Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-02-06
GnIh 0uEr
TGln Sa1nunur


This is the story as Polly told 1t to
me over the samovar-bad luck to the
new come Russian of bearded smile
who gave 1t to her! But the story loses
much in coming from the second hand.
for the grace of Polly's tales lies In the
telling-in the light of eye, the twitch
of mouth. the smile and the shrug of
shoulder. and these. by favor of heav-
en-, cannot he put to paper. else ell
would have my Polly.
She-Polly. of course-was asked by
Miss Stanton to spend the night Will.
her. Miss Stanton had moved into
new place during the day and wanted
Polly to help her fix up-Polly knows
by instinct just where this and that
ought to be placed for the best effect
When they got to the house just at
dusk, not soul was at home, and the
immOvable door recalled to Miss Stan
ton that she had not yet asked for
latchkey. For an instant there were
CONSERVATION and blank faces Then
the front windows were tried. One of
them was not locked. Their faces re-
sumed expression.
ITS unlocked all right" said Miss
Stanton in voice made hopeless by
new troubles, but how are we going
to get in? Can you climb?"
Miss Stanton couldn't; that was
plain. Miss Stanton is-well, as Polly
hesitatingly said at the telling, she's
she's wide, you know" And then
Polly spread her hands until about
three-quarters of the width of the ta-
BILE lay between them. about So"
she added.
Can climb? OF course can," said
Polly with the confidence of an all do
ing genius. you just stand in front OF
the window, SO no one can see. and I'll
get i'm
Miss Stanton slipped into position
and Polly disappeared behind her. Just
how Polly got through the window-it
began three feet from the veranda
hoor-ls not to be told, for Miss Stan
ton effectually screens much territory,
and Polly, when asked her, demurely
replied that there were some secrets
that woman could keep.
Just as Polly came down with little
thump within Miss Stanton gave
great gasp without.
"oh. Polly! a policeman! whafn
we doT'
"a policeman cried Polly. peeping
over Miss Stanton's shoulder.
Sure enough there was an officer in
terror inspiring brass buttons. And he
was walking toward the house.
"Quick. Polly! What'n we dor The
voice approached the frantic.
But before Polly could make answer
there came words from the officer.
"Say, you there-come out of that?'
''But-we live-we stay here" expos
tulated Miss Stanton tremblingly.
That's right. Kate. Talk up to
him" whispered Polly encouragingly.
"oh. yes. of course" said the officer
dryly, a man of most painful humor,"
according TO Polly.
'+There was nobody at home, and I'd
forgotten my Iatchkey."
GOOD, Katei Don't let him scare
you" in a discreet undertone from
Polly.
Miss Stanton was trembling.
"That's a nice little story. but It's a
little old. But. say" he demanded
brilliantly. gazing with a most wise
smile at Miss Stanton, who completely
eclipsed the window, ''how did you ex-
pect to crawl through that Window"
Miss Stanton stammered. whereat
the officer nodded his head with even
greater wisdom.
you're smooth. but the games an
old one. I'll just run you in. You're
the kind I'm looking FOL"
But you don't mean to arrest me?
l live herer Miss Stanton cried weak
Iy.
The policeman grlnned. sThat will
not go either. know every one in the
house" Which was the truth. as they
learned later. for he was sweet on one
Of the girls. You might as wei close
the talk and come with me-
he took hold of Miss Stanton's arm.
AS he did so he CHANGED to look over
her shoulder. and his eyes lighted on
Polly. who was calmly biting the I'm
ger tips of her gloves.
'.Hello! So there's two of youT'
eyes" admitted Miss Stanton.
He motfoned to Polly.
''Come out" said he.
'1 won't" said Polly.
He started for her. hnt Polly slipped