The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-08-27
CHAPTER iii.


What boy could ever hold his tongu
when he ought to, or keep secre.?
"Polly, must tell you," says Dick
after she had her bonnet on, ready tt
start. Come off here-it is secret.
caught the doctor for you, miss; tolC
him how you were crying your eyes ou
about him, and how you were dyin!
after him. I heard you say so. Oh,
managed this matter nicely. Now
thank me for it, miss"
Polly was stunned. II she did not care
particularly about ohm Cary herself. sht
at least imagined him to be greatly ir
love with her. 1t was too cruel to destroy
the pleasant illusion.
And Dick stood hopping first on one
leg, then on the other, waiting to be
thanked. She could have boxed him.
A moment more and the farewells
were over, and Polly and her husband
were rolling side by side to the station
"Polly, DEAR" says her husband,
"we've been in such stir and hustle
and-and even our courtship in such
confusion, that I'm glad we'll have a
chance to get acquainted with each
other. You'll call me John, won't you,
dear?"
"oh, yes" she answers, coldly. ANY.
thing will do"
"And you'll kiss me, now, won't you,
Polly? Do you know you have never
kissed me a single time yet?"
"Some people are coming, and they
will laugh to see US such geese" says
Polly, hurriedly. pulling her veil over
her face.
"You scarcely feel that you know me,
do you, Polly?"
She was crying so she could not an.
swer. and Doctor John sighed rather
sadly to himself.
II don't know much about women S
ways, am afraid"
mot this year, nor the next one,
either" Dicks words seemed prophetic.
Polly did not even get half way to tho
city. Doctor John had gone to the cooler
to bring her cup of water, and when
next Polly opened her eyes, she was lying
on her own bed in her own room, dark
ened, feeling very sore and weak and
stiff.
Doctor John, looking much older and
anxious and wan, had his fingers on her
wrist, counting her pulse.
A railway accident, of course. Polly
had terrible time of it getting well,
but she found out what a kind, good. de-
voted husband she had in those weary,
trying weeks of pain.
Whel. at last, there came day wh en-
she could again be daintily dressed in
becoming ribbons, and when once more
crimps and curls were part of life, it
was a great day for them.
1--WE were married last year, Polly"
says John, looking at her admiringly
Here it is the middle of new Janu-
ary. We've been man and wife five
len lsngg g. weeks. Quite an old couple aren't
/ Polly put her hand in his.
You have never kissed me yet,
Polly"
I'm do it now" And she put her
arms around his neck.
"He! he! what fun" came giggling
from the half-open door, and Dick
dashed off down stairs.
Patsy and Kitty came rushing up to
see what could the matter be, and as
Kitty reported, Polly justup and kissed
her husband as bold as lion before them
I'LL" though her face was as pink as the
rose on her breast, and John Cary was
blushing like girl.
And though when Polly got we'll and
strong enough she gave Dick good
shaking, she thanked him all the same in
the bottom of her heart, and they both
petted and made much of the boy, till
Patsy and Kitty declared he was on the
high road to ruin.
But John pr,ving good husband,
Polly was right. Marrying a man is
like eating mushrooms. If you die they
were toadotools, if you live they were
mushrooms. If 4 man heats you he is a
toadstool; if not, be sure he is some
kind Of mushroom. for which be
thankful.