The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-06-01

you mean by sneakin' in here without
1ettin' anybody know you was comm
an sneakln' out again without lettin'
any body know why you did come?
Now what have you got to, say?''
"Shut the door, old man. Ira loo."
"Wait!' the old man commanded.
"Who are you and what did you want
with this young woman?"
go on, driver. So long, old top"
And off they went.
Miss Polly" said the old man, turn
ing toward the editor, what do it
mean?"
"Your shirt collar is unbuttoned
again. was all she said.
CHAPTER II.
That evening in the house of old man
Aimes there was silent supper party,
Nell's flowing friendship had been
rudely checked and a sharp heel had
been set upon the old mans dignity.
And it looked as though a GOODNESS
must necessarily follow. The strangers
had brought a mystery with them and
had left it in the village, and in this
mystery stood Polly Lopp.
Not word had been spoken. Pollv
arose to leave the table. Nell looked
up and her counteuance was sorrowful.
not so much that there might be a
compromising mystery, but that it was
kept dark from her.
''Goin', Miss Polly?" Aimes asked.
Eyes, I am through with nv sup
per-"
But wait a moment. Now there's
no need of foolishness between us: we
are your friends and you ought to
speak out. Them men comm here
and bein' so familiar like with YOU will
cause a scandal, and it's for me to de-
termine as the mayor of this town
whether or not I can stand bv YOU.
But first you must tell me-never mind
about my shirt bein' unbuttoned and
all that sort of thing-you must tell
me somethin' about them men. Now
will you?''
Eyes. They came and they went
away. That is all you need to know"
mot be slatherin' - excuse nv
strength-no, it amt. Where did YOU
know them?"
II might have met them in CITY,"
"Hah, what's that? Might have met
them in a city, but why? That's what
want to know. Didn't you hear one of
them refer to me as old tor and I've
eeen ten years mayor of this town2
Hah, didn't you hear that? And WHY,
then, should you have met them in
city, or anywhere else?'
when l probably met them wears
ago perhaps was not aware that thev
were going to refer to you as old tor"
Nell laughed, and the old man
scratched his head. well, now, we'll
say that you couldn't help meeting
them" he went on, but we can't saw
that you had to become so well &C.
quainted with them as to let them call
you Polly. I CAD, don't call you Pol
~ and I'm the mayor of this town and
have been for ten years this comm
July, CAD. Hope the Lord will in the
meantime excuse both gads. Hah.
now answer me that, will your"
All that you need to know, Mr..
Aimes, you shall know in time"
"Hah, in time? But what win the
people OF this town think when they
come to me to find out and put them
on with your sayin' that they shall
know In time? CAD, miss, when the
people of this town want to know a
thing there amt no SIGH thing as time
the whole scheme is on eternity until
they find out, and unless they find out
before the next election I'm beaten as
sure as a horn, and I've been mayor SO
long now that can't quit. Set down
here now and tell us, won't you?"
Not this evening. Nell, I'm going
out into the garden
Polly was sitting in the summer house
when Nell Joined her. They were ! 81
lent Tor r.'a time and then Nell said: Il
am SO sorry that any thing should have
happened. was as happy as could
DO until then. Tell me, dear. what IL