Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-10-06
Copyright, I10s. By Auta Po1reu

very firm line. There were plenty of
women in the world. let those who
felt inclined marry and be given in
marriage; as for her, she had mis-
sion in life and she meant to per
form it,
And she went about wearing such 4
set apart expression that parental Oh
jections gave way and she was allowed
one meager but soul inspiring year in
New York.
After that began the long battle
with publishers and advertising bu-
reaus. Encouragement she met at
first with the joy of resistance, bat
that sort of joy weakens with use,
and surely Polly's i'll luck was phe-
nomenal.
At last her cover for the Christmas
number of q magazine was accepted
and hope once more lit its lamp in hcr
breast But when villainous litho
grapher Transformed her designs 50
that nothing remained that she could
call her own, her stoicism gave way
utterly. and she folded her wings for
q season.
1t was just at this iuncture that the
Y. NJ. o. ID. c. made his appearance.
This title he acquired later on, when
she discovered that he was a Young
Man Of Diabolical Cunning.
Polly had met him at more than one
function, and he swelled the list of a
large and uninteresting bowling ac-
uuaintance from which individuals
were once in a long while selected to
fill up vacancies made by removals
and occasional misunderstanding.
Why should he call upon her? She
ran rapidly over her scant knowledge
concerning him as she came down to
meet him. Rather stiff and express
sionless. Rumored well off and on the
point of marriage to some stranger.
Nothing very decided, nothing particu-
larly attractive.
The Y. NJ. o. ID. G. rose before she
had time to smile any "glad to see you"
libs.
.'tiood morning, Miss Greenway. Per
haps | should apologize far troubling
you, but the truth Is | am in a dilem-
ma and have come to you for advice"
Polly settled herself and became all
attention. A man may be most unin-
terpsting but tie moment lie asks for
advice he becomes In the eyes of the
woman he Is consulting most discern
ing Individual and decidedly worth cul-
tiyating,
"You probably are not aware that l
have been building house on Lincoln
street"
She believed she had heard it men
toned in connection with the home-
coming OF the stranger bride.
at is completed" he continued, "and
Is now ready for the decorators. Just
here is where / want your advice.
There are lots of professional dee
orators, but none Of my friends houses
satisfies me- Sons of them have been
done by well known decorators. /
choose TO think they show a lack of in
dividuality. Now ! beg OF you 70 un-
uertake the management Of the whole
scheme of decoration and furnishing.
Oh, pray don't veto It," as Polly's eye
brows went up to her pompadour, "till
you have heard me out ! want each
room ~ my house 10 be part OF one
scheme and the keynote of -the whole
thing to be simplicity. If you will un-
dertake it you shall have all the help
you wish-anythlng, evcrything you
need 20 carry it out. II is well planned
aud well flushed ! don't want IL to
be ostentatiogs or handsome Or have
any Of those unholstery things, but TO
be quiet, restful, artistic-a home in ey-
cry sense Of the word"
But | don't believe I'm eqmpetent,"
aaid Polly, 20 whom the Idea began to
appeal strongly-"in fact, am sure I'm
not"
Does that mean that you wouldn't
care to undertake IT."
rOh, dear, no. think / should like
: it above all things. / wish had taken
up that sort Of thing at the art school"
'Then let us go at once and look at
the house, and you can form your
plans"
IN i've minutes they were on car
Polly was carried off her feet. The
whole undertaking grew momentarily
more attractive, and, as She WAS an in
veterate castle builder, by the time tho
car stopped al Lincoln street she had
become Il successful middle aged dec
orator.
She found the house perfect gem iIi
its way, beautifully laid out and VITA
all sorts Of possibilities Ia the way Of
decoration As she went from room to
room her delight and enthusiasm were
good to see.
SO the work was undertaken, and Vp-
on the whole everything went we'll
She did not often see the Y. NJ. o. ID
c., but his appreciation and suggcS-
tlons were always helpful, and a tclc-
phone message brought him immcdi-
atcly wheu he was needed TO smooth
out difficulties with stubborn or inefii-
Client 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
workmeu gone aud the owner out OF
tOwl, she stole back for last look be-
fore the key should have left her pos
session. She sat down on n high
backed settle commanding a vista Of
three rooms. The suu threw stains and
gpiashes OF color on the inlaid floor.
and outside a high wind whlstlcl
mournfuily, the sort OF wind that sings
to sensitive ears of sorrow and doDoia-
tlon,
~ don't care how niauy houses /
should decorate. there could never be
another one Just like this, and his wife
will bring whole lot Of we ld.ng pres
ents and stun and just ruin every
thing. wish | had never gecn the
place. | wlsh | had never been born"
she ended miserably. Then SIC wiped
her eyes angrily. mo wonder haven't
been a success" she thought "I am q
weak minded S;npis;on anyway. AMI
no doubt tlat fact i3 patent to cgory
one but myself"
But Notwithstanding her scon of
hcrsclf the tears continued g. come
from some incxhapstble source.
Wei, this Is success anyway" she