Connecticut western news., 1889-07-24
She is, then, out of her sensesa'

 whimsical young woman. She has a reputation for peculiarity. Her large and independent fortune has made her somewhat crochety. I am not greatly astonished at this freak, remarkable though it is. Evidently she has tired of gaieties, frivolities, and has taken this course for complete change. l have read of such things, said the col onel, thoughtfully, but never before have seen it. If it were the act of any but an eccentric, self willed young woman, could not believe my eyes,
 But nobody outside of 8 mad house, said l, and considerably more in that strain.
 s.All in vain. When the colonel be- took himself and his butterfly net and his bottle of ether into the woods, some time later, it was with his phenomenal belief unchanged.
 "I shall not accost her, said he. An exposure would undoubtedly annoy her.
 alphabetically said I.
 "That's the first chapter of the com edy. To comprehend the sequel you must understand that the colonel i, garrulous. When l saw him talking to Harry Fosdick, and later to MT. Pierson- when observed them listening with open mouths and bulging eyes-I knew what he was imparting.
 ''Now, I'm discreet and far-seeing. l kept my counsel and awaited develop ments.
 "Sure enough, the little Fosdick joined me in the parlor one morning.
 '''That is charming girl at your table, Mrs. Gerry said he. And a lady. That is evident. Imay as we'll confess that I am much impressed with her. Some men would blush to confess it, Mrs. Gerry, merely because she has not high social position nor money. r. said the little wretch, 'am man of more independence. I admire Miss Polly and own it boldly
 "Bahl how I wanted to take him by the collar and shake him. But knew his sin would overtake him, for Iknew his corrupt little head was tcemiug with thoughts of tho Gardner half million. Where pure meanness is concerned am merciless. own that chuckled.
 "Then came along Mir. Pierson, of the lady like hair. He referred to Polly in terms of warm approval.
 When I marry, Mrs. Gerry,' he re- marked, I marry the girl of my hearts choice, an1 not the parti indicated by worldly prudence. If it be necessary to slap society in the face, Mrs. Gerry, shall do it.
 s.If you could have seen him as he uttered it! His weak blue eyes tried to flash, but didn't succeed, and he forti. fled himself with the head of his cane.
 Go on, addle-patesl said I, in. wardly. It's fun for me. Go onl'
 ''so it was, and for verybody else; though with everyb body else they got the credit of being honestly in love with my poor Polly. I had the real enjoy ment all to myself.
 "Polly didn't know how to take it. To have two fine young men of sudden paying her all sorts of respectful atten- tions-looking at her and smiling a her, hurrying through their meals 1T order to get chance to speak to her lowing to her as they would have tt any lady when she entered the dining room-well, Polly was bewildered, tha was obvious.
 ''The frizzled and red jerseyed wait resses didn't like it. They giggled among themselves, and went about witl noses perked up.
 'What Polly endured in the kitchen, I don know, but the dinin groom at mosphere was an indication of it.
 "How shall I place the ensuing period realistically before youl Try to imagin' it! "Fosd1ck gave Polly fresh flower every day, and Pierson sent to Nev York for a box of the best confectionery Fosdick hung about se1ulously whel Polly was on the scene; Pierson sus pect of having sent notes to her by tho bellboy.
 Finally, as a desperate move-yo' wouldn't have believed they'd have gon' to such lengths on mere spe culation- but Fosdick sent to the city for hi trap, in bold readiness for the next stel in the campaign, and Pierson walked mile to livery stable to see if ther were any suitable buggies for hire. "I have relatives, Mrs. Gerry" said Pierson, who would be shocked t. know of my honest admiration for waitress. What do I carea l snap m, fingers at theml'
 "And he heroically snapped.
 s''I do not ask myself what the world would say, Mrs. Gerry said Fosdick- Fosd.ck grew most confidential toward the !ast-sbecause I am not that kind o a man. I am my own master, that shal be seen!' -
 'I presume they fondly believed tha 1 repeated their remarks to Polly, know ing me to be on good terms with her.