Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-03-18

voice of our heroine. Il am going"
said Polly.
"Hut your clothes, Polly" cried the
chorus.
II don't care one bit about my
Clothes" said she, defiantly. ''I'Il
take your parasol. Margaret, and I'll
get YOU to smooth my muslin, Jen. and
I've got one glove, and I'm going"
but your hat, DEAR" said Julie.
I'D gladly lend you mine, but it be-
longs to my suit, and is all gray, and
you'd look like Il guy in it.
Never mind" said Polly, dismiss
sing the whole crew with wave of the
hand; II WiN get me a hat. Give YOUR
selves no concern" With these words
she rushed into the house, and in few
minutes had disappeared down the
long. irregular street.
Half an hour later tall young lady
in disreputable bonnet and ging-
ham dress made her entree into fash
ionabie millinery. All the shop-girls,
and that superior person who presided
over the establishment, knew her by
sight as one of the rector of st. Philips
six daughters prettiest one. More
valuable customers were being served,
so she received no special attention.
But presently the head of the establish
mcnt herself heard those unmistakable
tones of command that, though they
came from this insignificant customer,
brought her down on her marrow
bones, SO to speak, and half a dozen
obedient attendants to her side.
Here she cried, with her mouth
full of pins; "show Mrs. Van Dyke
these bonnets; l myself will wait on
Miss Fuller"
:" wish a bonnet that is becoming
to me" said the young lady, calmly.
"Ah! mademoiselle, this is French
hat" Madame exclaimed, "a love, a
beauty, exactly your style, made ex-
pressly for you--bought for you," she
cried, growing bolder, and encouraged
by Polly's pleased gaze at herself in
the mirror.
what is the price?'
''Only fifteen dollars" said Madame
Ito qou, Miss Fuller, the daughter of
clergyman, and a customer" MAR
garet had bought a pair of ribbon
strings there year ago.. Fifteen
dollars only"
Il will take it with me-" said Polly,
laying her moist, hot money on the
counter; for she had carried it in her
hand-hcr gloveless hand-all the way
from the rectory.
Madame smilingly did up the parcel.
She had just offered the hat to Mrs.
Van Dyke for ten dollars, and it was
worth Ska bit of lace, an embroidered
crown and pink rose at the side;
that was all. But one must take money
where one finds it. Polly's fifteen dol
lars were as good as cross Mrs. Van
Dykes ten-bctter by five.
Our young lady got home about half
past three O'Clock. Every body had
gone out but Jen, who, exhausted with
smoothing the muslin, was fast asleep.
She rushed into her tiny bedroom and
began her preparations. Notwith-
standing all speed, Jerry was at the
door with his drag and his guests ere
Miss Polly's muslin was donned.
With all her faults. Polly had little
personal vanity. She seldom looked in
the glass. One reason was that the
mirror was cracked exactly through
the middle; another, that her sisters
criticisms held up to candid view all
faults and defects. She never thought
of her face or head. She threw on her
dress, pitched bonnet on the back of
her curly brown hair, flew down the
steps, and was assisted into the drag
by two grOoms and smiling host.
Miss Miverton leaned back in per-
fectly fitting driving costume, and gave |
her the friendliest of smiles-a little |
condescending, indeed, and was it
slightly amused? That was not posi- |
bic. To be sure, one dimpled hand
was bare, but she had no right to sus-
pect that the other glove would not
soon be used to cover it. White was |
always en- regle and becoming, and |
she had on her fifteen-dollar bonnet. |
So Polly bowed and smiled back again,
and was altogether so sweet and lovely |
and like a June rose that Mr.. Jerry |
Nevins had hard work to keep from |
declaring himself on the spot.
The Kennels. at which the polo game
was played, was very fashionable
place. Every body was out that after
noon. Polly was so happy-happy
with that consolation religion itself
does not always give of being appro-
priately and becomingly dressed. To
be sure, all her income was swallowed
up; she was a wrecked, penniless, for
lorn creature on the morrow, but this
was to-day. "Let tomorrow take
care of the things of ITSELF" quoted
Polly, piously. "Every one is so kind"
she whispered to Jerry, confidingly.
See, they are all bowling and smil-
ng."
How pretty Polly Fuller is!' she
heard somebody say as she passed.
Poor little thing! Did you ever see"
The rest was lost. Polly drew herself
up rather Indignantly. They are
commenting on my bonnet, and won
1ering where l got it-impertinent
:hings!'
Then she looked up and saw Jerry's
Eye fixed on it, and there was the
greatest tenderness in his glance, as if
lie were sorry for her, and yet loved
Ter.
HE thinks, suppose" said Polly
% her alter Gao. s.that this IS the first