else to bid"
"Who was he?" asked Mary, coming
forward and joining Jenny.
Dun know, miss; never seen him
afore," said Uncle Ezra, but he's got
heaps of money, for when he paid for the
pianner he took out a roll Of bills near
about big as my two fistsp'
Then the piano is gomez said Jenny,
sadly, while Mary asked how much it
| brought.
'Three hundred dollars was the last
bid l heard from that young feller, and
somebody WHO was biddin' agin him said
twas more'n twas wuth."
1T wasn't, either" spoke up Jenny,
rather spiritedly. ut cost five hundred,
and it's never been hurt a bit"
"Mr. Bender bought that little fiddle of
yourn," continued Uncle Ezra, with pc
cullar wink, which brought the color to
Jenny's cheeks, while Mary exclaimed:
'Oh. I'm so glad you can have your
guitar againl'
| Here the conversation was interrupted
| by the arrival of the carriage, which
CAME for the young ladies, who were soon
on their way to Mr. Selden's, Mary won
dering what the surprise was, and Jen-
ny hoping William would call in the even
ing. At the door they met Ida, who was
unusually merry-almost too much so for
| the occasion, 1t seemed to Mary, as she
| glanced at Jenny's pale, dispirited face.
Aunt Martha, too, who CHANGED to cross
| the hall, shook Mary's hand as warmly
as If she had not seen her for year,
and then with her broad, white cap
| strings flying back, she repaired to the
| kitchen to give orders concerning the sup
per-
Mary did not notice 1t then, but she
afterward remembered that Ida seemed
quite anxious about her appearance, for,
following her to her room, she said, "You
look tired, Mary. Sit down and rest you
awhile. Here, take my vinaigrette-that
will revive you" Then, as Mary was
arranging her hair she said: "Just puff
out this side little more-there, that's
how you look"
"Well, how do I?' asked Mary facing
about as Ida directed.
II guess you'll do" returned Ida 81
believe Henry Lincoln was right when
he said that this blue merno and linen
collar was the most becoming dress you
could wear, but you look well in any
thing, you have so fine a form"
Don't believe all her fattery," said
Jenny, laughingly. "She's only compar-
ing your tall, slender figure with little
dumpy me; brt I'm growing thin-see,"
and she Tapped her dress two or three
inches in front.
"Come, now, let's 60 down." said Ida.
"And I'll Introduce you to Jenny's sur
prise first"
With Ida leading the way, they entered
the music room, where in one corner
stood Roses piano. open. and apparent
ly inviting Jenny to its side. With joy
full cry she sprang forward, exclaiming,
"Oh, how kind in your father; most
know we can redeem it some time. III
teach school-anyth to get it again"
Don't thank father too much," an
swered Ida, 'for he has nothing to do
with It, except giving it house room, and
one quarters teaching will pay that bill!'
''Who did buy it, then?" asked Jen-
ny; and Ida replied:
Cant tell you just yet I must have
some music first. Come, Mary, you like
to play. Give me my fayorite, Rosa
Lee,' with variations"
Mary was passionately fond of music.
and, for the time she had taken lessons,
played uncommonly well. Seating herself
at the piano she became oblivious to all
else around her, and when a tall figure
for moment darkencd the doorway,
while Jenny uttered a suppressed ex-
clamation of surprise, she paid no heed,
nor did she become conscious of third
persons presence until the group advanc-
ed toward her, Ida and Jenny leaning up
| on the piano and the other standing at
| her right, little in the rear. Think
| ing, If she thought at all, that it was Will
liam Bender, Mary played on until the
piece was, finished and then observing
that her companions had left the room,
she turned and met the dark, handsome
eyes-not of William Bender, but of one
who, with peculiar smile, offered his
hand, saying, II believe | need no intro
duction to Miss Howard, except slight
change in the name, which, instead Of