Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-29

seemed to surprise even herself. some
investments have turned out miserably
and Rod can earn a great deal more in
the city, and severe going there. you
see. Were you interested In buying that
japanese cabinet?" she asked merrily.
"Ah. not" said Sallie. There is
nothing I should love to have more
than that! My uncle, you know, was
the head of the anthropology depart
ment at the university and he went
to Japan every year Twice he took me
with him when was in my teens and
l wondered-it is probably presunp-
tuous of me to question your know
ledge on things japanese if you realize
the great value of that cabinet?"
Mrs. Frazier shrugged: Il know little
about anything in the house, Sallie.
The house belonged to my grandfather
and when 1t came down TO my mother
and then to me, everything was just as
| it is now It's a pretty enough cabinet,
but" with a frank laugh, Il hate dust
ing all that carvingl old Mr.. jenkins
has made an offer CT SIS. but the
auctioneer asked me TO leave everything
as II stood until the day of the auction
end so shall do that. II you want the
cabinet. though"
"Fifto-n dol,ars!" echoed Sallie.
"I'll be glad to put in any bid you
wanted to make If it Is auctioned OF
in school hours" continued Mrs. Frazer.
But it is worth well up into the
thousands" said Sallie, aghast. IF
you want me to have Uncle Toms
friend come out to appraise 1t he could
come and perhaps could get buyer for
it who will pay something approximate
ly its WORTH
Thousands" repeated Mrs. Frazier.
why, grandfather was very we'll of
financially, but I had no idea he would
pay anything like that"
And in the end they telephoned long
distance to the friend of her uncle and
ne promised to come out on the evening
train.
Rod had gone into the city to see
about a position with one of the banks
there. The position he has here pays
so very little"-Mrs. Frazier broke off
with a little sigh-"and now 1 shan't
have to eat my dinner alone, for. of
course, you'll stay with me until your
uncle's friend comes"
And When Exeter Mills arrived 1t
took him but little time to seek out
the Japanese cabinet. Adjusting his
glasses he examined it silently, while
Mrs. Frazier and Sallie looked on
anxiously. When Rod came in quietly
with downcast face Mrs. FREEZER put
her fingers to her lips. Game out on
the night train" Rod explained, and
then was silent.
OF a sudden the white-haired man
bending over the japanese cabinet made
little sound, an inward Kissing Of
breath. Standing well forward on the
balls Of his feet he pressed the thumbs
of his hands on two of the protruding
bits Of carving which Mrs. Frazier had
n RnF0ISA
it had not opened for so many years
the piece of wood moved but slowly.
Finally, though, there was revealed to
their amazed eyes bit of japanese
brush work that even to an amateur
was the exquisite work of an artist.
"Kanaoka--a Japanese artist VINO
lived in the ninth century-ah!" muir
INJURED Exeter Mills, swaying from left
to right to get the full value Of the
picture You are willing to part with
this, from what Sallie told me over
the telephone?" he said to Mrs. Frazier.
Mrs. Frazier nodded.
II am the chairman of the purchas-
ing committee for the museum" said
Exeter Mills. not taking his eyes from
the picture that the japanese cabinet
had so surprisingly revealed to them.
"I can't make a definite offer tonight
Il must talk with the committee, Of
course, but will you place a price on
this, if you please?" he said. drawing
his eyes with great effort from the
picture to look directly at Mrs. Frazier.
"She. doesn't know the value Of it.
Mr. Mills" cut in Salie. IF you will
appraise it--that would be best, Mrs.
| FraZier?"
Mrs Frazier nodded.
"If $4,000 will be satisfactory" be-
"And I very nearly took $15!" said
Mrs. Frazier. both laughing and crying
at once. Why, we needn't leave at all,
Rod We can stay here-on. Sallie
knows of our financial difiiculties.
told her this afternoon!"
"Ah, you did" said Rod slowly.
And while Mr. Mills and Mrs. Frazier
talked Of the Japanese cabinet Sallie
was listening to Rod: IT know you'd
wonder about that Christmas party. "
he hurried to explain. You see, the
moths had got into my only decent
suit and the Christmas party is so for
mali couldn't CO." he ended with
a laugh. And couldn't ask you to gol"
And Sallie was suddenly glad that
she had not let a misunderstanding
deter her from speaking of the value
of the Japanese cabinet
And you'll go with me next Year,"
said Rod
your house is already sold!" coun-
tered Sallie.
THE man will be glad to sell 1t to
us again. He bought it to rent, not to
live in. Oh, we'll be here all right"
said Rod.
We'll, If I'm here" Sallie said slowly.
"Oh, you'll be here all right" re-
turned Rod
Someway or other Sallie knew that
she would be, too!
The End.