The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-10-27
DEC;A,DEN'lIlCIiiElI;;, 9. 7
rAY RIM s@tFaa
By AUTA POWELL
Copyright, 1904, by Auta PoaDeu

to the same conclusion.
Nevertheless, when she announced
her intention of studying art, her ia
Their demurred 1t was one thing to
have talent, but quite a different mat
ter to depart from the beaten track
and Polly's family had other views
for her
"Let her marry and settle down."
said her father.
But Polly's lips came together in a
very firm line There were plenty of
women in the world. Let these 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 a
set apart expression that parental o.
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-
4SOltS. OASNNui SoC-11CtlI SAAC I1CL at
first with the joy of resistance, but
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 a magazine was accepted
and hope once more lit its lamp in her
breast But when a villainous litho-
grapher transformed her designs so
that nothing remained that she could
call her own, her stoicism gave way
utterly, and she folded her wings for
a season.
1t was just at this junctUre that the
Y. NJ o. D. c.. made his appearance.
This title he acquired later on, when
she discovered that lie 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 embarrassing bowing ac-
Quaintance from which individuals
were once in long while selected to
fill up vacancies made by removals
d1lu OCCdSlOudl
Why should he call upon her? She
ran rapidly over her sodnt knowledge
concerning him as she came down to
meet him. Rather stiff and express
sionless. Rumored we'll off and on the
point Of marriage to some stranger.
Nothing very decided, nothing particu-
larly attractive.
The Y. M. o. D. G. rose before she
had time to smile any "glad to see your
fibs
''Good morning, Miss Greenway. Per
haps should apo ogiZe for troubling
you, but the truth is l am in dilem-
ma and have come to you for advice"
Polly settled herself and became all
attention A man may be most unin-
teresting,, but the moment he asks for
advice he becomes in the eyes of the
woman he is consulting a most discern
Ing individual and decidedly worth Gull
tivating.
'You probably are not aware that
have been building a house on Lincoln
street"
She believed she had heard it men
toned in connection with the home
coming of the stranger bride.
ct is completed he continued, land
is now ready for the decorators. Just
here is where l want your advice.
There are lots of professional dec
orators, but none Of my friends houses
satisfies me. Some Of them have been
done by we'll known decorators:
choose to think they show a lack Of in
dividuality. Now, beg of you to IN
dertake the management of the whole
scheme of decoration and furnishing.
Oh pray don't veto it." as Poily's eye
broWs went up to her pompadour, "till
you have heard me out. l want each
room in my house to be part Of one
scheme and the keynote of the whole
thing to be simplicity. If you will IN
dertake it you shall have all the help
you wish-anything, everything you
need to carry it out. 1t is we'll planned
and we'll finished. 1 Cont want it to
be ostentatious or handsome or have
any Of those upholstery things, but to
be quiet, restful, artistic-a home in ey
cry sense of the word"
But l don't believe I'm competent"
said Polly, to 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?"
ooh, dear, no! think I should like
1t above all things wish I 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 five minutes they were on a car.
Polly was carried OF her feet. The
whole undertaking grew momentarily
more attractive, and, as she was an in
yeterate castle builder, by the time the
car stopped at Lincoln street she had
become a successful middle aged dec
orator.
She found the house perfect gem in
its way, beautifully laid out and with
all sorts of possibilities in the way of
decoration. AS she went from room to
room her delight and enthusiasm were