The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-09-23

out dificulties with stubborn or ineffi-
cient workmen.
1t Is hard to say just when Polly be-
gan to hate the bride elect, but the
feeling reached its climax on that day
/ when, everything being completed, the
workmen gone and the owner out of
town, she stole back for last look be-
fore the key should have left her Dos
session. She sat down on a high
backed settle commanding a vista of
three rooms. The sun threY stains and
splashes Of color on the Milaid floor,
and outside a high wind whistled
mournfully, the sort of wind that sings
to sensitive ears Of sorrow and desola-
ton.
II don't care how many houses I
should decorate, there could never be
another one just like this, and his wife
VIII bring whole lot of wedding pres
ents and stun and just ruin every
thing. / wish 1 had never seen the
place. wish 1 had never been born"
she ended miserably. Then she wiped
her eyes angrily.' mo wonder haven't
been a success" she thought. "I am q
weak minded simpleton anyway, and
no doubt that fact is patent to every
one but myself"
But Notwithstanding her scorn of
herself the tears continued to come
from some inexhaustible source.
"Well, this is success anyway" she
unused trife more cheerfully, "and
the color scheme and the plan are my
own, and 1t cannot possibly turn into
wretched, glaring pinks and blues or
any old washed out things"
Then all at once the Y. NJ. O. ID. G.
stood before her Mortified eyes, and she
felt like thief as she stood up weakly
and rendered him the key.
No; sit down. Let's talk about it." he
said. "Great success, isn't it? cannot
natter myself too much for my courage
and wisdom In going to YOU"
he sat down beside her on the settle.
looking SO thoroughly contented and
prosperous that she hated him from
the bottom Of her heart, or thought she
did, which is just the same thing tiu
we find out the difference.
everything is finished When shall
we move inT' he said. "It needs n
woman In trailing robes handling deli
cate china and moving lightly from
room to room to give the finishing
touch and turn it into home"
ut will need servants in the Kitchen
and provisions in the pantry md nlenty
or management" said Polly grimly,
SICK or the picture he drew and de-
termined to cut short his rhapsody.
Well," he said quizzically, "whcn
snail we move in and begin the man.
agement"
Il should think your fiancee would
nave some choice in the matter"
"Oh, don't know" said he uncon-
cernedly. II think. perhaps, she will be
satisfied"
You take good deal for granted"
said Polly. "You must think a wife Ia
perfect nonentity." r
You will be a good deal together I
nope" he went on, ignoring her re.
marks. II like the way you manage
things"
"Do you, indeed?" thought Polly. Her
lips quivered, and she made a mental
resolution never again to cross the
threshold.
There was long silence while Polly
looked at the rooms, and the Y. M. o.
~. -. looked at her. Finally Polly
stood up, but he took her hand and
drew her down again.
when are we going to be married,
PollyT he said.
"Who" gasped Polly. :.
We-you and Polly"
"We-and your fiancee-what do you
mean" she cried in distress.
There isn't any one but you, Polly.
l built the house Just to get you to
decorate 1T; then people had to provide
q reason, and it really wasn't worth
wbi1S contradicting them. I'm dread
ful sinner, Pony, but couldn't inter
est you in any other way. Do forgive
me and admit that you love the house
--and me-"
But Polly, wholly unprepared and too
paralyzed for speech, sat back cold and
pale. She shivered slightly.
A fire of driftwood had been laid in
the quaint corner fireplace.
Come, Polly" he said, taking her
hand again; 1--WE will light the fire and
talk 1t over"
And they did.