Daily Republican., 1888-09-13
RER HERO.

Holmsby Hall that had been closed for
| years. The owner was travelling in
Europe 1t was known. and Polly
thought what pity it was that such
an elegant home should be given over
TO spiders and mleel AS she stood
there young man stepped out of the
coppice and addressed her, hat In
hand.
~ think l have lost 10Y way" he
said. ~ found the Hall locked up
and deserted; could you tell me the
way to Holmesborough2"
with pleasure, she replied with an
ATTEMPTED dignity. ~ hardly think
Holmsby."
The puzzled expression in his face
Igradually died away. And who is
this little fortune teller who has di.
Vined my past and present." with a
smile.
II am the district school teacher,
Polly Clifford, and as Holmesborough
10 some distance away am sure my
brother will be glad to receive you at
our little cottage"
II hardly expected to receive such
courtesy," bowling, "but as / am tired
l shall gratefully accept. Perhaps, "
with a smile, "when / am settled In
the Hall shall be able to return your
hospitality"
Polly's simple heart fluttered as she
led the young heir home In triumph
with ambitious thoughts in her curly
mead.
James Clifford and his rosy checked
wife looked rather surprised when
Polly entered with her prize, but when
they were introduced they gave him
an Old-tlme welcome and prepared a
nice supper for him. While the stran-
ger was recounting his travels to the
farmer, Polly ran away TO tel her sis
ter-in-law, Elvlra, the circumstances
OF that romantic meeting.
Wasn't it singular, Filler" she
asked, as she hurriedly twisted 3 rose
cOlOred ribbon through the Curls.
''And, oh, Ellie, If l should be the
lady Of Holmsby HALL Don't you
think he's handsome2 And isn't his
voice low and deep and sweet, just like
Edgar RsvenswoodsP And"
"Hes we'll enough" said Elvira, &c
she lifted the steaming teapot of the
Goals of the kitchen fire; ''Dut he isn't
as good looking as George Bird"
George Birdp cried Polly, con-
temptuously, "a mere pink-and-white
dandyW
"FoI all that" persisted Elvirs,
there's disagreeable LOOK to his
eyes, and sort of sneer TO his lips.
But come, Polly, teas ready now"
Mr.. Holmsby made himself exceed
ingly agreeable that evening-so much
30 that even Elvira was converted to q
more favorable opinion, and little
Polly sat with pink cheeks and glitter
in geyes listening to his graceful elO-
quence.
"Isn't he splendid; Jabez2" she
cried, when at last the guest was in
Quoted into the ''best chamber"
where there was t'store carpet" on
the floor, aud the snowy linen sheets
smelt of sweet clover and dried rose
leaves.
Hes a smooth .tongued fellow
enough, Jabez reflectively answered.
"But don't exactly like the way he
talks about come things"
"ThRrs because you haven't traV-
lelled in Europe" said Polly, disdain-
fully.
Ehe rose early the next morning and
dressed herself in her prettiest blue
lalpaca, with ribbons to match the
color Of her eyes, and a late rose In
her belt, while the breakfast waited
tor Jabez, who had been dispatched to
the village store for white sugar, in
stead of the ry-day brown that was
in the cupboard.
Presently Jabez returned, flushed
and breathless.
SIT beats ALI" he exclaimed, setting
down the cone.shaped grocery pack
lage on the table. do You know
Polly, Holmsby Hall was broken open
yesterday afternoon and all the silver
and linen stoleng And"-
"And l can tell you who did it."
said Mrs. Elyis, jumping, woman
fashion, to an immediate conclusion:
"that yoang man up stairs with q
smoothe tongue and the disagreeable
droop to his eyelids. Don't stand
IBtaring there, Jabez, but run up this
minute and see If he hasn't slipped of
in the night, taking the whole side OF
the house with himl'
Jabez made haste accordingly, while
IPolly and Elvira stood looking mutely
at one another as pale as the bleached
Idamask table cloth that was the pride
LOT the latter's housekeeping, and 10 a
minute he came down again.
"He's gone, and so has ElVira's
grandmother's silver cream jug that
was on the mantel, and the money out
lof The broken china matchsafe that l
Iput under pile of linen sheets, and
imy best Sunday suit and Elvira' s
black dress. No, no, wits, don't cry,
he added, kindly; 'as long as he's LETT
Iyou, and the baby, and Polly, we
won't fret. Only, Polly" with a good
humored twinkle in his eyes, "you
must be little more careful about the
company you invite home with you."
And Pully's tears were tears OF gen
luine modification at this unlooked-fol
lending OF her enthusiastic dream Of
romance
When Mr.. Holmsby really did come
lback the next spring, he turned out 8
fiat, flssy old bachelor, with a thou
sand and one whims; and Polly never
neither saw nor heard anything more
gof her hero.