Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Nev. County, Ark.) 1885-1???, 1892-05-05
gently of all she had seen there.


in which he had buried himself; and
Miss Polly Peace WAS the object Of
the adoring attention of beth young
men; while Mrs Bradford fitted
about doing her best to MAKE her
guests comfortable. Supper was s
success; Mr.. Offcnhelmer played,
and there was dancing. Even the
librarian joined in the quadrillc, al
though he invariably made a mistake
in every figure, and old Mrs. Merry
field did the steps as she had been
taught in dancing-school in her
youth.
Mr.. James proved to Jessie Jack
son that nothing was SO easy as the
polka. And Polly Peace declared
that she never before heard music
chat made one dance whether one
would or not. Polly was a young
English girl who had come to Amerl-
ca with her father, who had now re-
turned to bring back the rest of his
family, and had left his daughter
to board with some people in the
village until his return. She was
we'll connected, pretty, accomplish
ed, and something Of coquette.
To Mrs. Bradford's fancy, the
evening passed delightfully."-; and
when the last guest had departed, she
returned to the parlor with a pleased
smile, to find one OF her boys-Roy
sitting sulkily by the fire. Erwin
had just seen Polly Peace home, and
Roy was indignant over the fact,
she could PLAINLY see; but what it
was he would not tell her. Vexed at
the manner in which he answered
her, Mrs. Bradford left the room
to put away her silver, and was busi-
" occupied IN the dining-room, when
she heard angry voices in the parlor,
aud hurrying thither, found the
brothers engaged ia their first quar-
rel They had never had the slight
est disagreement before.
you knew intended to go home
with her." cried Roy.
What if | did," said Erwin.
You had no right to sneak into
my place in such cowardly man
ner, said Roy.
Your place." SAID Erwin.
"iIow did it come to be your place !?
l tell you Polly was very well pleas
ed that it should be as it was"
"You lie!" said Roy.
Boys. boys," exclaimed Mrs.
Bradford, this is dreadful" "
- But even as she spoke, Erwin had
lifted his hand and struck Roy a
blow across the face.
Roy did tot return it. He turned
deadly pale, looked al his brother
for one moment, then said slow
ly-
This parts us forever, Erwinn'
Aud seizing his hot and coat, he
walked ont of the house.
He did not return, 1t was the
straugest most horrible thing to Mrs.
Bradford, and to Erwin after his
passion had cooled down, They did
all the could to discover what he had
done and whittier hs had betaken
himself; but they never received any
news.
After while Mrs. Bradford de-
cided that her son was dead that he
had committed suicide during his
anger, and because Of what Erwin
had said about the feelings of Polly
Peace. In her anguish she told the
Girl all, and learned that Roy had
visited her much more frequently
than Erwin, and that he had good
reason to think she liked him. After
this the two women were fast friends,
Bat Mrs. Bradf0rd's home vas sad
one; the little psrty which had its
origin in pleasant feeling had
brought her great trouble, to tive or
three others much happiness.
Jessie Jackson had won lover by
it. and was soon married to Mr..
James. Old Mr.. Nellum had called
on Mrs Merryheld, and though
neither would see Gfty-fve sgsin,
they had concluded to end their lives
together. The old Germans found
little circle Of admring friends,
to all of whom they were introduced,
on that Christmas day with which we
open cur story. Only poor Mrs,
Bradford aud her son regretted it.
And when three years had rolled by,
Erwin, who was young and a man
and found it easier to regain cheer
fulness than bis mother, married a