Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-04
OR WOMEN-A DOLLS WARDROBE TRUNK-CYl
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
CRANDFATHER'S CLOCK
BY Josephine Murphy

InowNsTAIRS in the salesroom the
~ auctioneer had become quite tired of
telling intending bidders that It was mot
for SALE" He had explained that II be-
| longed to lady who had acted as COM
panion to the late owner OF the house.
, She was still occupying one room in
the house and had not had time to re-
move all her things before the sale, and
so the clock had remained in It's usual
place in corner landing.
the auctioneer was preparing to take
do%9 %n, the ma name OF the last purchaser,
man Never mind writing 1t down (;
here Is my card. BY tho way, do you
mink It would be any use to send It in
70 the lady upstairs? I am very curious
10 see the clock they are all making such
russ about. I have not troubled 10
view the things, as l noticed In the cata-
iogue that the cabinet was the only thing
worth buying. However, I will run up
ana have look at the clock. and II |
take a fancy to It, perhaps 1 may come
TO terms with the owner"
whoever wants to buy that clock
WI VII have to marry the owner" replied
roar Of applause greeted his remark.
and, amid the merriment of a room full
or people he made his escape upstairs.
AZ frst glance he recognized It TO be
one one OF rare make. 1t struck the hour of
tour' and Its voice sounded TO him like
me eoho Of another clock that had
struck in the long ago.
II awoks old memories, asIeep for
many years. And now for a few min.
otes Dir. Richard D., the wealthy
rJ nne.cnant ana connoisseur. was dead,
and plain Dick D., tho farmland of
stead. ia "''
once moro It was haymatlng time,
and he and his companions tired out
tho hon sne!r Gays work. were sitting at
t,t, sne supper table in the farmhouse
Kitchen. waited upon by Farmer rs
pretty daughter, Esther.
once more he could feel his heart
oeating and keeping time to the tick
OF the grandfather clock that fitted so
well in the corner
Memories Of happier days which he
and Esther spent together, the only
drawback to his happiness being that
the old clock was ticking away the
precious minutes. Then had come the
'HEIsue,srahains He eaTua III and they had parted.
How silly for him TO indulge in such
sentimehta! reveries. The past was
dead and buried; what need TO dig IL
up again? "S
Yet how strange It was that he had
cept in connection with her. And all
.hese years he had overlooked the fact
that II must have been one OF great
value. He wondered II It was still !
.icking IN It's old place In the corner, |
she sat In tho farmhouse, hapnJIv eur!
rounded by her husband and children
Ot course she had married Timothy
Blake. He remembered It was through |
MIN they had quarreled.
AZ this moment the door at the far
end Of the landing opened and n woman
came out. N " "o''ia"
She paused in front Of him and said.
Excuse me. sir; that clock belongs to |
me, and .s not for sale"
his card case fell to the floor, and |
THE auctioneer told me '0 the c,oc,,
was not FOR sale, but l thought YOU |
might sell it If I made you a good
IT would not Sell It for anv or,e- ="
she replied. THE clock has associa. 4
tlons for, me and is a memento Of the
hasppy days gone by. In fact" She
ADDED sadly. ut is the only voice left
past ~ ''i' oue Oh the
4''io"eu
She seemed surprised and annoyed by
but turned away.
II am sorry II I have hurt your feel
ings by my offer, Mrs. -" He hest
tatsd "SI,Ss over the last word.
him and filling In the pause.
What" he shouted in amazement
D9 rioG rlo,S,s Eou mean to say you never mar
face '' H4s
You. Dick! You"
He caught hold OF her hands, and. |
looking at her with q glad light shin
Ing In his eyes, he said: rs Il possibie
me2" e0NSe
How could I forget" she replied
when the old clock has been tickine
your name to me for the last twenty
Ten minutes later a man rushed
the salesroom and said to the young
man, who was still gazing at the book
case:
THAT old Johnnie who went upsta,rs
Is taking your advice already, for I've
Just, seen him kiss the owner Of the
clock" '
Tomorrow complete novelette,. "The
Last lap