Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1899-04-06
POLLY.

Well, for the life of me cannot see
through it," and Aunt Eliza gave an
extra thump to the bread she had just
been kneeding. Here Polly has re-
fused to marry Squire Jones, a good
young man, with quite a fortune. too.
She must be waiting for 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 be rid o; your troublesome
niece" and she threw her arms around
Aunt ELIAS neck.
why. l don't want to be rid OF you.
Polly, my child" said Aunt Eliza. but
il is not natural for a young girl like
you to want to settl. down into a spin
ster. You ought 10 be married and
have a family of year own to care for
you in your old age"
Polly gave her a f1ischievous look.
Il used to think" her aunt went on.
that you cared for George Wylie, but
when he went away three months ago
saw that you did mt, and l was glad.
He never could have taken care of you
with the pay he earned"
Polly made no an wer, but taking up
book dropped ir:o chair by the
window. She had MT been brought up
in the village. Her father and mother
dying while she WIS quite young, left
her to the care of Ter only living rela-
tive. her mothers sister. So Aunt
Eliza took Polly TO 'er heart and cared
for her as her OWE.
Polly had returned her affection. and
never until now hid she crossed her
aunt in anything. She thought of all
the kindness and .ove that had been
given her, and he- heart smote her
when she saw the sober look on Aunt
ELIAS 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 a
merry laugh.
"Auntie" she sa;i. here comes old
Mrs. Wren. l thiwk l had better go
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'. Mis- Wright, e..s
said. l was jest goin' by and thods nt
would drop in a mint. How'ss your
health?"
Il am pretty wei, thank YOU" said
Aunt Eliza.
Folks say" the old woman began
that Polly refused to marry Squire
Jones, and that Sizes broken-hearted
because George Wriie threw her over
and ran away"
It's no such thinr." and Aunt Eliza
turned an angry fac to her visitor.
"Oh, I was only r-patin' what people
say, and it looks kind O funny. her re-
fusin' Squire Jones and all his money
It's most as good match as my AL
miry made, but of course you couldn't
expect her to do quite as we'll. she
hasn't the style 81 my Almiry.''
With this parting shot the old wom-
an flounced through the door.
Aunt Eliza was .ngry. but when
Polly came home an hour afterward
she found quite peaceful old lady sit
ting by the window sewing.
Here is your pattern, Aunt Eliza. .
she said, throwing package into heI
aunts lap but there are some ex-
plantations to make
While she was standing by her aunt
explaining the why's and vherefores
the door opened softly and before she
could turn round she was clasped close
to a manly breast. and 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 Wy
lie
Aunt Eliza would have spoken. but
George bade her be silent.
We were married" he continued
the night before / sailed for England
but l 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 my fathers
uncle. / went and found myself the
only living heir to fortune of $780,
0OO.''
Aunt Eliza gasped. Now, Aunt" he
went on, Il am going to build man
sion down at the other end of the VIII
lage and you must rent this place and
come to live with Polly and me-"
Poor Aunt Eliza, Ii took her two OF
three days to collect her senses. and
don't know as she would have had
them then il old Mrs. Wren had no;
walked in
Well" she began. before she hardly
got into the house, so Polly made a
good match after sl.'
Yes" said Aunt Eliza, dryiy. sal
most as good as Almiry s.r-Boston
Post.