The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-09-07

Bulbo remembered as child, ana oHerlng 10
introduce him that evening.
"WoA't you go, Polly?' he called into the
kitchen.
ssNo. thanks,'' and Mr.. Bulbo felt disap-
pointed, and half inclined to give up the ven
ture.
Bulbo made but q short call, as he felt
weary, and as he opened the kitchen door on
his return, Polly sat by the window singing
and pairing apples. nice little cot protected
her nnger from the stain, and she nodded
smiling welcome as she put bit of apple be-
tween her rosy lips. Mr.. Bulbo leaned on
the chair to chat, and soon asked for knife
to help.
but you'll have to wear cot"
''Put it on" he responded, stretching out
his hands.
ssThey are too small" she cried, after sew
eral mirth-provoking attempts to place them.
''Cant something else do?' he helplessly
| INQUIRED: 81 can't bear to be idle.'
eyes; I'll wind them up in rags and her
| def fingers soon bound his hands.
II was late when they finished for Polly in
! sisted that the pairing should be perfect, and
their aid was required in solving matrimonial
| questions. Hers only formed a B. at which
she was very much provoked; but Mr.. Bulbo's
was very indefinite.
SIS it P or an p" she asked, puzzling
over the letter. 81 declare, it's as much like
an NJ as anything"
When at last bedtime came, without dOu bit
Polly lighted his candle, and between them
they dropped the shutters three times before
| he got fairly started. In the morning he
must see the farm, and as Mr.. Kopp's work
| was urgent, Polly was impressed to do the
| honors. On their return the sun was too
hot to go out, and it was pleasanter to chat
in the sitting room. After dinner came the
fascinating sight of Polly with her sleeves
| aIAxxr xty1tf
stray locks of hair tucked behind little ears
and away from cheeks where the color came
| and went in a moment-that the dishes
might be washed. Then when she disappear
| ed moment Mr.. Bulbo thought he would
make call, but when she appeared in
| fresh muslin was moved to ask if there was
was not somewhere for them to go.
''Not but that l see enough that is charm
ing here"
Polly turned away with a little frown, and
Mr.. Bulho was, as usual, upbraiding himself
when deepening red on her neck persuaded
| him that he had not made an irrevOcable
mistake. They went to Lyn brook and only
got home in time for Polly to get tea. After
that Mr.. Kopp proposed to call on another
young lady, but Mr.. Bulbo had discovered
| that Polly sang; and as music was his great
delight, and he made some attempts, though
no pretensions in that quarter, he insisted on
a song. One followed another, their voices
harmonized finely, and another evening was
gone.
This was the example of many days. Polly
| had read some new books that had particu-
larry pleased Mr.. Bulbo, and she was so live
| ly and piquant it was delightful to talk to her.
She was remarkably well educated, which
surprised Mr.. Bulbo, as Milford was but
country place.
"Ah, now, you'd like to ask questions"
she cried. as he let drop something of that
kind. 81 was not brought up here, and
that's all Fl say. Ladies only are privileged
to ask questions
''There is one that gentleman may ask"
softly said Mr.. Bulbo, leaning toward her;
but she sprang from her seat and ran up
stairs
''Bulbo, you're foolp' was the gentle
| mans mental comment. 'Pm afraid you're
in love-you are, by Jover' he calculated, as
he seized the handkerchief Polly had dropped.
And pressing it to his lips, placed it in his in
| ner pocket.
1t was to be feared that was the trnth. Mr..
Bulbo had been five weeks at Mr.. KOpp's and
had entirely forgotten the cause of his COM
ing. He had made but one call in search OF
the wife who was to vindicate his character
in the virtuous city of Brookley, but had lin
gered all this time by the side of bright
eyed, plnmp little damsel, who had become a
necessity to him, and without whom he felt
his bachelor room would be dreary indeed.
Why wouldn't she do as well, better than any
one else, for his purpose? She as darling,
would make him happy, refute the scandal,
destroy the tenant of that closet-ugh! Yes,
yes. But-a blank, great and unspeakable,
fell on Mr.. Bulbo as he contemplated the idea
that she might reject him. In all his plans he
had never once thought of that. Not that he
was OVERLOAD; he had no opinion of his abili-
ties, but the extremity had been such that he
had never allowed a refusal to enter into his
calculations. In the despair that came over
him, he went and wandered by the brook I'M
til it was long past the tea hour
1t was with fearful heart-throb and per-
ceptible jump that he saw Polly approach
ing.
''Mr. George, won't you come TO tea"
81 won't come, Miss Polly, my hearts
PoIy'-it sounded horribly, bnt Mr. Bulbo
did not mean it shouId-"unless you will let
me go with you," he replied, seizing her hand
in both of his.
That's just what mean to do" replied
Polly breathlessly, trying to withdraw her
hand 81 have not had mine YETI
No, no, that's not what / mean. 1 won't
go unless you go with me-unless We go to-
gether-that is, Polly, dearest Polly, 1 love
you, and must have" And she was folded
in his arms.
1t was bunglingly done, and Mr.. Bulbo
must have had some enc engagement, or else |
he had forgotten his fears; but Polly under |
stood him and-tea fingered longer still.
To Mr.. Bulbo's delight Polly was willing to |
appoint an early day; and the nuts were just
falling, and the pumpkins had drank their fill |
of yellow sunlight, and the northern frost |
winds were making fire pleasant, when they |
stood in the vestry-room of the little church, |
waiting for the clergyman.
dearest, there is one thing want to say;
my name
''Oh, don't tease me about that! 1 never |
can call you anything but Mr. George; but 1
ought to have told YOU"
Come, PollyP cried her uncle, interrupt
ing her; and in they went, each with some
thing important to tell the other.
Polly smiled little, with timid futter;
when Mr.. Bulbo uttered, in clear voice: 81
George Washington" And he gave start
of not entire pleasure when she said, softly,
81, Mary"
81 like Polly BEST" he whispered as he
threw back her veil and claimed her for his
wife.
As Mr. Kopp handed Polly into the car
riage, he laughingly said:
Il ought to say Mrs. Bulbo now, 1 sup
pose"
Mrs Bulbov' cried Polly, aghast
Yes, darling, that is what wanted to tell
you in the vestry, and now that we are so
Hdppy CAN elluure 10 speak oil Une matter,>
and Mr.. Bulbo told her the whole story. To
his surprise Polly laughed until she cried
blushed as if on fire, and as the drive to the
house was short, refused to explain, but ran
in and seemed to avoid him. 1t was not
until the hour of return was over that
Polly stood alone with him on the porch.
Then between bursts of laughter and showers
OF tears, which were cleared away in the most
natural manner possible, she told him.
She was Mary Francis; had feared some
one would ask her for money, aud had
changed her name and secluded herself here.
She had always avoided him, for his name
had prejudiced her to think he was very dsa-
greeabe. She had meant to tell him of her
wealth just before they were married, than it !
might have no influence on him, and now he
had done just what he didn't want To- do.
mo, no." he swore. 'sJast what he
He had been so happy that he had
never thought to tell her his name, and now
what difference did it make? They loved
each other''
But alas for Mr.. Bulbo! He returned t
Brookley with his loved and loving wife, ano
mis- little world was in flames in a moment
II told you so! Wasn't he sly rogue to
90 and marry her secretly?"
Fate was against him, facts were against
him: What could he say, how refute?
"Ah, Bulbo, we saw it al. Bless you, you
couldn't surprise us: we knew it was newt
,ble."
He took other rooms; would have es-
,hewed closets. but Polly said thew were