The morning call., 1892-02-14

shall you tell herr" whispered george
Aston, hurriedly.
"POl-lie" in high staccato.
Coming Good by"
Don't explain tonight"
No" she answered, running 10 meet the
figure standing grimly in the door; yet,
with the soft light Of the astral lamp sneQ-
ding its mellow light around her. she made
a not altogether unpleasant picture. and re-
called the pretty Polly of Olden days, whe
George Borden sang Polly and | were
SWeethearts twenty years ago." not dream
ing that she would be a maid unwed alter
these twenty years had passed away.
He had Just arrived at his garden gate,
after having been in the city for several
days. He paused there, surprised at 1rst
to see his handsome young nephew hanging
over his next neighbours fence, talking
with young girl They were just in tho
act of parting apparently, for the seape-
grace was very near the said young person,
and actually kissed her hand.
The Scamp!'
Now she went flying I'D the path to meet
an older lady-his enemy, 40 doubt or
Princes she was down upon some one in
his humble bachelor quarters. which he had
chosen because he had heard that foolish
woman with a pretty daughter would no t
20 10 SeaView because he and his nephew
she said his brOther-wOud be there. What
harm could he and G Jorge have done the
woman? Neither Of them wanted to get
married-heaven knows he did not-nOr did
he want to prevent anybody from enjoying
the seaside. So he had come to LakeYille
and LETT her TO go her way in peace.
de looked at the woman standing in the
doorway - his next door neghbOr - and
star ed violently.
WHO is that lady ?' he asked, pointing
toward her as his nephew reached his side.
"Why, uncle, you are i'll! What is the
matter? Have you an ague TT that you
shake sop George asked.
That's Polly HarlOwe, or l have seen a
ghost, that is alI.' Mr.. Borden returned,
eXctedly.
Well, uncle. she's real flesh and blood,
and her name is Polly HarlOwe, and there'e
another P0lIie-ahem .-that Pm somewhat
Interested in"
That's the way the wind blows, is ?"
the elder man replied, eying his nephew
keenly in the moonlight.
You used to know a Miss Polly HaT-
lowe years ago, uncle. eau this Lady be the
same?'
d" 1t must be So but how strange that we
should happen to be neighbOTs!" said MIR.
Borden, musingly. as they walked together
up the garden-walk toward the house.
After they bad entered, and All Lee was
brewing the tea, as was the nightly custom,
George told his uncle OF their nelghb0T's
miraculous escape.
And ven must call and explain things,
uncle-o1fer a suitable apOlogy-and per-
hans she can be cO2Xed into entering her
neighbours house some day, under pleasing
auspices. Come, sir, it's never too late to
mend or marry, you know"
What nonsense" frOwning. You're
almost fOCl, George"
- shouldn't wonder if | was next to
one, rtt0rted his nephew. gsyly.
Uncle George made fejnt of throwing
plate at the saucy fellows head, ana with
the threat OF demOllShIng II upon his era
mum, subiUgated him into good behavior.
"Wnat fnulsl what foOls!' Shrieked the
parrot over their heads.
The wise bird had caught the Word and
parT0t-Iike rei'erate Il.
Shut up, Poll" cried George, wrath
fully. You've done damage enough, you
little wretch! And il it wasn't for your
sweet namesake I'd sell you to an Italian
peanut vender for 3 cents, or a heather
Chinee," looking around laughingly At All
Lees sober viSage.
"Cbinaman no likee him, talkee alice
time Makee pie and eat him."
That's a good idea" George returned.
with a sly glance At his uncle, whose genial
face was clouded by apparently sad
thoughts. We vii have him served up for
the double wedding in the fall" he added,
laughing heartily as the color rushed to his
lace. Forgive me, uncle, be said in the
next breath. Il am brute to tritis on a
subject that is matter Of sorrow and re-
greet to You To tell you the truth, | am
running over with happiness, because
think have ever reason 10 believe can
win little Polite for his wife"
do not be too sure, my boy" replied
the other man, sadly. ' | was Just as ceT-
tain once but there's many slip 'twixt
the cup and the liD.'"
What was it that separated you, uncle ?'
George asked. seriously. All Lee having
carried away the tea things. they were
alone.
"a very slight thing" answered Mr..
Borden, slowly, as he drew long pufTs on
his after-tea cigar. - was foolishly jeal-
Gus of a cousin of hers, handsome man,
but inclined to be a trIfle fast. in a mo-
ment of wrath l forbade her to speak or
walk with him, as had been her custom oc-
ca>ionally. She refused, and ! in my anger
said words / regretted an hour after they
were spoken. But she sent me back my
watch and requested hers. In fit of pique
| went West. But fin lily wrote her, beg
giBg that our engagement might be re-
newed She was Obdurate-and so time
went on. was engaged in a Western busi-
ness. When l came back she had gone,
knew not whittier until now"
His voice shook with emo ton as he ended
1T VII II come right now" SAID George,
and he pressed his uncle's hand as he babe
him goodnight.
WHO was that man you was a-talkin' to
nighl?" Miss Polly demanded, with COM
pressed lips
One Of our next-door neighbOrs
aunte," SAID Polite.
And you've made friends with that
saucy young fellow that called me names
have yOu?" aHgrily.
PolIie burst into a such fit Of laughter
that Ter aunt stood staring at her in indig-
nant establishment
"Pl leave this place tomorrow" she
exclaimed.
The next morning Miss Polly was out
quite early looking az her flowers, when a
voice right beside her called out briskly:
Good morning. Polly"
She startrd and looked around. Not a
soul was IN sight.
"Think you're pretty, pretty Oh, what
a fool! Poly put the Kettle On!'
Goodness me" cried the frightened
woman. 1T is Satan HIMSELF Heavens
and earth! It's paTr t!' she added as the
bird walked out from under a large bush I
cveTgrcens, and c0ckiUg up his wicked
round eyes actually wlEked one as he
growed out:
Think you're prPtty-neYer say die-oh,
shut mp" After delivering this wise TRADE
he commenced to sing 'Ha, Polly Popkins"
with great gusto
Miss Harowe had been so interested in
the birds antics that she had not noticed a
gentleman who entered the yard, and he
was now standing close by her side.
"Well," she at last said aloud, 81 thought
it was my next-dOor neighboi saucin' me,
an after all, if was only parrot. l had
really ought to apologize"
Polly. l will accept the apology" an
swered low, manly voice.
George BOIden" shrieked Miss Polly,
turning pale. ''Oh, what has brought you
here?"
Il am your next-door neighbour" be re-
piled, humbly.
Nv hat fools what foolsl" screamed the
parrot, which they had forgotten, turning
his ready eyes upon them.