Smyrna times., 1908-11-11


thought yoa might write to that man
who wanted the blue BOWL have his
address. but l wouldn't dare write
and | could give you the bowl, and you |
could sell it to him. and tEcn-then you |
could bring me the money
"I'll buy it myself" said Beverly |
promptly. Il have never wanted but
one thing in my life more than l want
that bowl"
whats the other thingY Clarice
asked curiously.
Beverly looked down at her uncon-
sciOus face.
"Oh, WELL" he said at last, 81 won't
tell you until am sure 1 can get the
bowl"
"The man offered us $780," Clarice
said hurriedly. but shouldn't expect
ut now. l think $1OO will be enough"
Wen see," Beverly stated "If
you'll bring it l can put proper price
on it,
Come to the back door while l am
getting breakfast" Clarice directed
'Aunt Matilda is always asleep then"
Clarice getting breakfast was Won
derful. She wore an enveloping blue
| apron. and her sleeves were rolled back
from her white arms. She was stirring
the breakfast porridge as Beverly
came in.
I'D ask you to have some,' she said,
but we haven't any cream"
You wait" Beverly told her and
caught up a quaint pitcher. and pres
emily he was back with basket of
Strawberries, the cream and some rolls.
Clarice protested.
"Oh, you shouldn't
Beverly took both of her hands in
his.
Dear child" he said, "surely you
will let me do such a little thing"
The blue bowl was, even to Bever-
ly's unframed eye, a thing of beauty.
He insisted that Clarice should let
him pay the full 5000, but she would
not, and at last he made out a check
for $50 and handed it to her across
the table. and just at that moment a
sepulchral voice came from the door
way.
''Clarice, what, are you doing with
my blue bOwl?"
And there stood Aunt Matilda, look
ing as witchlike as possible in her
black dressing gown. with her gray
hair falling about her shoulders.
Clarice shrunk back. oh" she said,
Il thought you were asleepw
The old woman took Il step forward.
Il walked early" she said, land went
to look at my china. Something warn
ed me. And the blue bowl was miss
5 ing Give it to me at once"
= But it is not your blue bowl" Bev-
erly informed her. "Clarice has told
me that it belonged to her father and
| was left to her with other pieces. and
! now she has sold it to me-
"What?" Aunt Matilda shrie&ed
> ''Did you dare?"
: Clarice's head went up. 'It was
r mine, Aunt Matilda" she stated.
{ "But it breaks the set.'' the old wO
5 man moaned. "Clarice, give him bacl
! his money and give me back m!
t bOwlr'
+ She clutched at the coveted piece
but Beverly's hand restrained her.
:. 'There is only one way that you cal
have it," he said.
"And that?" she demanded eagerly.
S "You must let me marry your niece
She will then give you all the china
d and l will settle an income on you s.
that you can live comfortably and hir
8 woman to stay with you. And thel
q Clarice and will 60 out into the grea
world Ogether-Clarice"-
I He turned to the girl. and his eye
e pleaded.
"Oh," she whispered 'but hav
known you such a short time"
u "What is time to us?" he asked. IN
n mother will come to see you, my sis
d, ters, so that you may have no doubt a
u to my character. my circumstance!
d, and. as for the rest, surely you won
II send me away, CIarice?"
3 He held out his hands to her, an
presently she came to him, and he pU
one arm about her prOtectingly az
III turned to Aunt Matilda.
ID "And now" he asked. "will you tax
the bOwl?"
lp Aunt Matilda's eyes glOated over it.
Yes" she flung out.
III "And l will take Clarice," said Be-
erly joyOusly. and as Aunt Matild
ne hugged her treasure to her breast h
re bent and kissed the lady of his heart
he Keeping 1t Secret.