The Parker post., 1916-07-15
THE RUMMAGE SALE
By HOPE AINSLIE.

umbrellas, band-DOXeS 1ull or Olu naCS
and pieces of hats, saucerS without
any cups and cups without any sau-
GERS, and a motley collection Of out
of-date mems and women's clothing
such was the array of articles that
, Molly Bergen found in the living room
one cool morning in November when
she returned from her usual trip to
the village.
Whatever on earth'-she began,
pulling off her gloves and slipping out
of her sport coat.
Her mother anticipated her ques-
ton. Those are for the rummage
sale for the benefit of the old peoples
home" Mrs. Bergen was sitting at
her desk laboriously rubbing the
names off from Christmas and Easter
and other seasonal cards, I'm get
ting these cards ready, too, I've saved
them ever since before you were born.
There are many hundreds of them
and most of them | can use. We can
sell them. for five for cent. Some
one will want to buy them"
Molly drew her chair to the open
fireplace and stretched out her hands
to the blaze. Have you heard the
news, mother?" she asked by way Of
announcing that there was news to
tell The Stanleys' house is opened
again. Yes, it is Tom Stanley, l
think, though | know you don't agree
with me when / say that he is quite
the best looking man that l ever saw.
/ know what you are going to say.
You're going to say that it isn't be-
coming for young, eligible girl to
make complimentary remarks like
that about men-you weren't going to
say it just that way, but that would
have been the gist of it. But really
you mustn't mind, All girls are quite
frank about those things nowadays"
Il wasn't going to say that at all"
assured the mother I'm sure Mr..
Stanley is very handsome, but don't
imagine for minute that the heir to
that large fortune is going to be one
little bit interested in a little country
mouse like you
I'm not country mouse at all.
Haven't l been away to boarding
school? Anyway, I've met that Stan
ley man and he's fine. His cousin was
at boarding school-not that he cared
at all for her She was engaged at
the time. He dropped around to see
her once or twice. | met him. But
what were you going to say?"
Simply that your remark gave me
an idea that l might telephone there
for a bundle of rummage. l am sure
they have plenty of old things that
they don't want that would sell very
easily"
No one is there but old Tom and
the man who drives his car. Old man
hates the country. Son adores it.
He's making the old house head
quarters for hunting trip. Just gets
in the village on the eleven-seven and
starts out hunting again this after
noon. That's what the village gossips
say"
Before Molly had finished, Mrs. Ber
gen had picked up her desk phone to
get into communication with the Stan
ley house. Her voice was sweetness
personifed when she spoke.
Mr.. Stanley, excuse me for phon-
ing the minute you arrived, but we are
giving rummage sale, beginning this
afternoon, for the benefit" and so
she went on with her honeyed words
Of explanation.
AS a matter of fact, the telephone
bell had been ringing when Stanley
arrived at the house. Tom had
dropped the armful Of paraphernalia
that he had with him on the front
porch to hurry in to answer the call
There was chance that it was impor-
tant business news from New York
Meantime his one-time chauffeur, who
was active as chief cook and bottle
washer and boon companion on the
proposed hunting trip, had stopped at
the village for provisions and Tom had
dismissed the station taxi
I'm sure l can dig up something.
Old books we have lots Of Tom said
over the phone. And / have trunk
full of old clothes somewhere. I'll
get my man to hunt them up. Moth
ing very wonderful, of course, for we
have to wear our clothes till they are
worn out, but perhaps they will be
Salable for a few cents. l really
wouldn't dare to give you anything
from around the house, though l am
quite sure there are loads Of useless
things, but when my sister comes out
next time she might discover that l
had given away all the family heir
looms. I'll send my man over with
the bundle"
please don't bother" Mrs. Stanley
replied. 81 shall be delighted to stop.
You may be away on your trip. In
that case, leave the bundle on the
front veranda. My daughter will run
down in the car. My daughter says
she has met you. No. indeed, | should
really rather have her stop for them
Tom Stanley experienced a decided
lV agreeable turn If memory at the