The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-06
The Evening Story
Rummage! Runmage!
(By Robert Jay:O

Rummage! Rummage!
! s(By Robert Jay.0
| Sinclair Knox was spending the
day in a small village on the north
| shore Of Long Island. The. business
he had come to transact had taken
only a lew moments OF his time and
he had learned. on going to the ferry
| landing, that he would have to wait
till s o clock in the afternoon for an
other boat. It was late in the season
and the ferry ran very much accord
| ing to the whim Of the captain.
| The town did not promise to offer
| much excitement, but the stranger
took a turn along the shore and then
returned to the village square. 1m-
Fthat: stood about the entrance to the
chapel of a good-sized church on tho
main street. He crossed the road and
stood opposite the gathering OF in
habitants, and presently a very hand
| some young woman appeared with a
cloth sign. which she tackled to the
door. Then she opened the door and
| the crowd rushed in.
Sinclair Knox then stepped across
the street to read the sign. rum
mage Sale Friday and Saturday un-
der the auspices Of the Ladies' Aid
Society was what he read. He had
heard of rummage sales but he had
never come In contact with one.
| Trying to decide whether or not to
go in and broaden his knowledge Of
lage churches, he strolled up the
street. AS he retraced his steps he
took courage when he saw man en-
ter the chapel.
1T can't do me any HARM" he de-
cided. land can't find anything more
exciting around these haunts'
And then in the back of his mind
| lurked the image OF that young wom-
an who had tackled up the sign and
thrown open the doors. She must be
never could be classed with the rum
mage he soliloQuized a. he drew close
to the edifice. s
| The sound of a deep, vibrant voice
entreating some one to step up to the
! table and look at the wonderful bar
gains entirely settled Sinclatr's mind
He would go in.
| long tableful of wearing apparel
stood on one side of the room. Other
tables held hats and boots. and in a
corner stood furniture, ranging In de-
sign from Jacobean to modern mission.
There were ruffledt silk skirts, and
there were infants bootees. There
were plush albums and Florentine
frames; and the patrons Of the rum
mage sale rummaged mercilessly
among the goods.
! The girl behind the table of wear
/
smiled as he entered. She knew at
once that curiosity must have brought
him thither. She watched him with
an amused smile as he eyed with in
terest the persons who were attend
! ing the sale.
church society came to assist tho
young woman, and each one stood be-
hind a table and tried to sell her
wares. 1t was most unique sight to
Sinclair Knox.
| He wanted to 1inger and the only
excuse he could find was to pretend
to be looking for something. Moth
ing that he could be expected to want
came to his mind. At last a thought
flashed into his head. He stepped to
the young woman who had first been
in charge.
do you have such thing as IA
IAN antique picture frame with a
well, with French print, perhaps ?''
he inquired. with hesitation.
"I'll see." the girl said in a most
charming manner. I'VE have almost
everything. think And she led the
way to another table.
Cora. have you seen any old
French prints anywhere ?" she asked.
smiling meaningly at another young
Don't go to too much trouble" adj
monished young Knox at her side.
| ON, that's what we're here fOr,''
said the young woman behind the
table. IT'S no trouble-if we have
ln!"
i Both girls searched every available
spot for something resembling the
young mans specification but the
fonly thing that could be found was an
old hand wrought copper miniature
i frame that had been stripped of ita
y picture.
I Sinclair took it. ITS hardly a French
prints it?n he laughed.
sHardlyv' both girls echoed, with
laughter
but it's not bad Knox admitted
mot with the right girls picture in
it, the young woman behind the table
suggested.
Sinclair looked at the other girl for
a moment. and then. his eyes on the
frame in his hand. said: ''I'll buy II
at your own price il I may have-a
Licture-in It,"
Yours, Gerry. yours!' cried Flor
ence Moore. catching her friend by the
arm. And Wen charge pretty penny
for it,
i TT is for the church. you know, -
reminded the young man. IT'S in q
good cause
| Geraidne Bonner.s lace was covered
with b1ushes, but her friend was whis-
periDg in her ear. Sinclair stood aside.
s.FHther," Geraldine began, but Flor
ence clapped her hand quickly over
her mouth.
Father need know nothing Of it. TN
put In that picture you gave me. ]
lean easily have An0theF.
] Sinclair looked inquiringly It Ger