The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-08-07

1T seems Just too bad to be trueI"
said Ruth disconsolately.
Forget it, darling! When we started
out this morning you'd no notion Of
seeing inside the house."
"Of course, I hadn't! But the mo-
ment I heard there was a sale I set
my heart on seeing every corner Of it"
Elihu turned to the policeman. 1.-THE
family are still living here, I guess"
he said diffidently.
.r 1M0t t dssd said the policeman.
thai All . Of IT. th ZEN cried Ruth. isn't
The policeman answered rather stiff
ly-"The new Viscount Harrington has
a place of his own. He is selling this.
He is a cousin, I believe"
Couldn't we just peek inside?" asked
tsuth. You see we've got a particular
interest in the place because we're
American" put in Elihu, giving her
arm a sharp squeeze. We're interested
curiosity to U.s."
The policeman was not u~nfriendly
but he was firm.
one inside the door. But I see no rea-
son why the lady shouldn't look in,
If she wants to-"
He moved the blue-clad bulk of his
BODY out OF the way and they saw the
sweep of the carved staircase, the
vaulted roof and ne-flagged floor.
Opposite them leaning against the wall,
most conspicuous, a naked Adonis, very
pink and forlorn.
"Them's old masters" said the po-
lceman. They were sold yesterday"
o." said Ruth with a gasp, "hoW I
wish I could have had one!"
The policeman answered almost Sc
verely, II think you'd be surprised,
StillL,being Americans-perhaps you
wouldn't be surprised. The sale is still
in progress. Perhaps you could pick up
something you'd fancy in the tent"
Ruth was fired by the suggestion,
She almost dragged Elihu down the
stone steps and toward the tent.
I'm going to do it, darling! I'm
gong to have something out Of that
mouse to keep in our own house for
ever! I think it's a perfectly marvellous
idea. ! have all my savings with me.
intended to buy something over here
I0r the house. Let's buy a lot of things.
In the smaller tent they found a
haffllng array of silver spread out on
tables, from massive candelabra to
teaspoons bearing the family coat OF
arms.
I'll buy a complete set of table sill
YER" declared Ruth,
In the large tent there was not such
a large crowd as they had expected
They were able to move about and ex-
anime the drawing room furniture
Which was today. on sale. Reverently
they touched inlaid Chinese chests and
lackered cabinets. Good Lord!" ex.
claimed Elihu, what size room mus
it be to have held all this stuff?"
you can nave no conception" an
sWered his wife almost in the tone O.
n policeman. And she looked about
her with an air so possessive that sew
eral people made way for her to pass
The a~uctioneer was seated at the enc
Of a long table on either side of which
were arranged rows Of chairs. These
were occupied by early ccmers. The
rest stood behind. Two porters haG
just placed the marble figure Of a gir.
kneeling with arms upheld, in an att.
tude of warding off some danger.
The young lady evidently doesnr
like the looks of mel" said the auc.
what am I bid? Four pounds? Who'll
start the bidding at four pounds?"
There was dead silence.
Come now-give me a bid-thre,
pounds? No? Two pounds?"
A middle aged, military looking MAJ
IN the front row bid ten shillingS.
The auctioneer showed no chaeril
at this rebuff. He merely said-"Tel
shillings-will anybody raise ten shill
ings?"
Elihu looked at Ruth. cts a. beautI
full thing" he said.
She shook her head. Nobody want.
marble now. Besides it would be awfu
getting it home"
"Going!" the auctioneer was saying
Going at a maiden bid Of ten shill.
ings! viii nobody raise it? Gone! Capt
Craig, is it, sir?"
CTo Be Continued