Arizona republican., 1921-11-30
Chapter xxxV.

Chapter %xXV.
 The snow swirled and drifted in the street. but John Aldrich was not con scious of any discomfort as he bent his head to the wind and more care fully held the bundle in his arm.
 I'm fool. damn fool, But couldn't help it,'' he said aloud as he stumbled bit and turned cold. not because of the weather, but be- the precious parcel
 John had been on his way home, a bit later than usual, tired almost to nausea, when in the window of a sec ond hand shop he had spied piece of china. A plate. small to the cas- ual observer, insignificant. If only the shopkeeper were ignorant of its valuel
 John's blood leaped at the thought. He was in the shop-the plate in his hands almost without volition of his own. He tried to keep his voice steady. casual, when he asked the price. But it trembled bit in spite of all he could do. It is hard for a connoisseur to hide his greed. As hard as 1t is for a miser to conceal his greed for gold.
 The price put upon the plate was ridiculously low, a mere song com pared with its worth Johns blood raced as he counted out the sum, and with his priceless bit of china hast ened from the place.
 He was happy for bit, happy with the happiness of a collector who has stumbled upon something to add to his collection-somethin wonderful
 To one who understood nothing or the lure of that bit of china Johns delight would have seemed almost foolish. But to one who knew II would have been only perfectly nat ural
 Small as the price had been. after the first joy of possession had passed John felt that he should not have bought it. But with the thought he hugged it more closely. It was his'
 What in the world made you so late, I wanted to go out tonight Now we won't be al to-, Marcia greeted John as he came in He lalo his parcel down carefully and divest- ed himself of his laden hat ana coat before he replied. q was late in leaving the office' then I stopped to buy piece of china saw in a shop window IL IS won derful piece" he added in an apolo- getic tone that in some way made him angry at himself. Then: '.It is too bad a night to go out, anyway"
 '-The weather makes no difference when one rides" Marcia snapped. She was really disappointed It made her ll-natured.
 John was carefully unwrapping his purchase, handling il delicateiy as one handles precious things.
 How much did you pay for that thing?" Marcia asked as he held 1t up for her to look at. drawing her atten- ton to its beauty, telling her why it was valuable, relating to her in a few words the history of that parti- eular kind of pottery.
 And you paid twenty dollars for that thing" she exclaimed, when only to-day I denied myself new hat that cost just thati You pretend you want me to economize. then waste perfectly good money on a common china plate,"
 .'But it isn't common china plate" John replied, "and Marcia, it is the very first piece I have added to my collection since we have been mar ried" He quietly laid it aside and went in to dinner. As she followed Marcia said:
 well, you can have your old plate and I shall have that hat I'll call up the miIliner the first thing in the morning and tell her to send it around. and send the bill to your of flee. My allowance won't pay for 1t. 1 have to go without hats while you buy china to put ia that cabinet. | hate the stuff, It looks so cheap to have china in room where one re- ceives company"
 T will move the cabinet into the bedroom. if you wish" John said wearily.
 Tt would be worse in there. The