Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-23
For Sale.

" STER BOONE made a final
stroke with her brush and stood
back to view the effect of her
IL work. Upon a large white board
she had printed beautifully
these words: "For Sale No one
could mistake the meaning, no one
could overlook the message.
She put her hand to her throat to
press back a painful lump. For
Sui~"' She never dreamed it would
| come to that.
Yet she had done the best she could,
the utmost that was in her. Ever
since Stephen died she had fought her
way with every bit of strength and
ingenuity she possessed. For eight
years she had coaxed the soil to yield
what ii would not, and had expert
mented with chickens and turkeys
! She had hung on with fine valor until
! there no longer was anything to
hang to. There was no 'give-up' in
| Ester's nature, no succumbing TO van
punishment until her very last re-
! source had expired. Now. owning her.
self beaten, she had mustered such
grace as she could summon and had
| printed her sign. 1t was the symbol
| of much more than selling the old
| farm.
nothing remained but to put it in
place. She found the hammer and
| nails and went out of the house and
down to the big maple that stood like
a sentinel in that corner of the yard
| where the new highway swept along.
With steady fingers she held the sign
and began to tack it into place.
Down the road came a smart car
driven by man who first grinned as
he saw Ester. then drew up to speak
to her.
Had to come to it, see he re-
marked. Z knew you would.
Ester dropped nail and pounded
her thumb at the same instant. But
not until her sign was firmly in place
did she turp and look at the man. In
her face was Nindignation, restraint
and defiance, but she said not a word.
Look here Ester" Merton Finch
went on, ignoring her attitude. IN
buy your place and give you good
price for it. That's straight. I'll draw
YOU q check now" He reached into a
pocket.
Ester's chin lifted in superb scorn.
"Yes-if I'll marry you, that is"
she said in vibrant voice. Il under
stand you, Merit
He had produced the checkbook and
pen
Come now he said. "A bargain
is bargain You want to sell.
want to buy. Name your price
Ester gasped.
do you think I'd marry you even
If | hadn't a penny or Il crust" she
said. Il know how you used your first
wife and what you did to your second.
T. Suddenly she turned ripped
the sign from the tree and slapped it
against the tree trunk, splitting the
thin board into kindling. There
she said. You can drive on. This
place isn't for sale now. Drive, on, I
say She lifted, perhaps uncon-
sicusly. the hammer high in the air
ard with a laugh Merton Finch drove
| on But his small face on it's long
neck was crimson with defeat.
Ester went back to the house round
to the kitchen steps and sat down.
She wiped the cold sweat from her
forehead.
Marry him. she repeated let
HIM have Stephens farm" She
dropped her face in her hands.
Ester. Ester Boone 1t was
familiar woman's voice calling her
name. She looked up and saw her
nearest neighbor. Mrs. Guernsey run
ming cross lots. What could have hap
aid. She sprang up and went to meet
the woman.
Ester Mrs. Guernsey painted.
There's three men over on your fiat
proving around and acting awful
queer They've got instruments. I've
been watching them an hour. | won
dered If you'd seen en- or knew what
they were up to.
"No, | can't see them from here.
III have to 90 upstairs and look out
OF the west chamber window. Come
along. Mrs. Guernsey.
From the west chamber window
the two women observed the three
men without in the least understand
ing what their actions tended to.
Seems like they're looking for
something Mrs. Guernsey said.
There! They are coming this way.
Now likely We'll find out"
Presently there came a knock at
the front door and Ester and Mrs.
Gurnsey went down. Ester opened
the door.
Does Mrs. Ester Boone live here?"
asked the Oldest of the three men.