Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-08-12

DSeA hSohSopihO ohO uou u llbblG.
Not that the mere fact of our quar-
relling was at all surprising or unu-
sual. We were always quarrelling.
We quarrelled and differed with such
frequency and ease that our wise
friends were in the habit of advising
us constantly and regularly to part
before our wedding day made this
course of action impossible or incon-
venient. But this quarrel had been
an exceptional one in several ways.
To begin with, usually quarrelled
with Polly. This time she had quar-
relied with me. Next, generally be-
gan by pulling some of Polly's admir-.
ers to pieces; to-day she begun by
scolding about an old fame CT mine.
And, rs elimination, regularly got
the better of even Polly's quick tongue
and sharp wits and secured the last
word for myself, but this time Polly
had delivered the final blow with such
crushing effect that was completely
silenced and could do nothing but sit
boring my cane into the gravel path
and biting my mustache.
We were at the park and Polly sat
on one end of the painted iron seat,
her head thrown back in the Gibson
| girl fashion she never affects save when
she is very angry, an unwonted color
in her dainty oval cheek and q danger
ous brightness in her large gray eyes,
which were apparently studying the
cloud formations in the blue sky
above. Her little foot, clad in its
dainty, narrow toed shoes, was tap
ping tho ground impatiently, and she
was humming little tune all out of
tune with the beating of her foot.
knew that that tune was only being
INDUCED in to keep herself from cry
ing, and l was rather glad that she
couldn't make her voice steady enough
to hum "Comin' Through the Rye. "
l knew she wanted to do so, because
that is the tune 1 especially dislike,
but, as said, she couldn't do it Just
then, and 1 was rather glad. So she
went on humming hymn tune, and
her voice kept shaking more and more
when she came to the high notes.
Now she had just told me that she
hated me, and I augured the contrary
from the fact that she was SO near to
tears, so / coughed apologeticalIy and
drew shade nearer to her. After
all, she was SO clearly wrong that
could afford to be generous and speak
first.
So presently I coughed again and
moved up little more. Then, as she
did appear to be conscious of my ex-
istence, coughed once more, cleared
my throat and remarked "Polly."
She made no answer, did not even
turn her head, but observed that her
nostril was inflated dangerously, pre-
cisely like that OF well bred horse
when much excited, and I knew that
she was more angry and nearer to cry
ing than ever. So my heart was glad
and said again: "Polly."
This time she tossed her head the
least in the world, SO / ventured to
take her hand as said: "Polly, won't
you say you're sorry for what you
said?"
She caught her hand away from mine
with pretty air of detestation and
burst forth:
"Say Pm sorry that 1 said Maril
Jones was setting her cap for you
again? No, won't; Pm glad 1 said
it." Terrible emphasis upon the
"glad.")
Now, hadn't meant what she said
about Maria, but about hating me,
but Maria is good girl and my
friend, SO took up the cudgels in her
defence.
''That's very unladylike remark, ;
l said hotly, "and-"
'It is perfectly true," interrupted
Polly, more angrily than before; 81
don't care that" swapping her pretty
gloved fingers, "about whether It'll
unladylike or not I'll say it again.
She is setting her cap at you"
She was white with anger now. and,
seeing this, 1 grew cold, aud thus had
her at disadvantage. Long exper.
fence of quarrels with Polly had
taught me this, and was base enough
to be glad she was SO angry. An angry
woman can never argue to good effect.
So now whistled softly the tune she
specially detested, and waited u mo
ment before l spoke.
Then I said, quietly, but provok
ingly; "Poor Maria. It's no use hel
setting her cap at me now.
This shot had precisely the effect
expected. Polly's eyes fairly blazed
as she turned to me, her previous re-
marks having been directed to the
sky, and declared IN an unsteady
voice: "You needn't say that. l dom
care whether she has you or not;
wouldn't marry you myself at any
price. You're perfectly free from
me-"
! She turned her head back agail