Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-12
Tales aud Sketfhes.
POLLY's VICTORY.
LcoNrrSuED FROM YESTERDAY. |

Il
sweet idea to be photographed in char
acter, You and J." he said, his eyes shin
ing, and ill-concealed triumph in his man.
ner. Il am sure you looked every whit
princess; never saw better dressing on
any stage think l will act upon that
idea,' he continued, seeing that Kitty re-
mained silent; "and if You will allow
me, Miss Kitty"
IL wouldn't be taken in that costume
for kingdom!" blurted Kitty. Pm sure
should feel foolish every time looked
ut the pictnre.''
Her vehemence silenced him, and alter
few commonplaces he left. wondering
what had come over Miss Kitty.
This had come over her: the remem
brance of Bob in his smock frock and top.
boots. his straw hat and whip in hand
nothing of all this had distracted from Che
nobility of his appearance.
"And yet he sha'nt tyrannize," she NUT
tered, conscious that she was too willing
to exonerate her lover, and almost ready
to apologize, but yet determined to rule
her little kingdom still. She trembled
when she heard his step, but drew her head
up haughtily and pressed her lovely lips
together. 4aqstc
.'Good-morning, Kitty said Bob, and
her quick ear detected the constraint in
his voice; so she steeled her heart.
II met Mr.. Lloyd at the gate" he said;
and now it was not constraint, but pas
sion, that changed the rich tones.
Eyes he has been here" Kitty said,
quietly.
''He's q fool!" cried Bob, and threw his
hat violently on the table. The album
had not been shut. He had never liked
seeing that simpering face in the same
book with his own; now he took the leaf
in his hand and rudely tore it out.
"Thcre!" exclaimed Bob, reducing card
and page to atoms; "that's what I'll do
to him if he isn't careful" s s-s
Bob looked magnificent, and Kitty
thought so for all her anger: and she was
angry.
Il wouldn't act like madman if was
jealous" she said, passionately.
Bob calmed himself in moment, and
by mighty effort
"It was foolish, he said, with a strange
smile; mot at all like me was it? Kitty,
I'm come to say good-by.-You promised
me ON your honor that you would never
let that fellow go home with you again.
What must he think Of you, seeing that
he knows you are engaged to me? How
ever, that's all over; | made up my mind
this morning. The woman who deliber-
atcly breaks her promise is no wife for
me. Good-by. Kitty; I'm off to-nich'.
You won't see me in Pittston again; lnd
| wish you 10y ofyOur new conque>.
A word might have changed l. ii,. Int
Kitty could not speak. A frightfu dizz-
ness seized her. though she was conscious
of holding out her hand mechanically; and
when her mother came to look for her.
she found her all hudded up on the sofa,
utterly unconscious.
At the depot that night Bob met little
Polly. She had come down, with her
brother, to send letter by him, and she
slipped Il little bouquet of heart's-ease in
his hand.
That's the girl should have loved
he said to himself, bitterly ''but oh, my
God my heart is bound up in Kitty Bes'
som, and she has played me false. But
I'll forget her, so help me Heaven. -
If ever you want friend, Polly. re-
member me, said Bob. and sprang on to
the train.
Pittston heard Of him no more. There
was a rumor that Kitty Bessom was en-
gagged to Mr.. Lloyd, but nobody really
knew.
Two years had passed, and Bob said
often to himself that he had unlearned his
lesson. One day, when he was in the
overseers room, card was brought to
him. He read the name; his whole face
frightened. Hurrying down stairs, he
entered the office.
He saw a small, womanly figure,
head turned from the light, and by her
side sat boy not half grown.
"Why, Polly!" he said. in the old rich
voice that had once made such sweet mu-
sic in Pittston choir. You don't know
how really glad am to see you! Why,
child, you look thin and sick ~
"Yes, Mr.. Langton. have been quite
ill, and so has little Harry; but we are
both well now. You know you said once
If ever wanted friend, must remem-
ber you. Well'-she made little pause
-"mother is dead, and-and-Caleb
would 60 to the poor house. SO here we
are, you see"
Her voice trembled, but she restrained
her tears.
"My dear little friend /" exclaimed, Bob,
ruefully, Il world of sympathy in his honest
eyes.
'.And thought might get place in
the mills" she added unsteadily.
"Yes. yes said Bob refeetively; Il
have it j; just the thing for you-light, easy
work. You shall board with Mrs. Crisp,
over the way, ANA larry shall go to school.
How will that suit P'
"Oh, Mr.. Langlon cried Polly. with
:, great sob, and hid her face IN her hands.
"Well. it's all settled" said Bob, who
had turned away for moment. ''Let us
try to look things bravely in the face, my
little friend"
So Polly found home and easy work.
and Bob found himself thinking OF her.
The old conviction forced itself upon him :
it was she he should have loved; and see
ing often her gentle face, with its timd
soft brown eyes, there grew in his heart
the sweetest sympathy. so near akin to
love that it deceived him.
One day he asked Polly to marry him.
He had taken her for a walk, and they had
| strolled together into the edge of the
sweet-smelling woods, where the checker
berry peeped up from the mosses at their
feet. Poor little Polly had Just been say
ing to herself,
IL think could make you happy, little
Polly-I am sure could. My circum'