The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-20
POLLY Has HEADACHE.
And How That Headache n1ysteriously
Disaupears.

Disappears.
I stood n the hall and waited while Pol
1y said goodby to her visitors. She kissed
them enthusiastically, told them to be sure
and call again real soon, promised volubly
to call on them at once, kissed them again
all around, waved them last goodby from
the porch and then came back and without
deigning me SO much as a glance swept
majestically into the library. followed
meekly and CROPPED my way with sinking
heart to the armchair. Polly settled her
self on the couch, arranged her skirt with
great precision, folded her hands in hen
hap and gazed abstractedly across the room.
The moment, realized, was epoch max
ing in our two lives and required a steady
nerve. lighted cigar.
whats the matter?'' I asked the ques-
ton from behind the protection of cloud
of smoke. Polly viewed me with elabo-
rate surprise.
"Matter? didn't know that anything
was the matter"
ST was afraid that something had dis
pleased you. DEAR Polly frowned at the
term OF endearment. feared the worst.
Nothing has displeased me. I've got
a headache, that's all, but that will not
interest you
had expected it, and thinking myself
hidden by the smoke allowed a little smile
to appear on my long drawn countenance.
Unfortunately Polly saw it. 1 knew it by
the way she frightened her clasped hands.
became ponderously serious.
81 am very sorry" had meant to add
"dear," but I glanced at her face and my
courage failed me. No one, am sure,
would have ventured on the tiniest bit of
familiarity with Polly at that moment. I
looked at her in undisguised admiration.
She allowed her gaze to settle on me
moment. In that gaze there was nothing
to be hoped for. I resolved on desperate
measures. reIighted my cigar.
81 wish you wouldn't said Polly.
a'Wouldn't What?" I ventured calmly.
"Wouldn't sit there and look at me in
that stupid way. 1t isn't polite, and it
makes me nervous"
"What have doneP" Again the look
of wide eyed surprise.
"You? don't understand"
"Let me explain. You have headache.
You have had them before. The last time
you had a headache, when was present,
was at the Scots. !, in a very laudable
endeavor to be polite, spent portion of
the evening in talking to that little Nor
ris girl OF course the conversation was
such as any one might have heard, but
and mark the coincidence, please-you had
a headache going home Now, tonight
there have been present two more or less
them. I didn't do it for pleasure, but be-
cause they were your guests and it was
the correct thing to do. And now-you
have headache. There are the facts;
draw your own conclusions" I settled
back in my chair very well satisfied with
my statement of the case. Polly viewed
me disdainfully.
"The ideal Just as though I cared
whether you talked to Annie Morris at the
fart too in
supposing that would get jealous of any
one. I'm sure you are quite welcome to
talk to whom you please, and as for those
silly, spiteful Arson girls who were hero
tonight, you can talk to them forever for
all 1 care, and very welcome. Only I'm
sure it isn't very nice to sit all the evening
and not have you say a single word to me
and see that nasty Lilly Anson looking at
you and her sister and thinking horrid
things and-a1sd''-
"But, Polly demonstrated.
land telling every one tomorrow that
you and have had quarrel and-and all
that Not that 1 care fig, but won't
have them saying nasty things. SoP'
The worst was over.
"Now let me explain
"Of course know I'm stupid
"Not bit"
"And not as nice to talk to as-as other
girls, butt
ga great deal nicer
"But have some feelings, - declared
Polly dolefully.
81 wonder you can like me at all, I'm SO
mean" moaned Polly.
| ''Not a bit, dear" I felt stubborn
nod in the region of my cigar case. Chow g
the headacheP'' asked innocently. She
raised her head and looked at me wonder
ingly.
F'What headache?' asked Polly.-Rich-
ard Stillman Powell in Life.
rno1r ~ Time