The Lamar register., 1919-01-29
GRANDDAD'S CLOCK
BY JOSEPHINE MURPHY.
Copyright. 1918. by Mcclure Newspape
syndicate)

SyndicateD
Downstairs In the saleroom the auc-
tioneer had become quite tired OF tell
ing intending bidders that 1t was mot
for sale" He had explained that IL
belonged to lady who had acted as
companion 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 Its
usual place in corner landing.
The auctioneer was preparing to
take down the name OF the last pur-
chaser.
my name is Richard D." said
the man. "Never mind writing 1t
down; here Is Dly card. By the way.
do you think 1t would be any use to
send II In to the lady upstairsf ]
am very curious to see the clock they
are all making such fuss about.
have not troubled to view the things.
as I noticed In the catalogue that the
cabinet was the only thing worth buy
Ing. However. I Will run up and have
look at the clock, and, II ! take
fancy to It perhaps l may come to
terms with the owner"
"Whoever wants to bay that clock
will have to marry the owner" replied
the auctioneer.
roar of applause greeted his re
mark. and. amidst the merriment OF a
room full of people. he made his
escape upstairs.
At first glance he recognized 1t to be
one Of rare make. II struck the hour
of four and Its voice sounded to him
like the echo of another clock that had
struck In the long ago.
1t awoke old memories, asleep for
many years. And now for a few min
utes Mr.. Richard D., the wealthy
merchant and connoisseur, was dead.
and plain Dick D, the farmland
OF twenty years before. reigned In his
stead
Once more IL was haymaking time.
and he and his companions. tired out
with thelr days work. were sitting at
the supper table in the farmhouse
kitchen. waited upon by Farmer
E--'s pretty daughter Esther.
Once more he could feel his heart
beating 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
the old clock was ticking away the
precious minutes. Then had come the
Misunderstanding and they had parted.
He came to himself with start.
How silly for him to Indulge In such
sentimental reveries. The past was
dead and buried; what need to dig 1t
up again.
Yet how strange II was that he had
never thought OF the other clock ex-
cept In connection with her. And all
these years he had overlooked the fact
that II must have been one Of great
value He wondered II II was still
ticking In Its old place In the corner,
and II Esther ever thought OF him
when she sat In the farmhouse, hap
PLY surrounded by her husband and
children. OF course she had married
Timothy Blake. He remembered II
was through him they had quarreled.
At this moment the door at the far
end Of the landing opened and wom-
an came out.
She paused ia front of him and
said: Excuse me. sir. that clock be-
longs TO me. and Is not for sale"
His card case fell to the floor, and
as he stopped TO pick IL up he muir
INJURED. ut is She 1t is she!"
''The auctioneer told me the clock
was not for sale. but I thought you
might sell 1t II made you a good
offer"
II would not sell for any Offer" she
replied. The clock has associations
for me and is memento Of the happy
days gone by. In fact" she added
sadly. at is the only voice left me now
that speaks to me out of the past"
what does II say?" he questioned
eagerly.
She seemed surprised and annoyed
by the question. for she made no an
swer
81 am sorry If l have hurt your feel
ings by my offer. Mrs" He hesi-
tated over the last word.
Miss E" she replied, correcting
him and filling In the pause.
what he shouted In amazement.
DO you mean to say you never mar