The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-06-18

But Henderson only half-hoard VIII
lis. for he was taking stock OF the
situation With start he noticed that
the auction had begun. but IL was only
a lowered sofa pillow which the May
or was describing TO the audience rs
~combing comfort with elegance" and
the young mans attention wandered
away. He was looking for Natalie
Plat. and presently caught sight OF
her fair head and graceful figure. She
was standing behind her graceful stall.
now deserted. like the others. and
trifing with the ribbon OF a basket OF
candy, apparently unconscious Of the
auction. Miss Plat knew what was
coming. But where were her sympa-
thiesi
There's Dickson" whispered Willis,
and Henderson looked in the direction
in which he pointed. His rival was
standing at quite the opposite side OF
the crowd Owing to the position OF
Miss Platt's booth. Henderson doubted
II Dickson could see the girl without
leaving his position. and this he was
inclined to consider an advantage
Just at that moment, however. Hen
derson stopped thinking about the ar
rangement OF things, for suddenly he
felt Willis hand on his arm, and
turned just in time TO hear the jocu.
lar Mayor begin: And now II gives
me peculiar satisfaction, ladies and
gentlemen" after which Henderson
heard Natalie Platt's name. but lost
the rest in taking iii the painting
which the Mayor was holding aloft.
And he saw what II was. Henderson
knew that there would be no truce in
the contest for its possession. For the
painting represented its author her
self.
Responding to some little impulse Of
vanity. Miss Plat had chosen TO por.
tray herself i'm a character OF whose
attractiveness she had been assured
times enough-that of skipper of the
little dingy Of which. when summering
at her family's place in Maine, she was
wont to be captain, mate and all
hands. OF course, the girl artist had
not given the pictures subject her own
face-though evidently she had work
ed from photograph-but the rest of
the figure was life-like enough to be
recognized by any one who knew Nata-
lie Plat well, not to mention any one
who happened TO love her. There she
was. jtst as Henderson had looked
back at her so many times as they
raced before the wind her figure
slightly bent forward as she held the
sheet with one hand and the tiller with
the other. her dark blue skirt drawn
tightly about her limbs. while tendrils
OF her luxuriant hair blew out glor
! iously from beneath her crimson tam
o'-shanter. II was enough, Hender
son wanted that picture as he had
! wanted few things before. and he
Z doubted not that Dickson felt similar
I ly.
The auctioneer still was praising the
z painting to his audience, so Henderson
had time for another glance round the
room. And he thrilled again as he saw
that the girl Of his Observation-Disclosures
her little pose Of Inconsistencies
was now leaning upon the counter OF
her stall and watching the proceedings
with an interest which she made nc
attempt to disguise He felt his eye:
feast upon her for one instant more
after which they sought Dickson
Through the dense crowd Henderson
could just see his rival. standing be
element written upon his handsome
face, and his eyes riveted upon the
picture in the auctioneers hand
And then suddenly, the Mayors de
mand for bids was replied TO by Wig
orous call Of zone dollar," from IN,
center Of the crowd Two dollars.
from Dickson. and the battle was on
Five dollarsl" Henderson's voic,
rang out. and almost Immediately the
bidder in the crowds center respond
ed. Ten dollars'"
Fifteen" came from Dickson.
Twenty" This offer was made b.
smiling woman who stood near tn,
platform.
Make It twenty-five" whispered
Willis TO Henderson. and Henderson
called out, twenty-five"
Thirty" came from Dickson.
Forty" flung back his rival
Perhaps the two young mems voices
had betrayed their eagerness, at al
events IL was now patent to Henderson
that even such of the spectators as di,
rot know him and Dickson had real
lied what was going on. and that h,
and his rival were being regarded witt
| loOhS vi dHihStultnls lulHEitu Will
curiosity, as TO which would prove tn
winner. All this the young man tool
in at lightning glance while he wait
ed for Dickson's next bid, but thei
they were interrupted.
Evidently the Mayor had decide,
that he personally was playing a les
prominent part than was desirable II
this particular episode Of the sale. 70
he now interpolated speech which
apparently was designed TO lend a fur
Their touch of humor to the proceed
ings.
Ladies and gentlemen" he began
in dulcet tones, "a word, a word,
begl | esteem highly the modest OF
fers that have thus far been made. bu
evidently the attractions Of this wor
OF art which | am offering have no
appealed to YOU with that force whicl
might have been expected A gem 0
purest ray serene. this picture. m
friends. for which the lowest possibl
further bid should be. in my opinion
not less than twenty dollars in ad
vance Of what has been offered. Il
this way"
by George," gasped Henderson
henchman. turning upon that youn