The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-12-10

announced defantly. 81 saved them
on purpose for you. Philip. so you'll
have to take them. Now, you mustn't
detain me a minute longer. I've got
loads of other places to go to. See
you at the bazaar"
"But l can't call before began
Philip, abruptly tearing in two sew
eral small pieces Of blue cardboard.
"No, you can't" interrupted Shirley.
laughing. 'sI'm too busy. If you need
any more tickets, Philip, let me know.
Goodby."
The bazaar opened with a blaze of
social glory and continued its trium-
plant career for one entire week
The center of attraction was "Shir-
ley Burnett's little portable house." AS
it came to be called before the bazaar
was half over There 1t stood at one
end of the long hall, immaculate and
dainty in it's coat of white and vel
low, defying any one to find fault with
it and inviting every one to come in
for the small price of 5 cents.
Every one wanted to go in and re-
main to exclaim over it's coziness. Not
a corner of it was left UNEMPLOYED,
from the little living room with its
artistic wicker furnishings to the d.
minutive kitchen with it's miniature
cook stove and shining rows of brand
new pans and kettles.
And nearly every one fingered long
enough to have tea, which Shirley
served out on the porch with just as
gracious hospitality as if she weren't
charging the exorbitant sum Of 10
cents a cup for it. The little portable
house proved most paying PROPOSE
ton.
And when the very last night of the
bazaar it was put up at auction there
were spirited bidding and much ex-
element.
-Four hundred and ninety dollars
four hundred and ninety dollars"
called the auctioneeer impressively,
"for this beautiful little house with all
it's furnishings complete. Come, gen.
tlemen. Some one make it five hun
dred. Going, going-five hundred, do
1 hear? Thank you, sir. Gone at five
hundred to the gentleman over there
on my right. VIII he please step for
ward and give his name"
Shirley, who had been watching the
scene from a window Of the living
room, suddenly disappeared as the
crowd parted to give the purchaser
right of way.
A few minutes later Philip Evans
found her sitting on the kitchen table
making pathetic little dabs at sus-
piciously red eyes.
"Why, Shirley Burnettw he exclaim.
ed. whats the matter? You ought
to be the proudest girl in the world"
"Well, I'm not" Shirley answered
disconsolately. "I'm the most miser-
able. / can't bear to think of any one
else having this little house. 1 want
it myself. I just love 1t. Don't you
think the porch is the cutest thing you
ever saw, Philip? Can't you just
imagine sitting out on it away off
somewhere in the moonlightT
Philip nodded. Somehow he couldn't
trust himself to speak.
"And the dear little living room
isn't it the budgiest little room you
ever saw, Philip?
Philip wasn't quite sure what "budg-
iest'' meant, but he nodded again.
"And as for this little toy Kitchen"
Shirley ended dramatically, patting
nearby saucepan affectionately, 81
adore everything in it! Don't you,
Philip
Everything" answered Philip SOL
EMMY, "and you, sweetheart. most of
all. Oh, Shirley, can't you say the
sameY
For moment Shirley looked at him
as If dozed. Then, her eyes sparkling
with happiness and her cheeks grow
ing roster and roster. she said softly
and slowly, 81 adore everything In this
little kitchen, and you, sweetheart,
most Of all"
you're quite sure, dearest" Philip
questioned a few minutes later as, at
Shirley's request, he held up the little
kitchen mirror while she rearranged
her much rumpled hair, "that you love
me just as much as you love the little
houseY
"It's your deadliest rival, Philip"
she answered playfully, ''but just to
prove to you that it won't count any
more I'm congratulate whoever
bought It. There, 1 couldn't say more.
Who Is he?"
"You don't known gasped Philip,
unable to believe his ears.
81 don't want to see the monster"
explained Shirley. "Just as soon as I
heard that fatal word Gomez I ran
out here, where you found me. Phil
ip," she broke off excitedly, 81 have
the grandest inspiration! Let you and
me get another house just like this
and spend our honeymoon in II. I
think could get one quite cheap for
you"
"But, you see," confided Philip
meekly, give already bought this
One."
"Why, Philip Evansv exclaimed
Shirley, hugging him hard. 81 don't
believe 1t. Aren't you a lover
An English Opinion.
London Is full Of foreigners" writes
n cOrreSDOndent Of the London ChrOu.