The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-07
IHHLRLSE
(Continued.)

(Continued.D
 The sale was not a success. When Crunden saw the needy, seedy, greedy
 Londoners that had been imported al
 such vast expense, his expectations dropped again. Men of straw-tha' was the only name for Griggss ticket- holders It is part of builders bus iness to recognize, and avoid treaty with, men of straw; from them come the half of all builders disasters. Old Crunden hated and abhorred men of straw, and he saw them now troopins up the new road in dozens. Any re- maining hope must be in the solidity of guests invited by Bowling and Jack, or collected by the profuse ad- vertising in the London Press
 The luncheon, however, was most successful. Charles the major -domo, Drake the caterer, and Jack the wine steward and master of ceremonies, all played their parts well. Jack particu- larly distinguished himself. by his af- liability, winning all hearts making everybody feel happy and at home' There were speeches and toastings: MT. Douglas J. Grigg, at the top or one of the tables, gave a rousing ora tion; MT. CrunIen's health was drunk standing; Mir. vfrcents health was drunk informally. speech again and ,,din.
 The great sensation of the day was Undoubtedly the RosencrantZ cham pagne. It was truly dreadful stun-- like burning ice. like frozen hot punch, like sugar turned into gas-and it's froth was quite wonderful. It made people sneeze. It loaned and fizzed and bubbled; it sent it's corks nearly through the canvas roof. It banged like a gun, 1t :sushed like a fountain, 1t steamed like a geyser. Crunden tossed off very little of it and then drank tumblers of soda water, one af- ter another, as fast as he could. But the men of straw loved it. could not have too much of it: "A glass of wine with you, Mir. Vincent" Your health, sir" "Mr. Vincent. I look towards you.
 Then, at last, tables were cleared. trestles carried out; rostrum and lofty seat were set up. and Mir. Douglas J. Grigg. hammer in hand, smiled down upon the assembly. But no lots went of. The lots were less like cakes than stones-rocks immovably fixed to mountain sides. which even such fire as Rosencrantz could not blow away.
 Just at first all seemed as 1t should be. The first three lots seemed to be knocked down at real hotTcake speed. But MT. Griggs subordinate. who hur- ried to take the bidders name, had to return with tidings of confusion and annoyance. It was old Mir. Selby, who, with his young wife, had lunched to repletion, and who was not now bid ding but merely nodding his head in token of ease, gratitude, universal friendilness, etc.
 .No, no. my la'ad," he. said to Mir. Douglas J. Grigg, when challenged from the rostrnm. We're a clever ia'ad, but ye won't ca'atch me tripping. No bid. was but nodding me head. No bid"
 Not a single lot was sold in the Mar uuee.
 It was the evening of Champagne Day, and it seemed to Lizzie. Crunden that history repeated itself. Supper tonight was laid in the big room; it was long past supper time; she and her father were waiting for the young man who did not come. Lizzie was Thinking of a night in the far-off past when they had thus waited: and as she thought of 1t she shivered.
 ssshall I dish up?" asked Mrs, Price, with long face.
 .'Yes," said Crunden gloomily; Eve ean't wait for ever. He'll be here per- haps as soon as we begin"
 Then father and daughter ate their supper in almost unbroken silence. MT. Crunden was bearing the days disap- pointrnent stoically He looked grave and stern, and his forehead was puck cred: but when Lizzie spoke to him, his brow relaxed. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. I'm not fret ting, Liz" he said valiantlS. T didn't expect much result from it; but I felt I ought to try it." Of course he must be depressed in spirits; but be was so brave that If there had been&apy one here to cheer him, he could nave en- joyed his supper after the long. fruit . ss day. It was unkind. thought Liz unkind of the supper guest to fail him. She could not her self cheer him. her thoughts. in spite of efforts to restrain them, were drawn back into the far-off time; it was as If all this was an ugly dream which she was forced to dream for the second time. She wondered if he, too. thought of the night when they sat waiting for brother Dick. She was sure that Mrs. Price was thinking of it.
 Mrs Price, with a shawl over her head, had trotted down the road to Mrs. Gates, and on again nearly to the bridge. seeking news or sight of the laggard. Now she was back again, asking her questions in most mourn full tones.
 Have you finished. sir? Shall take away sir?"
 sNo; leave the things-for the sake of good manners. It would look odd if he came and saw the table bare."
 Lizzie pulled the armchair to the corner by the fire. brought her father his pipe and tobacco jar, and watched him as thoughtfully he filled the pipe. Watching him, her pretty eyes filled with tears, and she laid her hand upon his head and strokedS his coarse grey hair. The hair was white upon his temples. Looking down at him, she thought suddenly that he was quite