Evening star., 1927-03-26

uC ELLING off everything" said
Mrs. Van Dusen with an en-
phatic nod.
Martha Maine looked at her
neighbor in an astonishment
which gradually cleared to compre-
Not the mahogany suite--not the
parlor furniture-not the Persian rug!
she gasped.
every single thing that's in the
house." averTed Mrs. Van Dusen.
''sale begins this afternoon at O'Clock
sharp"
demanded Martha.
"She SAYS" Mrs. Van Dusen's mouth
twitched humorously at the corners,
that she couldn't take her stuff with
her IL she was going to heaven and
she won't be bothered with 1t now
she's going to California, which, she
says, Is pretty nearly the same thing.
Then. while Martha was digesting this
speech. Mrs. Van Dusen whisked out
of the back door and went home.
Martha sat down upon the edge OF
lassly in her lap. She had received a
Jolt that had tumbled her into the
biggest field of satisfaction she had
ever known.
Nina Peck was going away! Nina
Peck would sell her household goods
at private sale that afternoon, begin
ming at l O'Clock. Nina Peck was
offering her famous Persian rug to
anybody who could afford to pay for it,
That Persian rug Of Nina Peck's
had filed Martha Names heart will,
envy from the first moment she had
seen it. 1t expressed 80 much that
she had always wanted and had never
been able to attain. Nina, who had
had everything, had treated 1T care.
Iessly enough for all her pride in 1t.
She had liked to show her nefghbors
thatit was not too good for her feet to
tread upon. 1t did not seem possible
that the rug was for sale and that
she, Martha, could now possess 1T II
she could raise the price.
When her husband, Artemus, came
home to dinner she told him about
the sale and the rug.
How much does she want for it?"
Artemus asked with manlike prac.
tically. "You better phone over and
find out. II you've waited this long
maybe somebody else has spoken
for it."
frenbled as she took down the re-
ceiver. Nina Peck answered. Yes,
she had several offers for the rug but
she would close with no one until the
sale officially opened. She could not.
however, take a cent less than S100
for the rug.
That's a lot Of money to put down
on the floor to walk on" Artemus
said when Martha told him. There's
lots of ways OF spending a hundred.
seems to me, that you'd enjoy better,
t-xx& xe,
your affair than mine
He drew a. check for the amount
and at two minutes before l Martha.
flushed with excitement, entered the
Peck parlors. where a group Of women
were discussing the rug.
There's going to be clawing
match you'll see," whispered Mrs. Van
Dusen to Martha.
Mrs. Peck, slender, bright eyed, her
scarlet lips held close, was engaged
first by one woman, then another.
Mrs. Parslow wanted the rug, but she
wouldn't give more than $50 for II.
Miss Wilber had to measure 1t before
she decided. Anna Wilson was trying
to make up her mind whether it would
"be good" with gray paper. Martha,
lingering Artemus' check, waited anx-
iously trying to get a. word in edge
wise At that instant Mrs. Clapper
shouted above the hub-hub!
"Ill give you one-ten for it, Nina.
That's 10 more than you ask
That $40 accomplished the feat and
Mrs. Clapper got the rug.
or course, there was instantly q
scene. Mrs. Parslow accused Mrs.
Clapper~ OF taking an unfair advan.
tage and the other women pitched
into her according to the extent of
their several grievances. Martha said
nothing. Her disappointment was
great, but she would not add to the
riot. She slipped away home.
where's the rug?" Artemus de.
manded when he came home to supper.
II didn't get it,
well, you won't be sorry. There's
beauty in Archer's window for $40.
] was noticing 1t just now as I came
past You can get that, Martha, and
have the other so to spend as you
please. I guess you'll find use for 1t.
| Martha bought the $40 rug She also
| bought new curtains for her living
| room and a new lamp she had wanted
a long TINA In