The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1900-08-10
POIly's Change of Mind.
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66 ~ Z course" he was saying. IF
u the question concerned only
you / should not ask you for
more than a simple answer but l am
involved too deeply myself to be
shelved lightly, and feel that l have
at least an honest right to be answered
more lengthily than by a short No
However significant that word may be,
t is at best insufficient"
Il might he angry with you for what
you have said" she replied.
We'll, yes, but l am willing to run
Il e risk" he said, with a short mirth-
less laugh. 1t had to her ears little
pathetic ring, and she turned and look
ed curiously at him.
Does it really hurt you so much.
DickyY she asked.
"Ah, Polly" he broke out. roughly.
you women little know how singing
even your softest words are sometimes.
And the sting does not always 90 away
quickly" he AIDED bitterly.
Poor Dick" she said softly, really
I 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. Il 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 a con
straint"
Polly" he interrupted gravely. do
/ you know how you are hurting mef'
She turned upon him. startled at his
words Surely the man sitting opposite
her was not her old Dick.
Forgive me-" she said contritely; ~
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,"I ought
TO have seen the drift of things. but
have been unkiud. l see it 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. l am un-
worthy of you. l have always felt. but,
he added. Il chose to dream, l chose t.
play with fire, and have got the usual
punishment"
Poor Dicky" she said, softly, and
even as she spoke a 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 tC
blame. think l had better go. an
in-good-by. l shall go away for q
while l don't know when l shall re
turn
He remained for an instant waiting
] for some answer but uoue CAME. 1T
tried to scan her face, but there was ,
haze before his eyes and he could SEE
only the blurred oval outlines. Her Iii
was uuiverlng, too, and her eyes wer,
full Of tears. yet he did not see them
Then he turned and walked mechani
cally toward the door, opened it anC
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, poo
Dicky," and in her eyes newer ligh
st,ll shone through the tears. Then run
ming swiftly TO the door she opened /
/ and called his name.
The sound Of her voice startled him
, and he turned and looked wonderingl,
AT her. The haze seemed suddenly I,
! lift from before him, and he noted 70
; the hrst time the little, tear-staine,
face. The new light IN her eyes stirre,
him strangely The smile that hovere,
around Der still quivering lips tRnta