l in shape,
and had a stencilled rim in a conventional design. The coloring was
exquisite, and the central design was a wonderful basket over-flowing
with gorgeous fruit. The touches of gold on the decorations was the
beauty-point of the unusual object.

"I've always wanted just such a tray, too. I wonder if you know anyone
who has one and will sell it to me. I'd drive a long ways to go to an
auction such as you say you attended, when you bought this tray," said
Polly, trying to act indifferent.

"Laws-ee, Miss! I see'd trays sold at mos' every country auction I goes
to. I'd jes' as soon sell that one to you, if you like it, but maybe
you'd think I was askin' too much if I was to tack on the cost of time I
lost that day. I never got a chanst to bid on the oak side-board, 'cause
a city man felt so mad at Abe fer buyin' the tray, that he run up the
side-board out of spite, when he found we wanted it. Ef he'd onny a said
he wanted the old tray he'd cud have had it an' welcome. But he never
told us. The neighbor who finally got the side-board laffed an' told Abe
why the man did the trick. The man told him he'd double-crossed us that
way."

Polly would have offered the woman the full value of the fine stencilled
tray, but Eleanor hurriedly spoke for her.

"How much was the tray with the cost of time tacked on?"

"Well, it won't be fair to charge _all_ afternoon, 'cuz I had a good time
with my neighbors what met at that vendue. But Abe lost three hours' work
on the corn that day and that is wuth sixty cents an 'nour, anyway. Tack
that on to thirty-five cents fer the tray, an' you've got it."

Mrs. Tomlinson started counting laboriously on her fingers and ultimately
reached the same total as the girls had found five minutes before. So
Polly paid over the munificent sum to the lady's delight, and took
possession of the tray.

"Ef I onny had some other old things you'd like to get, I would almost
have enough money to buy a swell glass lemonade set I saw down to
Stamford one day. It had a glass tray under it and a dozen painted
glasses and a fine glass pitcher--all fer two ninety-eight."

Almost before the lady had ended her words of her secret ambition, the
four girls had pounced upon various things found on the shelf. Eleanor
had an old glass toddy-mug with a lid, which was used for a match-holder
in the parlor.

Nancy selected a small oil lamp with a brass base and stem, and a
lovely-shaped glass shade. Mrs. Tomlins