People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-09-22
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

just been knta..lg. "llere, Polly has
refused to i..:.ly Squire Jones, a
good, young han, win quite a for
tune, too. She must 0e waiting for a
prince"
You're a Yankee for guessing"
said Polly, laughing heartily as she
came into the room just in time to
hear the last remark. Poor auntie,
it's shame you cannot Zoe rid OF your
troublesome Niece" and she threw
her arms around Aunt ELIAS neck.
"Why, don't want to be rid Of you,
Polly, my child" said Aunt Eliza,
''but it is not natural for young
girl like you 10 settle down into a
spinster. You ought to be married
and have family of your own to
care for you in Your old age.
Polly gave her mischievous look.
81 used to think" her aunt went on,
that you cared for George Wylie, but
when he went away three months ago
l saw You did not, and l was glad.
He never could have taken care Of
you with the pay he earned"
Polly made no answer, but taking
up a book dropped into a chair by tie
window. She had not been brought
up in the village. Her father and
mother dying while she was quite
young, left her to the care of her on
ly living relative, her mothers sister.
So Aunt Eliza took Polly to her heart
and cared for her as her own.
Polly had returned her affection,
never until now had she crossed her
aunt in anything. She thought of all
the kindness and love that had been
given her and her heart smote her
when she saw the sober look on Aunt
Eliza's face.
Turning her head, she glanced out
Of the window just in time to see
short, dusty figure coming slowly up
the walk. She turned to her aunt
with merry laugh.
"Auntie," she said, here comes old
Mrs. Wren. l think / had better 60
down to Mrs. Peters and get the
dress pattern she is cutting for you,'
and she disappeared through the
back door.
Aunt Eliza frowned. She knew well
enough what Mrs. Wren's errand was.
The door opened and in came the
old woman, bringing a cloud of dust
with her.
"GoOd-mornin', Miss Wright" she
said. Il was jest goin' by and
thought | would drop in a mint
How's your health?"
Il am pretty well, thank YOU" said
Aunt Eliza.
Folk say" the old woman began,
that Polly refused ter marry Squire
Jones and that she's broken-hearted
because George Wylie threw her over
and ran away" -
ITS no such thing" and Aunt Eliza
turned an angry face to her visitor.
"Oh, was only repeatin' what peo-
pie say, and it looks kind O. funny.
her refusin' Squire Jones and all his
money. It's most as good match as
my Almiry made, but of course you
couldn't expect her to do quite as
well; she hasn't the style of my Al
miry."
With this parting shot the old wo-
man founced through the door.
Aunt Eliza was angry, but when
Polly came home an hour afterward
she found quite a peaceful old lady
sitting 10y the window sewing.
While she was standing by her
aunt, explaining the why's and where
fores, the door opened softly and be-
fore she could turn round she was
clasped close to "a manly breast, anc
Aunt Eliza looked up to see Polly in
the embrace of George Wylie.
What does this mean?" she de-
manded
You must forgive Polly and me for
a little deception, but the fact is that
this is my wife, Mrs. George Wylie."
Aunt Eliza would have spoken, but
George bade her be silent.
We were married." he continued.
the night before / sailed for Eng
land, but | think you will forgive me
when l tell you that my journey there
was in answer to a summons for the
heirs of Richard Wylie, who was nv
fathers uncle. l went and found
myself the only living heir to for
tune of $4,000"
Aunt Eliza gasped. "Now aunt"
ne went on, 81 am going TO build a
mansion down at the other end of the
village, and yen must rent this place
ana come TO live with Polly and me-"
Poor Aunt Eliza! It tooh her two
or three days to collec; her senses.
and don't know as she would have
had them then if old Mrs. Wren had
not walked in.
Well" she began. before she hard
" got into the house. $50 Polly made
o good match after all.
Yes" said Aunt Eliza, dryly, al
most as good as Almiry's. Chicago
Journal.