The Irish standard., 1902-02-15
POLLY'S MARRIAGE.
Doing an Act Of Reparation Some
times Has Unexpected and Un-
pleasant Consequences, Her
Husband Found.
BY EDWARD F. SPENCE.
Observation-Disclosures.

THERE was pretty futter in So
L ciety when halfpenny morn
ing paper announced the engagement
of Miss Polly Blantlish to the very
young duke of Westminster. The
announcement was contradicted next
day by another halfpenny morning
paper, and confirmed the day after.
Then the papers, since nothing at
the moment was thrilling the public,
became full of gossip and rumor, in
terviews and portraits, and in due
course it was discovered that pretty
Polly, though only variety theater
girl, had strong artistic instincts and
longed to play Ophelia and Desdemo-
ma, and that her family was ancient
and honorable.
Now, the simple fact was that Pol.
ly, after serving several years in the
ranks of the chorus at the Variety
theater, coaNed a composer into wri-
ting a dance for her, and made a big
"hit'-not, indeed, that she danced
well, but because the music was de-
lightful and Polly was beautiful and
impudent. Soon everyone was whist
ling or humming the tune of "rhe
Moonbeam Dance" with which she
was identified.
The duke of Westminster, who had
just come of age, was a charming,
foolish fellow, with an income of
$250,000 after deduction of all the ap-
palling charges under the family set
Elements.
OF course, there was terrible rum
pus in the ducal family. The mother
of Charlie-"Charlie" was the duke
the haughtiest woman in the aris-
tocracy, tainted when she heard the
news, and, like another Volllmnia, ac-
tually went on her knees to the lad,
begging him vainly to break Off the
match. He was firm.
A detective was employed to study
Polly's history, and he made an un-
favorable report, which he called
"dossicr," full of ugly facts: but Polly
explained cverything-to the satisrac-
ton of the young duke.
Suddenly came an announcement
that the engagement was at an end,
and that the young duke had received
quas-diplomatic appointment in the
colonies which required him to leave
England at once. The world guessed
correctly that very august person
age had INTERVIEWED.
The negotiations for settlement
took place after the dukes departure
"a piece of ill-luck for Polly. At her
interview with the family solicitor,
she opened her pretty mouth very
wide, showing little teeth that glist-
ened, and asked for C 10O,O0O-a de-
mand which staggered the old gen.
tleman.
However, the man of law rose to
the occasion, showed Polly the "dos-
sier," and suggested that the defense
would be that the match was broken
off because the duke had discovered
that the young lady had suppressed
certain facts concerning her history
which had rendered her from every
point of view unsuitable, if not unde-
sirable, as n duchess.
Polly threw up her ring-burdened
hands-and the sponge-and agreed
to take $4,000, and she smiled rather
wryly when the old gentleman re.
marked that he never allowed his
clients to pay more. A little while
later Miss Polly left the variety
theater and appeared as Juliet, but
all efforts were insufficient to cause
her to be successful, and when Polly
read in one of the brutal afternoon
papers the ambiguous, malevolent as
sertion that she was probably as well
fitted to play the part of Juliet on
the stage as that of duchess in
real life she abandoned the game an6
dropped out of sight.
The young duke returned to town
very proud of the successful accom-
plishment of his mission and really
unaware of the fact that the whole
affair had been carried out behind hi.
back by telegram. His family wei
coined him warmly, since it believed
that his foolish passion was cured, ant
felt the more confident in this belle:
because of the credible, discreditabl.
rumors as to his conduct and miscon
duct in foreign climes.
One evening, when the duke was sit
ting at his club trying to make up hi
mind on the ever-disputable questio,
whether hors d'oeuvres really excit,
appetite or stay hunger, a letter wa
brought to him, and at the sight o
the writing he jumped, then gasped
"Great Scott!" he exclaimed, "Pol
ly's taken to drink" And, indeed
the handwriting was very shaky. 81
opened the letter and read:
Dear Charlie-Won't you come an
see me? Don't be afraid; I'm dying
at least, the doctor says so, and m,
I. illness has made me hideous, and
would like to see you once again.
shall be at home at four o'clock e
morrow. At least, I am always .
home now, and could see you then.
She did see him then-that is, q
four o'clock the next day-and whel
he saw her he was Mortified. TIL
pretty color had gone from he