The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-19

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a ribbon for her hair and bright and
happy, Margaret was satisfied.
Polly danced and sang, accepting all with
OUT a thought of her sisters sacrifices. She
grew up to be beauty, and finally graduated
from the public school much to Margaret's
delight.
The younger boys now began to get places
! to work and the strain was not quite SO
great. Margaret obtained situation in
drygoods store, and they moved into a better
! flat and had more of the comforts of life.
! Why. how pleased you look!" exclaimed
Polly one evening when she opened the door
for her sister. Got raise?"
NO, indeed laughed Margaret; Il wish
had!
She did not tell that John Murray, the
1oorwalker in her section, had walked to the
car with her and asked if he might call the
next night
He came and Margaret received him with
fluttering heart, for she had never attracted
any mans attention before. After a few
minutes Polly came ill., and from that
nlent the world was changed for John Muir
ray.
Polly, pretty Polly, with her vivaciaus con-
versation, her coquettish airs, and ravishing
dImple, completely fascinated him. Margaret
saw it ALL She sat there with the lines grad
ually deepening in her face, and wished she
had not been so foolish to crimp her hair.
Such frivolous things We're for Polly and she
was rightly punished.
|
was plain that it was Polly he came to see.
They became engaged, and after awhile he
obtained a position in a wholesale store and
! there was excuse for delaying the mar
riage.
Margaret worked early and late that Polly
might have pretty things for her wedding.
The day was set and a small company in
vlted. Then she found the little note-and
| Polly gone. Not word of thanks to the
sister for her self denial-never kind word
for the man she had treated cruelty.
Two years dragged slowly on and nothing
was heard of Polly. They made effort to
find her and did not even know the name Of
the man she married. She dropped COM
pletely out of their lives as if she had died.
John Murray continued to call at the little
home-they had a common sorrow, but Pollys
name was never mentioned
| One night when Margaret seemed more de-
pressed than usual, he said
| margaret, you must not grieve so much.
Come, get on your things and let US go to
some place of amusement and see the lighter
side of life"
| They went to one of the music halls and
there they saw Polly. She came out upon the
stage with penciled eyebrows, painted cheeks,
and scant attire and sang a song with
many suggestive winks and smirks. The look
OF innocence had left her face, and when she
performed a series of high kicks Margaret
was so shocked she almost tainted
John sat as if turned to stone and realized
as never before that contrast between the
painted woman ono the stage and Margaret,
and wondered how he could ever have loved
Polly. 81
".Shall We go now?" he asked when Polly,s
turn done.
Yes" said she, and they left the hall and
went to the stage entrance and waited.
At last Polly came out.
"Polly! said Margaret, stepping forward
with outstretched hands
Polly gave a start at the familiar sound
and stared in establishment at the two before
her.
Polly, come home with me and give I'D
fnt sold
in her eyes.
mo, no." she answered. don't ask me.
her off and ran so fast down the street they
could not follow, and disappeared around a
corner.
/ Sadly they went home and John drew Mar
garet's head to his breast and told her to
have good cry. Then he asked the right to
comfort her always.
| Next morning she received a letter from
Polly:
| Il knew just how you felt when you saw
me at the show tonight and how much I
shocked you. Necessity forced me into the ,
business The man that 1 chose in prefer
ence to honest John Murray deserted me af
ter few months and 1 discovered that he
! had another wife living and l was not his
wife at all. Not wishing to come back to Won
in my disgrace l went from bad to worse nd
drifted to the vaudeville stage Never aeain
will be seen there for tonight shall end ~
all. Good-by my dear sister NAV Won go
John be as happy as you deserves the 10 Ct
/ wish Of your loving POTTy1
The morning papers contained an acoo,n+
OF the oeatn OF an another music hall singer
from an overdose of morphine.
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