Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-12-20
THE DOOR
OF LILAC
GLASS
10 by d. J. Walsh.)

NAOWu oui6Cd CaSCAly oAbCA bhS
i auctioneer toward the best fur
niture that stood on the porch.
The bidding had been only half-heart-
ed thus far for the tang of autumn in
the crisp air had made sluggish pulses
tingle and the acquisition Of fruit
Jars with battered tops and worn rag
mats had not stimulated the onlook-
ers to any degree.
Now, however, there were inter-
ested expressions and the woman in
the furs forgot to flor n when her
neighbor elbowed her There was
piano Of New York make and a de-
lightful little period desk with a tiny
compartment behind door of lilac
tinted glass.
II can't see how q woman who could
appreciate a desk like that could ever
have lived in this deadly little town."
muttered the fur-cOated one to her
companion. "There were rag rugs
here"
Her hostess, townswoman, flushed
and pulled back the little girl who, TAX
ing advantage Of her mothers preoc
cupation was pulling the tail of po-
lice dog, which was being held in
leash with some difficulty. Don't do
that, Dotty, that dog will bite you"
"She never minds. Let her get Bit
ten," answered the guest indlfferently.
II shall bid on that desk"
The dark-haired girl holding the
great dog looked white and spent as
she moved away, the chain wound
around her slender wrist
you'd do better to stay away,
Betty" murmured a sympathetic voice |;
at only hurts you to see strangers
touch your cousins things. What she
ever did with that deed Is more than
can understand. II only she had
had It recorded"
AUNT Rose meant me to have the
little place." there was an intense
longing in the young face and her
friend noted that the soft brown eyes
turned lnvoluntarlly towards an up
per window across the street where
Betty's aged mother sat watching the
sale of the only home she'd known
for years. The losing of the expected
and promised Inheritance meant that
Betty must defer her marriage as she
was her mothers sole support and
instead of marrying Bert and settling
down In the cottage, she must pay
rent as well as board.
"Can't see, Betty, why you hang
around" commented clear hard
voice; you know that everything is
left to me. say: sell Off all the
Junk and get real money for it,
BETTY regarded her distant relative
without enthusiasm. you know that
Cousin Rose decided the place to me.
II choose to bid on anything of hers
surely have the right"
Surely" returned the woman cold
Iy. IF you can pay the price No
credit, remember"
Betty turned away.
"We'll start this desk at IS. Who'll
give me $5.50?" The auctioneer's
hawkllke eyes swept the crowd.
The white face up at the window
WIS pressed against the pane and
Betty waved her small, gloved hand.
She knew her mother wanted that
little desk intensenly and she had de-
termlned to get II for her, no matter
how the bids went. The invalid had
seemed to have some deeper feeling
than Betty could comprehend concern
-, 10 4.
ture. Seems, Betty. that must have
It." she had said
But, when the bids, raised by the
fur-conted mother OF the spoiled child.
Dot, reached $50 Betty caught her
breath n she mel this price II meant
she must forego her new winter coat
that she had planned for and-golng
shabby when Bert loved to see her
look nice.
"FIfty-two-fifty. who'll give me
tifty-ave?" droned the auctioneer.
"Cant give this desk away. Come
now, ifty.hve."
Betty had handed her dog over TO
her neIghbOr and now stood hesitat.
ing. The desk WASN'T worth that
money TO her. II only her mother had
set her heart on some trI0e Uncer.
tainIy she looked IN Her mother hod
roIsed the window 10 listen tn the
bids and Betty saw the grav bend turn
aside now. She realized that her
mother had given nm hone when sbo
heard the nrice.
"FIftv.ave." cried pettv cIeorIv
"Ahsurd" snonned tbe quasi from,
tho citv
po,tv gova ,b. otd oIorL hor ohoo,