Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-11-16


stricken, had, by . clever twist In the
conversation, prevented him. But he
had announced that this evening he
was coming on an important MISSION
1t had been hint to have Rodney out
of the way and Shiela rea' ed that
she could not forestall the question
any longer; besides her own financial
affairs cried for help.
Under the soft yellow glow OF the
shaded lamp, Shiela, in a very faded
lavender dress, ruiiies primly fluted,
sat in the corner of the davenport.
Her hands were folded loosely In her
lap; she could control them, but her
thoughts were less goyernable She
wondered where Rodney was. He was
discouraged, desperately detected, and
he had no one to tuIn to; he was
alope in his miserable furnished room
or trottlng the streets.
Opposite her on STRAIGHTFORWARD
chair Mr.. Eddington coughed lightly
to draw her wandering attention. He
was Immediately dressed, from the
brilllantined, scanty locks brushed
carefully over his bald head to the
fawn-colored spats on his patent
leather shoes. His tiny eyes cleaned
with unusual intelligence, and though
he was stout he gave the impression
of being briskly active. He might
have easily been taken for a scholar,
had not a certain shrewdness in his
features marked him as d business
man, but certainly not as a merchant
or manufacturer.
Miss Everett, or may say
Shiela7
With difficulty the girl reused her.
self from ner thoughts. Again the
| great desire to evade the question,
again the panicky feeling as he drew
| his chair close and leaned forward.
II do not know If you could have
possibly guessed my purpose in com.
ing here this evening, Shiela. A num-
| Der of times | have tried to tell you,
| but something 10 the refined, aristo-
cratic atmosphere Of this home"
81 never would leave tor
! grandmother" fatered Shiela looking
at the door and hoping that by some
chance Rodney might come and in
4 terrupt them
~ do not blame you for that, Shiela,
though surely one as lovely as you
must have thought of marriage"
She grew white and Ted by turns
That depends she managed to
answer, depends on"
| "On-shall we say-money? sug-
gested Mr.. Eddington discreetly
She nodded family, and he seemed
relieved
Il presumed as much, but | hest
| tated TO say it," he went on very
cautiously "Shlela, have something
to ask Of you. II | offend you, | will
| apologize and leave at once You
| are aware OF how often | have come
to this little paror | know. Have you
noticed how many times my greedy
eye has wandered to that little three
cornered cabinet? Shiela, was some.
body in your family a traveller, a col
lector?"
Shiela. puzzled at the unexpected
turn in his conversation. answered:
Perhaps; you see grandmother can't
remember very we'll. but she had
several brothers who are dead now
that travelled | believe"
Mr.. Eddington left his chair and
walked briskly to the three-cornered
shelves Here are two little Ming
vases, Shiela. Genuine, exquisite little
gems l know, because that is my
business, a collector and dealer in the
rare old pieces Of art have been
calling on you for nearly three months
trying To get up courage to ask you IL
you will sell the pair to me for $4,000
know you prize them dearly. but
you are young. you may wish money
for a trousseau--" he waited for
her answer his whole face nervously
eXpectant.
Shiela was suddenly seized with n
desire to burst in uncomfortable laugh
ter but with an effort she asked him
grayely, as though she had dealt in
Ming vases all her life, Are you pre-
pared to pas cash?'
out in the summer night air she
watched Mr.. Eddington waddle away,
a package under his arm. and then
suddenly out Of the darkness leaped
tall thin figure.
"Shiela | was waiting for the fel.
low to ga!" Rodney flung an arm
jubilanty around her shoulders
Here's your ten spot back don't
need il took the old history Of
Bucks county to the Daily Enterprise
and the editor is going to run it as
a serial and gave me twenty-five in
advance payment. More than that,
am full-tedgpd reporter Shiela,"
he drew closer, tell me you don't
really care for that old fossil, Eddng-
ton, tell me | may hope"
She gave him her lips In promise
and then whispered Rodney, come in
the library and tell grandmother while
! look in the encyclopedia, | want to
find out what a Ming vase is u"
Texas Town Claims Antiquity.
A tradition which has been handed
down through many generations OF
AXa.t rTa.-Da ,yl Nan. Nfax-R.nt, ,t.,,., AZ, ~,