Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-10-01

could ever have cared a straw for firta-
tious. heartless little thing like Miss Mon
SELL
"Polly's very well, thank you an
swered George, and presently took up the
morning paper and seemed to be deeply
engrossed in the news.
How strange it is that strong emotions
lie dormant sometimes in peoples hearts,
waiting to be stirred by the merest tonch.
which seems to wake them into full life
and activity in moment.
Here was an instance. Tom stones
careless chat had aroused in George
mind true appreciation Of Poily's loYeli-
ness, and she seemed 10 him now. a. he
sat behind his screening Tribune. not
reading word, the ore treasure without
which nothing in all the world would be
worth having.
Long before they reached Philadelphia
his resolve was fixed His business was
to be completed, one way or another. by
Thanksgiving day, which he was to spend
Of course at the farm; and he would see
Polly alone at the first opportunity. and,
taking his fate in his hands, tell her be
loved her better than all the world beside
and ask her tO be his wife.
1lC was ~ lfuDsttitUt W hUOn NHsii .b'
would say, that three days seemed like
three years; but they were over at last
and with the appointment promised, which
he cared for chiefly now a. something
that would please Polly, he started on his
journey home.
He could not reach the farm until II
O'Clock the night before Thanksgiving, but
he knew Aunt Jane and Polly would sii
up for him. and he even hoped to have a
chance Of speaking to Polly that evening,
while Aunt Jane should be busting into
the Kitchen
Since her fathers death, Polly and her
mother had been living at grandpa's.
The train, a long accommodation, had
never seemed so exasperatingly slow, and
when it stopped at last at BroadIicld STA.
ton, (the march of improvement had
brought the railroad within a quarter of a
mile Of grandpa's), he jumped out IN
haste, and made short work Of the inter
vening hill.
As he rushed up thc steps, the door
flew open and Aunt Jane threw her arms
around his neck, crying:
"Oh, George we would have tele-
graphed, but We did not know where To
find you, il was so sudden"
He staggered back.
mot Polly ?" he groaned.
''Yes, dear, she was only i'll three days,
and we sent Tor uncle Charles, and he and
DR. Thompson thought she was getting
better; but there was sudden change
yesterday aiterno' n,fnd it was all oFer ut
II o'clock last night"
They went into the parlor, and there,
sitting by the fire. they talked OF Polly,
with that strange, distinct memory which
death gives to those who are left.
The sweet, loving ways, the little ser
vices so softly done. the tender charity Tor
every one but herself. the perfect truth
fulness. the whole spotless life, shone all
too brightly now. Sharp words and cold
looks, however little meant. came back TO
both. with keenest pain. and neither of
them could remember that Polly had ever
been known to do one unkind thing. So
the hours went by till poor Aunt Jane put
out the lamp and opened the shutters. and
let in the gray dawning of Thanksgiving
day without Polly, and the two stood by
the eastern window and watched the fair
morning star shine ana flicker. and van
ish out OF their sight / Elizabeth Law
renee, in Spr1ngfcid Republican.