The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-03-02
Selerf Sforg.
WASTED.
From All the Year Round.

From All the Year Round.
Polly is mere child, Mr. Staunton
wait till you see my sister Florence.
I'll give you leave to admire her; but
Pollyl Give Polly box of bonbons, il
you like, but don't go engaging her for
every dance. declare, if you do, I'll
send Miss Polly back by the next train,
and write to mama to tuck her dresses
and relegate her to the nursery again
The speaker is Mrs Saltoun, beauti-
full young matron Of three or four and
twenty. The subject she is discussing
with Mr. Staunton-the handsome, stiff,
soldierly man opposite to hers her
sister Polly, a young girl of sixteen,
fresh from the paternal country rectorv,
let loose from home for the first time,
Mr. Staunton laughs in pleasant half
embarrassed way; he is on very intimate
terms with the beautiful young wife of
his Captain, and he does not nina her
outspokenness on the subject of his pro-
nounced attentions to her sister, in the
least. In spite Of her threat to send
Polly home if he will persist in dancing
all the round dances with the child, he
knows well that in her heart Mrs Sal
toun is far from i'll pleased at the turn
affairs are taking.
Polly may be only a child, and re-
freshes fellow who has had a dose of
the designing girls of the period. Come,
Mrs Saltoun, you must let her dance
with me. am safe fellow, you know
Other fellows would be sure to try hum
bug on, with such a charming little
girl"
Mrs Saltoun heaves sigh of mock re-
signation. "Oh, my responsibilities"
she says. Here am burdened with
the care of Miss Polly's well-being now.
and with three small daughters of my
own growing up in the nursery as fast
as they can. Better give her the bon
bons, Mr. Staunton, and not insist On my
taking her to the ball tonight
Mr. Staunton shakes his head at the
proposition, which is made In jest with
an under current of earnestness in it.
Il do insist" he says in friendly, half
peremptory tone, where is Polly new?"
Putting puzzles together" )" her sister
tells him mischievously, ''or playing
cats cradle with my housemaid, and
wasting that functionaryis time; or see
ing how she'd look with herhair turned
up and bonnet on. My dear Leonard" !"
Mrs Saltoun goes on with sudden dash
of earnestness, "let the child be child
still"
"You were engaged TO Saltoum at six
teen" he urges.
@Oh, don't quote mel" she cries, with
laugh, Its all right with me, just because
Phil is Phil How he used to humor
my sudden fancies and imaginary re-
grets and how be looked after me, not
leaving me to my own devices to pick
up what friends and ideas 1 liked, as
half you men 90. Don't quote me; I'm
an exceptionally fortunate woman, and
you are not Phil.
She says the last words with sudden
solemnity that is foreign to her, and that
causes him to look grave and to remain
silent. Then she remembers that, after
all, Leonard Staunton has not proposed
marriage to Polly; and also that, up to
the present, Polly is quite innocent OF
the knowledge that he is specially sing
ling her out. Remembering these
things she sayn, with swift return to
her bright gay manner:
+ Il believe I'm going more than halt
way to meet trouble. You're rather
fond of teasing in your sober way, Leon
ard"
well, put the question by for tie
time," he laughs. "What are your
plans for the day? Are you going to
hear the band?"
Il am going to ride; you may be my
escort, if you like"
Il shall be most happy" he says slow
", with q lack of flattering eagerness
Mrs Saulton is unaccustomed to have
her gracious permission received in thi:
way, so she says almost coldly;
Don't feel yourself bound to go be-
cause asked you
is Polly goings' he interrupts; and
at this plain betrayal of his feelings
Pollyls sister cannot refrain anger
against him or refrain from laughing.
@No; Polly viii remain at home II
her bedroom, trimming her grst bal
dress all over with rosebuds- real ones
such beauties"
1 ~Extravagsnt Miss Polly! l know tT
nv cost that rosebuds are of price"
aBut they were sent to her they arr