Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-05-13
The Highest
Bidder
A Washington Birthday
Story

BY CLARlSSA MAcKIE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
cintion 1911.


The gray clouds lowered over its
messy roof. and the naked elms creak-
ed dismally IN the bitter wind. The
small porch was on line with the
ancient fence and the land stretched
away In the rear-gnarled old fruit
trees. acres Of wornout pasturage aud
line OF dark cedars against the hort.
zon.
Austin Ely and his bride descended
from the station stage that had
brought them to the steps OF their
dumped in the small porch. the box
of supplies that Austin had prepared
ere they left the city stood at the door.
and the stage rolled away with the
driver pecring curlously back at them
over his fur clothed shoulder.
Austin looked up and down the lone.
~ road with It's scattering Of equally
dismal houses and shivcrcd lie bent
down and gathered his wife into his
strong young arms Dorothy. dear.
what sort Of place Is this TO bring
you to-" he demanded wrathfully. "a
poor beggar like me ought never to
marry. Well. you know, dear. Il isn't
fair to you TO start out in this old
rookery"
Dorothy placed her gloved hand over
his lips IL won't hear word against
your Uncle Bob's legacy. Just think
Of owning and occupying the oldest
house In the state. Why. tradition
says George Washington slept here
once when II was the best known
tavern on the post road. DO get out
that huge brass key and let us go In.
II Is bitterly cold ont here"
Austin brought out the key and
thrust Il in the lock. IF you had only
let me come on ahead and open up
the old place. Dorothy II partly
furnished and a warm fire for you
Tut TUT admonished Dorothy.
crowdlng into the narrow hall In his
wake you know very well I'm per-
fectly crazy over old houses. and
would never forgive you II you denied
me the pleasure OF rummaging out the
old stun In this place. oh. isn't TINT
the dearest old room, and see, Austin.
the enormous fircplace." She waltzed
gayly across the uneven floor. her teeth
chattering with the cold.
Her husband forced up the small
paned windows and threw back the
heavy wooden shutters. letting In the
cold light Of day. 1t was a long low
Il, x..tfl
striped paper. The furniture was very
old. and Its possession would have
made collector wild with joy. 4 pair
OF long settles. u large mahogany buff
fet, great round table to match with
the accompanying chairs. were placed
on the wide polished boards now
covered thickly with dust. The large
fireplace contained brass andlrons. and
on the chimncypiece were brass can
dlestlcks n long row of them-a dozen
In nil
Lets have fire at once suggested
Dorothy eagerly. I'VE can make this
room our headquarters till we are
settled"
at will be fine and dandy when
spring comes" said Austin dubously.
"but / don't know what you're going
ia do In the meantime. Dorothy. Here
IL is the 22d OF February, and April Is
long way of Won't you he lonclyf"
Dorothy smiled away his wistful
glance Lonely where you are?' she
said. And besides. think Of all the
chickens we're going Ia raise and Of
all the money you're going to make
next summer with your eggs and your
brollers"'
III we only had $500" he sighed.
Everything would come out all right !"
Come Ia the garrett with me and
see II we can't find another small
table for the south window ! can sit
there and sew while you're writing az
the big secretary think you're going
TO drag in here from the hall"
Together they mounted The steep
stairs 10 the low attic. redolent Of
cedar shingles. where innumerable
wasps crawlcd stickily "a and fro.
There are chests and chests aud
chests, Let me peep inside this old
hair covered one. Austin I'm sure IL
belonged 10 some eighteenth century
belle No. I'm not bit cold. How could
I he with these great warm chlmneys
jutting out into the garrett? All
Dorothy's ccstatlc cry was echoed
by Austln's prolonged whistle Of
amazcment M the beautiful garments
divulged 10y the lifting Of the lid OF
the hair trunk.
1.-TWO white wigs one for YOU and
one for me-" she cried delightedly.
tossing one to him and placing the
other. towering erection Of puffs and
curls. over her own sleek hair
Austin crammed on his wig just In
time to see his wlfc's rosy face beam.
ing nj him from under the Wilderness
Of the other, simultaneously they bent
IN stately greeting
Good morrow. Mistress Washing
ton" said Austin mischlevously.
"Ah. MIR. Washington" Dorothy
dipped splendid courtesy and sudden