Democratic messenger., 1888-10-06
Put No Trust in Princes.


the picturesque old mansion Of Holmsby
Hall that had been closed years. The
owner was travelling IN Europe Il was
known and Polly thought what a pity II
was that such an elegant home should be
given over to the spiders and mice. As
she stood there young man stepped out
Of the coppice and addressed her. hat In
hand. n
II think l have los, my =" he said.
"I found the hall locked up a.A deserted.
Could YOU tell me the way "a Holmsbor.
ough!"
"With pleasure" she replied witt an
attempt at dignity. ~ hardly think they
expect you so soon, Mr.. IIolmsby."
The puzzled expression In his face grad.
ually died away. "And who Is this little
fortune-teller who has divined my past
and present." with smile.
II am the district school teacher, Polly
Clifford, and rs Holmsborough Is some
distance away am sure my brother
would he glad to receive you at our little
cottage"
II hardly expect to receive such cour.
tesy," bOwing, "but as am tired I shall
gratefully accept" "Perkaps, with a smile,
when am fully settled in the hall shall
be able to return your hospitality"
Polly's simple heart iluttercd as she led
the young heir home in triumph with am.
bilious thoughts in her curly head
Jabcz Clifford and his rosy checked wife
looked rather surprised when Polly en-.
tered with her prize, hut when they were
introduced they gave him an old.,imc wei
come and prepared nice supper for him.
While the stranger was rccOunting his
travels to the farmer Polly ran away to
:s,l he-- )ter-in.law, Elvira, the circum.
staT t'fthat romantic mee,ine.
'' Asn't it singular. Ellie:" she asked,
as she hurncdly twisted a rosc.colored
ribbon through the curls. "And-oh, i'll
should be lady of IIolmsby Hall! Don't
you think he is handsome? And isn't his
voice low and deep and sweet. jus, like
Edgar Ravenwood's? And"
lies well enough" said Elvira, as she
lifted the steaming teapot of the Goals of
the kitchen fire. "but isn't as good.
ing as George Bird"
George Rird!" cried Polly. contempt.
uously "a mere pink.and.w dandy r
"For all that" persisted Elvira, there's
a disagreeablc look to his eyes and sort
ofsneer to his lips. But come, Polly,
teas ready now"
Mr.. Holmsby made himself exceedingly
agreeable that evening-so much 20 that
even Elvira was converted TO more fa.
vorablc opinion aud little Polly sat with
pink cheeks and glittering eyes listening
to his graceful eloquencc.
"lsn't he splende,l, Jabez." sh. cried.
when at last the CUES, was :inducted into
the "best chamber" where there was
''store carpet on the floor, and the snowy
linen sheets smclt of sweet clover and
dried rose lcayes
Hes smooth .tongucd fellow enough"
Jabcz reflectively remarked. But don't
exactly like the way he talks about some
things"
That's because you haven't Travelled In
Europe" said Polly. disdainfully.
She rose early the next morning and
dressed herself in her prettiest blue alpa.
Gu, with ribbons TO match the color Of her
eyes, and late rose in her belt. while the
breakfast waited for Jabez. who had been
dispatched TO the village store for white
sugar instead Of the everyday brown that
was In the cupboard.
Presently Jabcz returned, flushed and
breathless.
ut beats ALL" he exclaimed, setting
down his cone.shaped grocery bundle ON
the table. ado you know. Polly, Holms.
by Hall was broken open Yesterday after.
noon and all the silver and linen stolen {.
And"
And ! can tell you who did it, said
Mrs. Elvira, jumping, woman fashion. to
an immediate conclusion; "that young
man up Stair with the smooth tongue and
the disagrceable drop to his cyelids. Don't
stand staring there. Jabcz. hut run up
stairs this minute and zee II he hasn't slip.
ped Oft In the night and taken the whole
side Of the house with him."
Jabez made haste accordingly, while
Polly and Elyira stood looking mutely at
one another as pale as the bleachcd tia.
mask table cloth that was the pride Of the
latter's housekeeping, and IN minute he
cane down again.
"lIc's gone and so has Elvira's grand
mothers silver cream jug that was on the
mantle, aud the money out Of the broken
china match safe that put under pile
Of linen sheets, and my last Sunday suit
and ElviIa's black silk dress. No. no,
wife. don't cry" he added kindly; "as
long as he has leil you and the baby. and
Polly. we won't fret. Only. Polly" with
good.humored twinkle I'm his eyes, "you
must be little more careful about the
company you invite home with you"
And Polly's tears were tears OF genuine
modification at this unexpected ending OF
her enthusiastic dream of romance.
When Mr.. Holmsby really did come
back, the next spring, he turned out iAt,
short. fussy old bachelor. with thousand
and one whlms; and Polly never either
saw or heard anything more OF her hero.
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