The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-12-23

surprised; and Phil. said hc, I've got q
new daughter TO introduce to YOU And
then some more in low voice, which
Steve couldn't hear; and the Square he
most cried, and he shook hands, and said,
You're welcome. my DEAR That was
all Stove saw, for he had to como away;
but Uncle Reuben was up TO the Squares
In the evening about load Of hay. and
Pills wife came in, and the Square intro
tluced her |: MY sons wife, he said, and
he looked real pleased, for NIL he hadn't
been told beforehand. Gracious! there
they are! Look, Polly. just coming In
For moment all swan before Polly's
ewes. Then the mist cleared again, and
she saw Square Ralston's white head pass
ing up the isle followed by his sister. q
dear old woman who lived with him and
kept his house; then Phil and by his side
lady. With unnatural fire in her blue
ewes she scanned the stranger,
noting the clear olive cheek, the graceful.
undulating walk. the gait which. even to
her inexperienced vision. seemed some.
thing rich and foreign. That, then. was
Phil's wife, the woman he preferred TO all
Others! And with sudden power OF
hatred. Polly felt that she hated her. All
the sweet, even pulses of her nature
seemed to be turned into bitterness and
fire. ...... .-. =.
she looks old for Phil. doesn't she?
whispered the other girl. --g ~
She did, but how beautiful! And still.
rs the service went on. what q mOckery
1t all seemed--the prayer In which she
did not Join, the sermon which spoke of
people rs thankful and happy She rose
with the others, she bent her head. and all
tho time something tangled In her ears
the ono phrase. Phil Is married! Phil Is
marriedr till 1t seemed rs II she could
not bear it. Long afterwari, when she
was happy again, that wretched morning
would come back to her rs visions OF TO-
yer to returning health; little things she
was unconscious of noticing-a late can
ker.worm walking up Mary Jane Oaks
bonnet-strlng; the scrap Of newspaper
left on Deacon Bunker's face from his
morning shaving. and on which could DO
plainly read. "LOst and Straye,l." with the
AFTER clew of "heifer" just below. She
rememberedt the exact position in which
Phil stood rs no held the hymn-book open
for his-wife! Once he half turned and
glanced mt the gallery. That was too
much. and Polly drew tight the green
curtain and looked no more.
You're pale to-day whispered the
friendly gossip in the rear, 'or else your
hat isn't becoming
This reused her pride. Bad rs II was
to be miserable, II was worse to bc pitied.
She bit her lips till they were red, and
(taking advantage of the last prayer. am
sorry to saw inflicted uron her cheeks .
series of fiirtive pinches, which restored
their bloom. Coming down stairs with the
rest. she saw. she was sure. Phil lingering
rs If 10 speak. Cruel. insulting. she ,oould
not see Leaning ON James's arm, chatting.
laughing, all bloom and animation she
brushed past. Polly he half exclaimed; (;
then paused. Backs are sometimes rs OK
prcssive rs faces. Polly's said, rs distinct.
" rs back could, don't speak to lne.
Phil looked after them moment; then,
suppressing low whistle, he plunged his
hands into his pockets, and took the oppo-
site direction. But soon relenting, he was
sorry to have done SO. 'Sho didn't see
me- he said to himself; that was II.
Well. I'll 60 over this evening ut all events,
and find out what 1t means
Oh, what miserable day It was! All
the little. carefully prepared for pleasures,
were rs 80 many goads and stings to poor
Polly. The turkey choked, the chil,lrcn's
merrimcnt stunned her. And there were
all the relations to be seen tO-Aunt FL
ira and Uncle Jacob, Cousin Jane with
her family. and the new baby. But for
all her heart-ache the little maid was true
to herself. Only Mrs. Pursall. with moth
er's instinct, OWNED that something was
the matter. To the rest Polly was her
usual self, prcttier than usual. II anything,
and gayer with that deep finish on her
cheeks, aud the saucy tongue, which barbcd
with inward misery, had smart answer
ready for all and each.
At last tho long dinner ended, amidst
praises loud and high. The fire was re-
plenished, the candles lit, evening and u
general romp set In. Amidst the hustle
Polly could slip away for u moment un-
perceived. She has found u thing TO do, '
as Mr.. Browning says.
Climbing chair In the dark pantry.
she felt about. Yes, there 1t was. Just
80 had she meant to come and lift II down
for Phil! With tight-set lips she carried
the dish through the hall to the back-door,
where Jowler u faithful beast Of monde
script breed. was wont to lie on n conyen-
lent door mat.
.Jowler, Jowlnr-poor fellow she said.
heres something for YOU and she held
out tO him Phil's pie!
Never was dog nwakcd by dantier NOR
sci! II was not u very heroic vengeance
that, hut somehow II suited Pollv's feel
inys, and there was certain tragic quail
ity In her manner rs she stood looking on
at tho dcmolishment which would have
struck an unintercsted spectator rs In
finitely comic. As the last crumb vanish
cd, however-the last twirl Of the pa
different mood asserted itself. She put
her head in childish fashion against the
door. and. with the empty pic plato In her
hand. began to cry-a silent, miserable
crying. with little dumb moan running
through It like a child's.
1t was Just then that somebody passing
up the walk came upon her somebody
who In his haste had como cross corners
and leaped tho garden fence In his way.
A tall. brown haired fellow. with merry
kind eyes, In which wonderment shone
as he took In this astonishing spectacle.
'Hallor he began; why it's-bless my
soul! Polly! Why, Polly-what Is the mat
ter. dcar? I. =
At the sound Of the voice Polly started.
as II stung. Sho gavo a little scream; !;
then. recollecting herself, would have
dashed past him into the house, but .
strong hand held her back.
What Is the meaning OF hisT said PM.
'You here and crying, on Thanksgiving
night-tho night when we were going TO
be 80 happy! Tell mo what It Is, Polly
darling3 Can't I help you? Aren't you
glad to scc me-?
Philip Ralstonv said Polly. too furious
TO weigh her worls, you ought TO 10
ashamed Of yoursclf.'
/ sNVl.,T