The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1903-10-15
At A RUMMAGE
SALE
By SYDNEY PHELPS
By SYDNEY PHELPS
Copyright. 1903. by 7. @. Mcclure.

she thought OF the needed $50.
"How hateful all ones rich relations
always arer' l burst out. ~ believ,
they sell their things to old clothes
men,"
1--WE must do the best we can" sait
mother patiently. THE poor people
who get them will be pleased anyway
wonder II any one will look in AMI
help us at the SALE"
mo one." / answered, with convic
ton. Between hockey and"-
Hero worship" mother interrupted
laughing. "If we could only get join
Gray to come we would not have stand
ing ROOM"
| did not answer. John Gray wa.
just home from the Philippines. AS al
interesting convalescent and hero b.
was in great demand among the girls
But, though l had known him from
childhood, refused to add one to thu
ranks of his adorers, SO a GOODNESS ha6
fallen between my old playmate and
myself.
"Mrs. Denzil is in the parlor, ma'am,
said the maid, and we went in to be
cheered by the gayest little lady in the
town.
Mrs. Denzfl had a husband in the
Philippines and appeared to get along
very well without him. We would moi
have willingly spared that brilliant
face with its wealth of fair hair, auda-
cious blue eyes and wickedly curved
red lips from our midst. It was vain to
try to look askance at Mrs. Denzil, her
absolute frankness was 30 disarming.
"You look worried" she said. "What
is itY
EFT Is only our rummage sale" said
sadly. "The things which have been
sent in will bring but Q song, yet we
know Of no other way In which to raise
the money"
"Are mems things any use1 Why
not ask young Gray"
81 hardly liked to-" said mother.
"All right, will. He must have
heaps of things he doesn't want"
OF went Mrs. Denzil, promising to
write to John Gray and send us the re-
suits of her appeal. Sure enough, a
few days later she brought in her dog
cart a huge bundle which she opened
triumphantly.
There. l told you l would get some
thing out of him. Shoes-lots of them,
brown and black; two suits, very little
worn; socks, collars, ties"
"Splendid!' we said. Ibid he send
them all the way to your houseT
mo; told him l would call for the
bundle this afternoon. 1t was to be
ready in his own special sanctum. He
was out, but old Jenkins showed me in.
l found note from him asking II this
sort of thing would be of any use and
aging that If he wanted anything more
Jenkins could get it for me-"
Pursued by our grateful thanks, Mrs.
Denzil drove of in her usual whirl-
wind. She promised to come to our
sale next day and especially begged to
be allowed to act as auctioneer for
Gray's things.
Mother and l returned to the exam
ination of the bundle. Actually, two
Of his pipes" she said. How very
good of himw
/ said nothing, for just at that mo-
ment I had caught sight Of something
which gave me a sharp stab of pain.
Many years ago, when John Gray first
went to college, had worked its col
ors on a tobacco pouch. There had
been something more than mere kindli-
ness in our farewell on that occasion.
He surely need not have sent the pouch
to rummage sale.
The sale came of the next day. In
the midst Of a little argument with a
stout woman as to the value Of q red
flannel dressing sack mother said to
me:
"Clare, both Of the Whites have come.
That Is rather nice Of them. They have
brought another girl with them"
II looked up and smiled at the three.
Just then. to my surprise, the daughter
Of our bank president appeared, fol-
lowed closely by fairly representative
gathering of the young ladies of the
There must be some mistake" |
thought. ''They must think there is an
to follow"
Just then 1 heard Mrs. DenziPs voice.
Here l am" she said, SIN plenty of
time. Hurry up, girls; the auction is
going to begin. Can have a chair put
on that table? Thanks. The handle of
my riding whip will be the hammer"
And, ffnging herself with rapture into
the part, she began the auction.
The buyers were as wax in her
hands.
Look at these ties" she said in tones
Of ardent admiration. college colors, |
club colors, rainbow colors. Girls, you
will never forgive yourselves II you let |
such chance as this slip. Six ties, all |
worn-well worn. Did hear you say a |
quarter, Miss Smith, Oh, I hope not. |
could not listen to such an offer from |
you. Fifty cents, Linda. That is bet |
.er, but not good enough" In the end |
The extracted an offer Of $3.50 from the |
bank presidents daughter. Never ence |
lid she mention the name Of the donor |
# the effects. and the ladies gazed In
amazement at each others
frantic bids.
"This pair of boots" Mrs. Denzil pur-
ued, was worn in the Philippines"
This was entirely untrue, but the
pigt,ed bidding ensued. and another
irl became their proud possessor at
ne extravagant price Of $3.50.
At last to my mingled relief and
age, the little tobacco pouch was held
loft In Mrs. Denzips grasp. / had de-
lded to buy back again my despised
LIT II only for the pleasure of seeing
burned.
"a tobacco pouch-lookr' said the
ay voice. What menSOries may sur
ound itg'
twenty-five" squeaked Linda
Yhite.
Fifty" growled.
Mrs. Denzil nearly dropped the pouch
/ amazement at my Intervention.
zone dollar" from the Oldest Miss
myth.
"One twenty-five" said. my cheeks
RWNH- -