The Washington herald., 1917-03-20

lars! Five I havel six-seven-sevenl
That's your bid. sir. Eight-ten-eleven-
twelve! Twelve-twelve! Sold! Same
buyer"
"oh. I wish you hadn't" unhappily.
They're not worth it!''
1854. Nine Water Tumblers. These
match the last two lots. F1veI Five
seven-fifty! Seven-hftyi Ten! Ten I
have! Twelve! Fourteenl Fourteen!
Sold! Sorry. sir. too late. Sold to the
same gentleman"
''oh. that was awful" in an anguished
whisper. "A dollar and a half apiece for
those tumblers! Over So-and it's a
broken set
'Ncut It'll You wanted them. didn't you7
Now what's next?'
There isn't anything before the linen
that's over a hundred lots yet You can't
wait, can you?' now nervously anxious
to get him away.
mo, have to get back to the ONCE.
I'll leave a bid for that desk Anything
you buy-give my name. and you needn't
make a deposit
"oh. they're going so high-I won't bid
on anything but the linen"
Warren gone. Helen instantly began
figuring on her catalogue. Thirty-four
glasses for $32-4 cents apiece. They
were worth that, Of course. but all they
really needed were six of each. And
breakage would never even up the set
for unfortunately there were less of the
tumblers-which would be used the most
The place was crowded and overheated.
Her head was beginning to ache. While
the china was sold she withdrew from
the crowd Trying not to think of their
extravagant purchase, she strolled about
the other rooms
Even the crystal chandeliers and warl
brackets bore a catalogue number There
seemed ruthless cruelty in the dis
mantling Of this fine old house.
II want to state that all this linen Is
monogramed," came the voice Of the
auctioneer. Nov. don't come to mo
after the sale and say you don't know
it There's no comeback on these goods
-everythtngs sold as is"
This was encouraging, thought Helen,
again wedging into the crowd. After this
depreciatory announcement surely the
linen would sell reasonable.
"47s, Twelve Hand-embroidercd Napkins
How much Three-s3! Five-five-sixl
Six I have! Seven-eight! Eight!
Helen gasped. She had bought new
napkins last month for 81 q dozen, only
everyday ones, Of course. These were ex-
quisitely nne, but s. for initiated napkins
that were not even new!
There were FIVE other lots Of twelve
napkins. none Of which went for less than
IS, and the tablecloths brought from five
to twelve.
Indignantly resentful at such prices.
twice Helen started to leave, but the
thought Of the linen sheets restrained
her. There was still the chance that
some OF those might go cheap.
The first lot of four embroidered sheets
went for five dollars each. Her resent
ment increased. Half dozen other lots
brought about the same price.
Then a lot OF three was put up, and
the bidding hung at two-fifty. With the
panicky aucnon-fright that always
gripped her. Helen ventured a timid
Three"
"Threel Three-ffty each" Then look
ing expectantly at Helen, Four"
She nodded: his glance seemed to i'm
pei acquiescence.
'Four-four! Sold! Sold for four dol
lars to the lady back there"
You can charge them to Mr.. Curtis"
murmured Helen when the attendant
came up for her name and deposit.
Four dollars apiece-twelve dollars for
three linen sheetsi That was cheau
enough, she reassured her leaping nerves
Yes, the next three lots are single
too came a voice behind her.
Single! She was staring at her cata-
logue. In parentheses, after the lot she
had bought. was the defaming word
SINGLE"
And the only single bed in their apart
ment was the maid'si
With sick inward sinking. she
wedged her way out through the still
straining crowd to the street
The monumental stupidity Of her own
purchase overshadowed the extrayaRance
Of Warren's. 1t was the last thing she
would ever buy at an auction-her regis
tered vow was vehement.
1t was misting. a drizzling mist, but
she walked on unheeding. At the cross
ing she was almost run over bv a mon
ster truck. The driver shouted angrily,
but she hardly heard.
Her mind was filled with a corrosive
thought She had paid twelve dollars
for linen sheets-that could be used only
on the MAIDS bed