“I suppose a young lady may go into an auction store as well as any other store. Mr. Townsend moved into a much smaller house than he had been living in, some time ago, and it is possible that surplus furniture has been sent to auction.”
“Possible. But wouldn’t her father attend to that.”
“Ordinarily, no doubt such would be the case; but in the misfortunes that have befallen Mr. Townsend, he has been sustained by Eunice in a remarkable manner. She seems to have forgotten every thing but how she may hold up her father’s drooping hands, and inspire him with hope and confidence. She would not hesitate to attend to this or any other business for him, not incompatible with her sex.”
On parting with this friend, to whom he had not expressed all that was in his mind, Albertson said to himself, while his countenance became thoughtful,
“What could she have been doing there?”
No satisfactory answer was suggested to his mind, for the same question recurred again and again. He was walking along, still thinking of the fact that had been stated, when just before him he saw Eunice come out of a jewelry store, turn up the street, and walk briskly away without observing him. The very manner in which her steps were taken, showed that there was a purpose in her mind.
Albertson went back to his place of business, in a thoughtful mood. About an hour afterward he entered the auction room of Trist & Lee. After looking about there for some time, he was joined by Mr. Lee, to whom he was very well known.
“Can’t I do something for you to-day, Mr. Albertson?” said Lee, familiarly, and yet with an eye to business.
“I don’t know; perhaps you can.”
“Don’t you want a first-rate piano? We’ve just got in a splendid instrument, that cost a thousand dollars, and may be had at a bargain. But, I believe you’re not married yet, and therefore have no wife to whom you can make such a present. By-the-way, too, Albertson, it is not a little curious that this piano should belong to an old flame of yours.”