The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-08
THE ADVERTISERS !
 DAILY SHORT STORY

1 nenpened both Polly and Barbara wer sitttng on the verania when the barg, 9r0ve up. As usual, Jack jumped ou l nrst He merely bowed. and made | Few arrivals. to permit of protracted civ. fities hntfi he had registered. When he came out again Polly greeted him sweetly. % swsetfy in fact, that his 1 conscience sr,ote nifn and he ionged t. duced him to Barbara. There was a Elcem in Miss winston's eyes, but sh. bowed quite formally. Ii Was only toc evident that HaYard was about to go the way of at least half the youths in the notei All he said was addressed to Bar bara. Miss Winston was at her best Polly sulked. She stood 1t Cor half an hour, then she ross.
 VI II must go, she said. "Oh. don't" pro- She met Hazard in the hall as she was old look in his eyes and You may have ave the first dance if you're very good" she later. for Hazard replied, albeit with honest regret In his tone, I'm awfully sorry, but I have 1t with Miss winston.s
 on, said Polly. sweeping away with her little head hell high. That evening she was her most wicked little self. She fiirted ourageously. and more than one youths hopss were raised high. Tn reply to Hazards plea for dance she insist. ed that her order was filled.
 The next day affairs were in the same novel state. Hazard scarcely went near Polly. who was so apparently enjoying herself with other men that more than one person was convinced that she wasn't | enjoying herself at all.
 until she heard the barge drive away. Then she came down, with a pathetic little look in her eyea which fiatly con- tradicted the radiant smile on her lips.
 She flushed crimson. You here?" she gasped,
 He took an mpulsive step toward her 1T decided to stay oyer because. - m waiting, Mir. Hazard" and Barbara with her golf sticks appeared. Jack stopped, gu,ltily, and excused himself, leaving Polly to wonder what that because" could be. She watched the two get into the cart and drive away. Somebody said, What perfect couple and poor little Polly ned to her room in tears.
 Polly was just in the midst of good. hard cry, when her door opened softly, and two cool hands lifted her ttimbled sead Ss1 arS wSs Esrsssaa s sSss 'aS That rS woman proceeded to sob more violently than ever, Barbara put her strong arms aroud her silently, and her eyes were more tender than many people would believe Barbara Winston's eyes would ever he.
 Finally the sobs ceased. 'f suppose you had d lovely game with Mir Haxird," returned tiu,ia little voice, with stu died attempt at nonchalance. Very nice. indeed" ani Barbara smiled.
 Then von like him very much, don't Iou?" with ill-suopressed anxiety. Why, pretty well. why?'
 Polly broke down completely. "Then how can you be so cruei?" she stornicd her voice chokod with tears. He cared Tor me before you came and then. he met you. ani you are so big and hcau- tiful and clever. of course. he would care more for you. an1--oh. dear. I wish
 Barbara lifted the girls face. Polly look at me" she commanded quietly. and tho steady brown eyes gazed 'searchingly into the tcar-filled blue opes. Polly, do steady gaze and said as simply and hon. estly as a child, 'Yes, Barbara, and then hid her face again in the pillows.
 Barbara rose. Don't move. dear. she said, chceriy. it will be all right" and kissing her she left her.
 To Hazard. waiting below she confided the result of her visit. He would scarce lv believe her. and waited with no pa tifncc at all until Polly came down to dinner. She was all in white. very the old one, but quite as lovabe.
 As she passed him he asked. May have this evening" and she assented with charming ney shynass.
  ard. hut at last he was walking along the shore with Polly. He turned toward her, their eyes met
 But she protested presently, you oughtn't to; really you oughtnt. every one says you're in love with Barbara
 Hazard laughed exultantly.
 Then everybody is wrong. he said.
 Barbaras queen. but I wouldn't he falling in love with my own cousin you know. besides she's engaged"
 Polly gasDed, Then Hazard assumed d most superior air. Really. Polly. Vou f'irted SO atrocously with that fellow Ainsworth. that by rights I should give you mp. but l decided to punish you in- stead. and so Barbara agreed to come down to make vou jealous" An angry gleam came into Polly's eyes. but laugh chased it away as she said. "I really ought to hate you, Jack but cant ex- actly, for Billy Ainsworth." and she made him mocking curtesy. lis my half brother
 Y,' by I.ucius Burton.