Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-09-26

lirl became their proud possessor at
the extravagant price of $3.50.
At last, to my mingled relief and
rage, the little tobacco pouch was held
aloft in Mrs. Denzils grasp. l had de-
cided to buy back again my despised
gift if only for the pleasure of seeing
it burned.
ga tobacco pouch-look" said the
gay voice. "What memories may sur
round itv'
twenty-five" squeaked Linda
White.
Fifty" l growled.
Mrs. Denzil nearly dropped the pouch
in amazement at my intervention.
"One dollar" from the oldest Miss
Smyth.
zone twenty-five" I said, my cheeks
burning Through the hush could
hear mothers surprised voice:
"Clare, my dear!'
How long that horrible auction lasted
l do not know. l only know that at
last at the cost of S. which l could i'll
spare the horrid little pouch became
once more my own property. The rest
Of the scene is dream to me.
When all the lots were disposed of
all the girls quietly withdrew, each
eying her neighbor with stern distrust
Mrs. Denzil sat down and laughed
till the tears ran down her cheeks. DO
you know how l did it?" she asked. Il
told each Of them-in the strictest con-
fdence-that some trifes belonging to
John Gray were going to be sold. They
thought they would pick up some little
souvenir cheaply, but"-and she care
fully weighed purse in her hands-'I
don't think they did, exactly" :
turned toward the big fireplace. I
would get rid of that pouch at once.
The door flew open, and John Gray
burst in ooh, I say, Mrs. Denzil, l
came rushing down to see whether by
mista Ike one or two little articles had
not been put into that bundle of mine"
"Oh, l hope / did nothing wrong"
she said lightly. 81 only added one or
two nondescript things"
"Would you tell me whether two of
lily pipes WCIc Cn1Ou9 IACu6
Eyes, but they were both quite old
ones, am sure" said Mrs. Denzil.
'Then if you don't mind l will buy
them back myself. They were favor
ties of NINE"
Mrs. Denzil looked very thoughtful.
'Miss Mortimer bought one and Miss
Rawson the other, but no doubt they
wonld be delighted for you to have
them back"
The young mans face was a study.
''There was one thing more"-he grew
very red and looked across to where l
stood rigidly by the fire watching the
slow flames struggling with the rem
nants Of their prey-"a little tobacco
pouch" he said.
every shabby" said the lady firmly;
''quite a disgrace to you. That is why
I took it."
"But really want that back again, "
he urged. "Please tell me who has it."
"You had better ask Clare" she said.
'sNIrs. Warren and / have to make out
our accounts"
She drew mother out into the hall.
John Gray strobe over to me. l never
saw such a slow fire in all my life.
"Do you know where it is, Clare" he
began, and then his eyes fell on the
CRATE. One end of bit of gray fabric
still ornamented with a shield lay
among the coal.
"You burned it?' he asked reproach--
fully. "Why?"
I could find nothing to say.
"Clare, you could not have thought
that meant to give that to any char
ity under the sum-" (.
Still no answer.
He bent over until he could look into
my downcast face
"Clare," he cried, and even in my be-
wilderment I heard the note of joy in
his voice. Then he took me in his arms,
and 1 straightway forgot that there
had ever been such thing as rum
mage sale.