"See." She spread one of them on a chair back
for inspection. Trina's chin quivered.
"Oh, VERY pretty," she answered.
At length that dreadful day was over. The crowd dispersed. Even the
auctioneer went at last, and as he closed the door with a bang,
the reverberation that went through the suite gave evidence of its
emptiness.
"Come," said Trina to the dentist, "let's go down and look--take a last
look."
They went out of Miss Baker's room and descended to the floor below.
On the stairs, however, they were met by Old Grannis. In his hands
he carried a little package. Was it possible that he too had taken
advantage of their misfortunes to join in the raid upon the suite?
"I went in," he began, timidly, "for--for a few moments. This"--he
indicated the little package he carried--"this was put up. It was of no
value but to you. I--I ventured to bid it in. I thought perhaps"--his
hand went to his chin, "that you wouldn't mind; that--in fact, I bought
it for you--as a present. Will you take it?" He handed the package to
Trina and hurried on. Trina tore off the wrappings.
It was the framed photograph of McTeague and his wife in their wedding
finery, the one that had been taken immediately after the marriage.
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