South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-02-27
PoLLYs BISCUITS.

Polly don't buy your pearls to-
day.. Polly Rutherford looked up
quickly from the jewelers. case she
wss bending over, and saw Mr.. Nc
llwsine standing at her side.
Why shouldn't buy to.day..2' she
cried. L have had this hundred dol
lars in gold for almost a year, Mr..
Mcliwaine. trying TO make up my
mind what l wanted most. Now. NV
birthday is almost here again; and [
am afraid grandpa will make this do
for two birthdays, if ! don't hurry
and spend it,
But Polly's gay little laugh was
checked by look OF unmistak able
compass on in the gentlemsn's eyes.
The bright color faded little from
her bright young face. but she would
not ask any questions, here in the
crow led store.
You may put them back to-day,
Mr.. West, she said to the jeWe;er.
Il will come again to. morrow.<
Very well, Miss Rutherford said
the vexed salesman, concealing his
disappointment. Il shall reserve them
for YOU
Polly left the tempting store With
Mr.. Mcllw aine, and once Oh The street,
turned upon him pair Of frank.
questioning eyes, which he found
hard to answer.
Paul hcIlwaiue was friend of
the Rutherford family, but not espe-
cisIIy OF little Polly. She was ouly
sixteen, mere child to the hard.
working lawyer Of thirty. and one
whom heconsidered as altogether friv.
olous and empty. Polly Was an on.
ly daughter, living with a widowed
mother in her grAndfathet's elegant
house and IL she was not Spoiled
girl, it WAS not the fault of the dot.
ing old grandfather. whose idol she
had been from her babyhood.
What did you mean, Mr. Nell
waineT she asked presently. finding
that the questioning look brought no
reply. And then, seeing how embar.
rassed he seemed about answering
she said, with a sudden fear, Have
you been 1t grandpa's since l left
Is nytbiug the maiterP'
they are all WE'LL he said, answer.
log the thoughts which he knew were
in her mind; but something has
happened, Polly. OF course. or would
not have iDterlered with your pur-
ohnse'
'Oh, tell me, tell mel exclaimed
tue girl, IN an sgitaled voice. Why
do you keep me IN suspense 2
What q blunderer am 7 thought
her companion. III | tell her on,
here on the street, there will be q
scene. But 1 am in for it now, and
il don't tell her suppose there viii
be q scene. That's the way with
these fDe young ladies'
1T is hard thing 10 say to you
Polly; but your grandfather hsr
failed
Failed repeated Polly, vaguely
you mean 10 has lost all his money
ls that all Is that what you were
afraid to tell me p
That all means a great deal more
than you seem to understand, saiC
Paul NcIlwaine, impatien,ly, Il
means loss and disappointment AM
poverty to one OF the best gentlemen
In the world. Ii means hard worl
10 your mother, who has no strength
Tor work, TO you
He stopped, and Polly said quick
~, feeling the tinge OF contempt il
his tone
Never mind about mo. But I se,
now how bal II will be. Poor grand
Pal Mr.. McIlwsine, does-must--
| will anybody else lose by grandpa
failure 2
1T is too soon 10 say positively,
be replied, but I think not. think
he has quit business in time TO say,
bis creditors any appreciable lose
Polly/s head was up now, and hel
eyes shining.
Il am ashamed that asked the ques
ton. I might have known But
Oh I'm so much obliged to you for
keeping me from spending my hun.
dred dollsrsl II was very kind oil
you, very. / dou't know how you
caue TO end me. How long have
you known about grandpa .
II only came out this morning. and
TOOK US all entirely by surprise. Bat
mere We are 81 your door. Good-by,
my dear. II can DO ofsany service
to you 10 any way, Che meant to offer
her money, but be was suddenly
afraid TO speak of such a thing to che
spirited LOOKING girl befora him \ sre.