The hatchet. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1883-19??, 1900-06-24
POtLY'} DO1NGS

Polly closed the door behind Miss
Mason and then sank into a chair
across the table from me.
"All men are workable" she began,
sententlously.
"a generality" said 1. IAN In
stancef"
II was Just going to give 1t. You no
tlced Miss Musons left handF
"Yes; couldn't help it. Who is heT
mfr. Ucrrick--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.
Eyes" Polly folded her arms on the
table and, leaning forward, gazed com
placently across at me. Its all my
doing, too"
"Indeedw / cried "Why, you're a
genius. Polly" Il know how to make
her smlle.l "HOw did you do it,"
"Well, knew she loved him and he
loved her But'--
"You knew but howY 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-l saw
that. They were up here day before
yesterday. While / was making ready
TO brew some tea q 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 l said, Il suppose II
won't be out of the. way for me to con.
graduate you twoY
What forT asked Eva. looking up.
She was surprised. Mr.. Herrlck just
looked blank.
oh, you're too innocent, l said
with a sly smlle-I really did it well,
Tom. Perhaps it hasn't been an
nounced yet, but everybody knows just
the same. | think ii is splendid! You
two were made for each other"
"You ought to have seen them, Tom-
flush Poor Mr.. ITerlicll was red from
the first. He seemed trihe agitated."
Polly smiled reminlscently, then
went on:
'IIe got up from his chair rather
hurriedly. 'But-but'-he gasped.
oh, the waterv l cried, whirling
about. It's boiling overp 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
ed Mr. Herrick.
Just my lucllp l broke in, lifting
the lid of the caddy and looking in
Not leaf of tea in the house. I'll
have to run down aud buy some. Elk
cuSe me n minute
4" Permit me- said Mr.. Herrlck
eagerly. I'll go down and get it.
d" What, trust a man to buy tea fol
mer | shook my head. Never! l al
ways want to see it myself
II 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
knew all was well. | acted as though
I didn't know anything had happened
and finished making the tea"
eyes. but the tear queI1ed. "You
didn't bring any up"
Polly looked at me half-pityingly.
"Why, you goose, you. I'd filled the
caddy up only the day before"
"Rut didn't they noticeW
Notice" she laughed. "They were
noticing nothing then but themselves
Besides, 1 wouldn't have cared If they
had"
Polly gazed at me, smiling medita
lively, for over minute.
"Well?" said l.
"Well, that's all. Only, when they
left Eva ran back and told Inc what
had happened. OF course | was kind
enough to be surprised. To-day she
came up to show me the ring. There's
the story"
"Polly," I said once again, with con
viction in my voice, you're n genius
"Why, yes" she admitted, compla'
Gently.
"But, do you know" she went on
speaking rather mournfully, 1t seemed
to me. 'I'm half sorry now | did it"
"Sorry-why?" / was unsuspicious
"Because"-there was teasing
smile in her eyes, but her voice was
very demure-"because l rather want
ed him myself"-Leroy NJ, Scott, in
Chicago Journal.
GRANT AS A STAKEHOLDER.