Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-12-16

of exceptional good sense and discretion,
and old Bertshaw, in particular, strong
ly favored her as an associate and friend
of his daughter, who, he said. being a
motherless girl neoded the companion
ship of "a mature mind"-that was
Polly.
But, in spite of my feeling of amaze
ment, | said nothing, made no comment
on Pollys statement.
] must have looked my feelings. for
Polly said. "Why?" just as if l had
spoken. Then she went Oh, Il hope YOU
don't think me vulgar. / didn't go with
them myself-Oh. no! Now, in the first
place, YOU have to promise not to tell
a soul that | had anything to do with
the affair until | give you leave. / have
quite special reasons lor demanding that
You pronaise?'
"Oh, yes. I promise that. And what
in the second placer"
why" she said. "havcnt YOU the
sense to see that the next thing is to
bring about a reconciliation
It's all very sad / said That poor
old fellow is left all by himself in that
big house. | suppose he'll shut it up
ROW and live in flat or something of
the kind
He'll do no such thing" Polly said
with much determination.
oh" | remarked, rather wondering
how she could know what he would do.
AT least" she added looking up at
the ceiling, Il don't think he will. It's
his own fault He was so absurdlv OBJ
stinate."
Couldn't you have persuaded him."
Il? Nobody can persuade him. If |
mad tried. he would have lost his good
opinion of my wisdom"
When [ tried he all but kicked me
out of the house. Now his son-in- law
won't speak to me-
Yes, it is too bad Polly unused. and
he-Mr. Bertshaw-tninks you helped
them. | want you to go and talk to him.
There must be a reconciliation / mean
to have ~ reconciliation rot later than
Christmas"
If you will stop to consider" / said,
since he-AIr. Bertshaw-has put me
in his bad books for once taking sides
with Mr.. Strong, and is now, as you tell
me, convinced that | helped Mr. Strong
to run away with his daughter, we can
not expect him to suddenly become
anlenable to persuasion on my part, car
We!'
NO" she said, Il suppose not-and
if he ever finds out why | talked to him
so long at the reception at the Miller's
that afternoon, my GOOSE suppose
she was going to add, is cooked" but
she stopped short there and then went
on. The only other way would take
so long. Never mind. I'll have it all
done by Christmas OF perish in the at
tempt"
What is the only other way?' /
asked.
You'll see in good time"
Polly would not tell me what her
other plan was. and | was only anxious
to see a foolish and melancholy family
division merded not caring, for my part,
how the mending might be effected.
Only" | said, don't 90 and perish
in the attempt"
L WON'T she said, and smiled
One good thing came of that trip;
Polly wrote to Elise and made her take
me back into Strong's favor. / helped
them 10 find a really snug little fiat, and
when after that. deserted by my former
bachelor chum, | felt lonely in my own
rooms | often went and talked with
my new married chum ard bis new wife.
[ must say the obstinate refusal or
her father to be reconciled to them cas-
a gloom over the life of the young
couple. October faded into November
and November blew into December, and
still there seemed no sign of forgiveness.
Polly Harkins writes me that father
will be sure t. come round soon," the
bride told ne. ''She says she will an
swer for it, he Will give us his blessing
by Christmas day, but l dent see what
she has to go upon"
No more did then.
On the 23d day of December Strong
came TO my office, very much excited.
Look at this" he said, pulling a let
ter from his pocket.
Haven't time now" 1 said, taking it
from him.
"You must" he insisted
1t was another of Miss Harkins' let
ters, and it ran something like this:
You and your husband must positive
ly abandon all preparations for keeping
Christmas in your own fiat. / have been
as busy as a beaver. Do just as / tell
you. Pack up and come here. Get into
4 hack ard drive straight to your father
house SO rs to be there between ! and
2 p. m. Christmas day. Do exactly as |
til you. l know what l am talking
about. It Will be all right. Polly"
What do you think of it," said
Strong.
Il expect she knows what she's tall
ing about"
but what's happered? ?"
Don't know" | said. eff she had
married the old gentleman we would
have heard of it."
ooh, don't talk ronsense," said Strong.
Gle isn't such fool at his time of
life"
'Arc you going2" [ said, avoiding ar
gument.
eyes, we are" he said This letter
has done Elsie more good than anything
else could have done"
Il suppose So" I said. "But you for.
get that | was to have eaten my Christ
mas jinner with you. What are YOU
going TO do about it?
You'll have TO come along. suppose"
And that was lust what [ did Trust