g
else, but just start her on that service of gold plate and she'll talk
you deaf. She can describe it just as though she saw it, and she can
make you see it, too, almost. Now, you see, Maria and Zerkow have known
each other pretty well. Maria goes to him every two weeks or so to sell
him junk; they got acquainted that way, and I know Maria's been dropping
in to see him pretty often this last year, and sometimes he comes here
to see her. He's made Maria tell him the story of that plate over and
over and over again, and Maria does it and is glad to, because he's the
only one that believes it. Now he's going to marry her just so's he can
hear that story every day, every hour. He's pretty near as crazy on the
subject as Maria is. They're a pair for you, aren't they? Both crazy
over a lot of gold dishes that never existed. Perhaps Maria'll marry him
because it's her only chance to get a husband, but I'm sure it's more
for the reason that she's got some one to talk to now who believes her
story. Don't you think I'm right?"

"Yes, yes, I guess you're right," admitted Miss Baker.

"But it's a queer match anyway you put it," said Trina, musingly.

"Ah, you may well say that," returned the other, nodding her head. There
was a silence. For a long moment the dentist's wife and the retired
dressmaker, the one at the window, the other on the sidewalk, remained
lost in thought, wondering over the strangeness of the affair.

But suddenly there was a diversion. Alexander, Marcus Schouler's Irish
setter, whom his master had long since allowed the liberty of running
untrammelled about the neighborhood, turned the corner briskly and came
trotting along the sidewalk where Miss Baker stood. At the same moment
the Scotch collie who had at one time belonged to the branch post-office
issued from the side door of a house not fifty feet away. In an instant
the two enemies had recognized each other. They halted abruptly, their
fore feet planted rigidly. Trina uttered a little cry.

"Oh, look out, Miss Baker. Those two dogs hate each other just like
humans. You best look out. They'll fight sure." Miss Baker sought
safety in a nearby vestibule, whence she peered forth at the scene, very
interested and curious. Maria Macapa's head thrust itself from one of
the top-story windows of the flat, with a shrill cry. Even McTeague's
huge form appeared above the half curtains of the "Parlor" windows,
while over his shoulder could be seen the face of the