Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-02-08
Dangers Of Flirting.

Polly was pretty aud she knew il
She was nurse-girl at Squire Ridge
ways, but she knewit just as wei
as If she had been queen. sh
knew Others thought SO too an,
though she was engagcd--or "al
the same as engaged"-to -Leonart
Hopper, she could not keep from
flirting with anyone who shove,
the least desire to flirt with her.
And Leonard Hopper did not lik,
it, and they quarreled and parted
aud made it up again-not once bu
a hundred times.
The flirting with the young me,
be knew wss bad enough, but thes
wss something worse. . : 3 =
Whenever polly took the baby
Squire Ridgeway's little grandaught
or. and the pride Of the family--u,
to the park to walk, she was sure t,
go into the pretty arbour that over
looks the lake, and there, after
while. to be joined by young maj
such an elegant gentleman, Poll,
thought, who paid her such compli
ments.
Nobody knew about this bu,
cook. 1t was cook who told me tho
story. and over and over again, cook
declared that she ought to he ashan,
I'd Of herself, and that Leonard was
worth twenty Of that fellow.
But Edgar Montmorcncy was Sc
elegant, so charming.
sand it is well to keep two
strings to your bow, cook" said Pol.
ly; Leonard is so cross sometimes. +"
Thus matters stood when 4lh OF
July came near. Squire Ridseway
and his family were gone out OF
town, and cook and Polly Kept
house.
Generally only one left the house
at a time, but the Fourth was spe-
cial day. Polly and cook were both
going out, and polly was to take the
key in her pocket and be home
first.
All was settled. She had made
up her mind to see the procession in
the morning and the fireworks in
the evening, and she was quite short
with Leonard when he came on the
evening of the third, and said in a
hesitatins sort Of way:
'"Polly, mother wau,s you to take
tea and spend the evening with her.
viii you?'
Il want TO see the fire works" /"
said Polly.
'Very well, Polly" said Leonard.
ND take you, if I could, but
something will keep me from going
with you tomorrow evening""
II sha'n't spend my time indoors
tomorrow" said Polly
So Leonard went away with sad
face, and Pollie sat crimpling the
ruffles for her cuffs, and thinking OF
Edgar Montmorency.
Cook went out early in the morn
ing, SO did Polly, but at five she re-
turned, made herself smart, and
went out again.
At the corner she met Edgar Mont
morency, and he offered his arm
took her first to an ice cream saloon
then through the streets, passed
crowds of men and boys, until they
came to great platform.
"I've got seats engaged here,''
said Edgar; and Polly, proud of her
fine gentleman who could get seats
among quality mounted the steps
and took her place.
an stand behind you," said Ed.
gar; "and give me that great heavy
key, for it's what no lady should
have to bother with; it's too big.
Besides, your pocket is not safe in q
crowd"
Polly took the key from, her pock'
ct, and her beau leaned over her
and the display began.
There were stars, wheels, crosses
eagles and banners; Liberty. and al
the rest Of it; and as Liberty wa,
vanishing in a blue fizzle, EJgaI
Montmorency whispered:
"lm going to get you some can
dy," and made use of his long leg
to Chamber over the benches, ane
was gone.
Polly sat still gaping at the show
and uttering "ohs!" and "ahs!" o
delight, and the time passed 81
quickly that she did not know hoy
long she had been deserted, whe1
suddenly the last gleam Of colo
dropped down from the sky in
train Of sparks, and people began +
move.
Where was Mr.. Montmorency
Polite looked about her. There wa
no sign Of. him.
The crowd was dispensing, tn
windows were growing dark; but h
I l:J -