The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-02-02
POLLY's DOINGS

Polly closed the door behind Miss
Mason and then sank iIftO chair
across the table from me.
"All men are workable" she began,
: sententiously.
"A generality" said 1. "An In
stance?"
II was just going to give it. You no.
! ticed Miss Mason's left hand?
Yes: couldn't help It. Who is he?"
Mr.. Herrick you know him. A
very clever fellow. Almost as clever
as you are. Tom" She was smiling
just bit.
Remarkable man." l agreed. heart
ily-whereat the smile increased.
Yes" Polly folded her arms ON the
table and, leaning forward, gazed COM
placently across at me. Its all my
doing. too"
Indeed l cried "Why, you're a
genius. Polly" q know how to make
her SMILEY How did You do it,
well, | knew she loved him and he
loved her. But
You knew--but how;" l interrupt
ed.
Polly twitched her shoulders and
threw her head to one side. Easy
enough. Eva told me that she cared
And well. you see, one doesn't need
telling when mans in love-"
] ignored the down-thrown gaunt-
let. Perhaps she would smile again.
But he, poor fellow, hadn't the
heart to make known his heart-I saw
that. They were up here day before
yesterday. While | was making ready
to brew some tea little idea jumped
up in my head. You know they come
to me that way sometimes"
| nodded.
81 didn't stop to think, but turned
around to face them with the teaball
dangling from one finger.
BY the way | said, L suppose it
won't be out of the way for me to con-
graduate you twoY
What for? asked Eva. looking UP.
She was surprised. Mr.. Herrick just
looked blank.
oh, you're too innocent, said
with a sly smile--I really did it well,
Tom. Perhaps it hasn't been an
nounced yet, but everybody knows just
the same. | think it is splendid. You
two were made for each other
Eva turned white and then began to
flush. Poor Mr.. Herricll was red from
the first. He seemed trihe agitated."
Polly smiled reminiscently, then
| went on:
"He got up from his chair rather
hurriedly. 'But-but'-he gaSped.
" oh, the water. | cried, whirling
about. It's boiling Overt 1t wasn't,
of course, for | hadn't lit the lamp be-
meath the kettle yet But they were
too excited to notice that.
Excuse me-but-you know start
cd Mr.. Herrick.
Just my lucllr | broke in. lifting
the lid of the caddy and cooking in.
Not a leaf of tea in the house. I'll
have to run down and buy some. Ex-
euse me minute.
| Permit me- said Mr.. Herrick.
eagerly. III go down and get it,
What, trust man to buy tea for
me! | shook my head. Never! l al
ways want to see it myself
| Il pinned on my hat and then went
down to the fiat below and talked to
Mrs. Nelson for half an hour about her
| rheumatism. When | came back up
they were looking happy enough. so l
! knew all was well. | acted as though
| | didn't know anything had happened.
and finished making the tea"
yes, but the tea?' queried. "You
didn't bring any up"
Polly looked at me half-ptyingly.
Why, You goose, you. I'd filed the
caddy up only the day before"
Put didn't they notice."
Notice" she laughed. "They were
noticing nothing then but themselves.
Besides, | wouldn't have cared if they
had
Polly gazed at me. smiling medita-
lively. for over minute.
"Wnll?" said /.
"Well, that's all Only, when they
left. Eva ran back and told me what
had happened. OF course l was kind
enough to be surprised To. day she
came mp to show me the ring. There's
the story"
'Polly," sa once again. with con-
viction in my voice, you're a genius"
"Why, yes" she admitted, compla-
Gently.
"But. do you know" she went on.
speaking rather mournfully. it seemed
to me. 'I'm half sorry now | did it"
'Sorry-whyT | was unsuspicious.
"Because"-there was a teasing
smile in her eyes, but her voice was
very demure-"because l rather want
ed him myself. Leroy NJ. Scott, in
Chicago Journal