The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-23
PRETTY poLLY,s cARNArlon.

profession IS going TO the dogs. You ought
&c be a rich man; people say you have
ability enough, but / doubt it, You ought
to think more OF Polly and me and less
Of your cheap pansies and mignonetEes-
It's shame
Nancy" answered Archibald Eackett
II. his wife, Il don't put in three days q
week in the greenhouse. / don't put in
more than two hours day, and my pro-
fession isn't going TO the dogs. 1 make
a considerable living al il, and that IS all
l can do at the law, for I'm neither u
Charles O'Connor nor William Evarts.
Let me putter away at my flowers 1
love them. and it's a relaxation"
Mrs. Hachett's eyes snapped again, but
she said nothing further. She never had
been able in twenty-five years OF married
life to force an angry rejoinder from this
husband of hers. Today Mrs. Hackett
was little more upset than usual. Pol
ly. her pretty daughter, had been in
Vited to an extremely swell affair On
Lake Vista boulevard. and Mrs. Hackett
cid not think that Polly could wear
gown that she had worn twice before.
Polly Hackett had overheard some OF
this parental dialogue. and now she APP
peared on the scene. II can wear the
muslin again just as well as not. papa
she said. 1t looks dainty and fresh. and,
like Mrs. Cratchit, I'll be brave in rib
bons'"
But, Polly, the Bunkers are so terri
bly, fashionable, anu everybody there will
have a gown on that cost mint. I'm
afraid Mrs. Bunker and Emily VIII think
you look dowdy.'
Don't worry about the Bunkers, Ma
ry," said Archibald. .'ncr you, either.
Polly l suppose they are swell as things
go. but / remember Jim Bunker when he
owned a rendering establishment in the
little eastern ciLy in which L was born.
Well said the still unmollitied Mrs.
Hackett, Il wish it was a law case in
stead Of a carnation. You'll never get
anything out of your flowers but a bios
som or two that will wither in Gay.
And Mrs. Hackett moved amay with her
head III the air.
IL was the night of the Bunkers' recep-
ton. Polly Hackett. prettier than the
proverbial picture in her muslin and
brave in ribbons as she had said was
ready to go 10 the cab standing at the
door of her fathers little house on the
side street Archibald Hackett came into
the room and saw his daughter under the
soft light. ''Yos don't need furbelowS.
my child he said, kissing her. ''There'H
be no prettier nor sweeter girl there to-
night, despite the muslin. Wear this. my
Lear; you don't need diamonds" And
he gave Polly a beautiful petaled carna
ton, which showed a curious mingling OF
rich colors.
Polly fastened the glowing blossom in
her dark hair. while her mother said;
well, l suppose Archibald, that's thee
sole result of the years time you've been
wasting over carnations. If you had
ST ent the time in your Office Polly might
be wearing the diamonds that you say she
doesn't need. The other girls have theh,
and those that Emily Bunker will wear
tonight cost a fortune
Never mind the diamonds, mamma;
I'd rather have daddy's carnation." and
Polly Hackett kissed both parents lightly
and disappeared through the front door
and into the waiting cab.
The Bunkers' ball was over. and Polly
was sleeping soundly in her bed the next
The bell rang, and Mrs. Tat
tier was ushered into the parlor. She had
come to call on Mrs. Hackett. Mrs. Tat
tier had been hidden to the ball the night |
before, and now she had come as early |
A.; this TO talk it over with Mrs. Hackett. |
'Oh. Mrs. Hackett. ~ began. you |
don't know how lovely it was. and you |
don't know how perfectly sweet Polly |
vas. And what do You think know all |
The other girls are just by the ears to- |
Hay. You see. Mrs. Bunker really gave |
This ball because that swell young Far |
rell OF Baltimore is visiting John Bun
<er. Farrell is awfully handsome and |
awfully rich. He's one of the Farrells |
IF Farrellton. You know all about them. /
IF course. One of their ancestors signed |
he Constitution of the United States or |
likt thatK hfwylup upaod |
like that-I never do get his |
DRY straight-and young Farrell didn't |
rave eyes or ears for anyone the whole /
waning btlt for prettV POlly'
Mrs. Tattler fingered for some time and |
a ked on. but finally the door closed be-
lind her and Polly appeared just as her
ather came in to luncheon. We'll,
Polly" he said, did you have nice time
asst night?''
Splendid, daddy. Mr.. Bunker was aw-
ully nice to me. He told me he knew
dad when he asked him round to the
Mr.. Bunker said grandpa WAS
gentleman of the old school"
Mr.. Bunker was good to you, Polly |
ras he?' asked Mrs. Hackett. Was
here-was there anyone named Farrell
here
At this Polly blushed furiously. Yes
Eere was q Mr.. Farrell there from Balti-
rore," she said. He was very polite to
ne"
What did you do with your carnation,
Pretty Polly?" asked her father
Polly blushed more furiously than be-
ere. oh papa: that was one Of the
unniest parts of it. Mr.. Farrell was. I
ant help saying it, very attentive 10
re. He danced with me and brought me
1t was near the end Of the
all, wnen he looked suddenly az the car
alton in my hair and then asked me II I
&c might have il. thought that was
title forward from q person whom / had
ret only a few hours before, and / must
ave looked il too, for he said quickly.
meant nothing presumptuous. Miss
1ackett. but / want you 70 tel me whore
GU got that carnation and l want 70
end II 70 my father.
4 told ar Farrell that you grew II.
apa. and gave IL 10 me. but what Sc
rants TO send Il TO his father FOR I cau 2
imagine / don't suppose you'll care.
apa, but he asked me also II John Bun
er might bring him here TO call on me
ohm comes often. you know. and l said
es. and Polly blushcd again.
James Farrell I'D call with John Bunker
nd then he came alone and many times.
ut the day finally came when he had 10
cave FOR his home IN Baltimore
Why don't you % 70 your office. Arch
-ald?" asked Mrs Hsckett, sharply. one
corning. Here you are puttcriug around
m0ng your flower pots again" Mrs
iackett liked the word putteunE. No
lan with "a hobby ever made q cent out %
{. I believe youye spent - on that
Miserable carnatlon beG. and need mex
-r collar. You - wasting your time. IN
TfcTirE with our happiness and throw
Y away your money
oh. I don ksow. ny dear rerl,cd
r. Hackett- mildly Took AZ This and
9 handed his wife a Letter. Sae Opened
: Il ran Ike this.
slT. Archibald Hackett-My Dear ST.
= son. James Farrell. seat me Some time
20 CaTnatioR blossom Il = the fass