Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-07-04
Observation-Disclosures
Polly's Change of Mind.
66@ + course" he was saying, "if
the question concerned only
-, yOu ShnuId mt ask vou for

YOU l. should not ask you for
more than q simple answer, but am
involved too deeply myself to be
shelved lightly, and l feel that have
at least an honest right to be answered
more iengthily than by short No.
However significant that word may, be.
It IL at best insufficient"
might be angry with you for what
you have said" she replied.
Well. yes, but am willing to run
the risk" he said, with short, mirth-
less laugh. 1t had to her ears a little
pathetic ring, and she turned and look
ed curiously at him.
Does it really hurt you SO much,
Dicky?" she asked.
All, Polly" he broke out, roughly,
you women little know how singing
even your softest words are sometimes.
And the sting does not always go away
quickly" he AIDED bitterly.
Poor Dick" she said softly, really
didn't mean to hurt you SO. didn't
know that you cared so much"
He raised his head and looked at her
eagerly, but he saw only pity, and the
drawn, tense look came again over his
face.
Il thought that we were merely good
friends" she continued. 81 never
dreamed that you would have been SO
foolish. We have been such jolly COM
rades, and now you have spoiled every
thing. No, don't interrupt me-" she
said. quickly. "You need not get angry.
You have, You know well. spoiled all.
We shall never be on really good terms
again. There will always be con-
straint."
Polly" he interrupted gravely, do
) you know how you are hurting me7'
She turned upon him, startled at his
words Surely the man sitting opposite
her was not her old Dick.
Forgive me-" she said, contritely; 81
was needless, DEAR" She really pitied
him, yet somehow she hardly knew
how to take him as he appeared now.
Poor Dicky," she said again, ~ ought
to have seen the drift of things, but 1
have been unkind. see 1t all now, but
you will forgive? 1t was simply unin-
territorial"
Dear Polly" he said, you weren't
to blame. l, not you, was blind. |
should have known that you could new
err have cared for such as l. am I'M
worthy of you, have always felt, but,"
he added. II chose to dream, chose to
play with fire. and have got the usual
punishment"
Poor Dlcky." she said. softly, and
even US she spoke n look of wondrous
pity came into her eyes. All her former
ideals seemed to totter and to be ON the
verge of falling.
The other rose unsteadily and held
out his hand. Dear little Polly" and
his voice trembled, you were not to
blame think had better go. / am
tn-good-by. l shall go away for a
while. don't know when l shall re.
turn"
He remained for an instant waiting
for some. answer. but none came. He
tried to scan her face. but there was a
haze before his eyes and he could see
only the blurred oval outlines. Her lin
was quivering, too, and her eyes were
full of tears, yet he did not see them.
Then he turned and walked mechani.
.slly toward the door, opened it and
went out of the room.
The other remained standing. look.
ing apparently at the floor, but in real.
ity saying nothing.
Poor Dicky," she murmured. "poor
Dicky,"" and in her eyes newer light
st.ll shone through the tears. Then run.
ding swiftly to the door she opened II
and called his name.
The sound of her voice startled him
and he turned and looked wonderinplv
at her. The haze seemed suddenly tn
Iift from before him, and he noted for
the first time the little, tear-stained
face. The new light in her eyes stirred
3 aim strangely. The smile that lowered
around her still qulvering lips tanta-
lied him. and at the same time raised
i wild hope in his breast. He ran rather
han walked to her. grasped her hands
'oughly and searched her face eagerly.
Neither spoke for few seconds. and
:len 1t was she who broke the strained
silence.
you foolish boy" was all she said,
but he understood.