The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-10-12

thing said the colonel. thoughtfuIly,
but never before have I seen it. If
1t were the act of any but an eccen.
tric. self.wilded young woman. 1
could not believe my eyes,
"'But nobody outside of a mad
house, said I. and considerably more
In that strain.
"AlI in vain. When the colonel
betook himself and his butterf1y.net
and his bottle of ether into the
woods. some time later, 1t was with
his phenomenal belief unchanged.
"'I shall not accost her. said he.
AN exposure would undoubtly an.
noy her,
"'Undoubtedlv.' said I.
"That's the first chapter of the
comedy. To comprehend the sequel
you must understand that the colonel
Is garrulous. When saw him talk.
ing to Harry Fosdick, and later 10
Mr.. Pierson-when 1 observed them
listening with open mouths and bulg-
ing eyes-I knew what he was i'm
parting.
"Now, Pm discreet and far.seeing.
l kept my counsel and awaited de-
velopments.
''Sure enough, the little Fosdick
Joined me In the parlor one morning.
"'That Is charming girl at your
table, Mrs. Gerry said be. And a
lady. That Is evident. I may as
well confess that I am much im.
pressed with her. Some men would
blush to confess it. Mrs. Gerry mere
~ because she has not a high social
position nor money. IT, said the
little wretch, 'am man of more in
dependence. 1 admire Miss Polly
and l own it boldly
bah how 1 wanted to take him
by the collar and shake him. But
knew his Gin would overtake him,
for knew his corrupt little head was
teeming with thoughts of the Gard.
ner halfmillion. Where pure mean.
ness is concerned / am merciless.
own that l chuck'ed.
"rhen came along Mr.. Pierson. of
the lady-like hair. He referred to
Polly in terms of warm approval.
"'When l marry, Mrs. Gerrv,' he
remarked. L marry the girl of my
hearts choice. and not the party in
Dictated by worldly prudence. If it
be nessary to slap society in the face,
Mrs. Gerry. I shall do it,
IF you could haye seen him as he
uttered it! His weak blue eyes tried
to flash, but didn't succeed. and he
fortified himself with the head of his
cane.
"'Go on, addle, pates! said I. in.
wardlv. It's fun for me. Go onp
$50 it was. and for everybody else;
though with everybody else they got
the credit of being honestly in love
with my poor Polly. 1 had the real
enjoy ment all to myself.
"Polly didn't know how to take it.
To have two fine young men of a
sudden paving her all sorts of atten-
tion-looking at her and smiling at
her. hurrying through their meals
in order to get a chance to speak to
her. bowling to her as they would
have to any lady when she entered
the dining room-well, Polly was
bewildered. that was obvious.
1.-THE frizzled and red .jerseyed
Mattresses didn't like 1t. They gig.
gled among themselves. and went
about with noses perked up.
"What Polly endured in the kitch.
en-. I don't know. but the dining
room atmosphere was an indication
of 1t.
How shall I place the ensuing
period realistically before you? Try
to imagine it.
"Fosdick gave Polly fresh flowers
every day. and Pierson sent to New
York for box of the best confec-
Fosdick hung about sedu.
lousy when Polly was on the scene;
Pierson I suspected of having sent
notes to her by the bell.boy.
"Finally a desperate move-you
wouldn't have believed they'd have
gone to such lengths on mere specu.
lation-but Fosdick sent to the city
for his trap. in bold readiness for the
next campaign, and Pierson walked
a mile to livery stable to see if
there were any suitable buggies for
hire.
"'I have relatives. Mrs. Gerry
said Pierson, who would be shock ed
to know of my honest admiration for
q waitress. What do care? I snap
my fingers at them!
"And he heroically snapped.
81 do not ask myself what the
world would say, Mrs. Gerry said
Fosdick-Fosdick grew most conf.