The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-04-07
CHAPTER H..
Continued.

the right side Of his purple nose.
"Polly," be shouted, here's Mr.. Dex-
Ger wants 10 know how you are"
"Oh, I'm all right" said Polly, max
ing her appearance at the door, and
looking down upon the two men.
"And how DO yer find yourself, Mr..
Dexter
In bis confusion Thomas Dexter re-
Piled:
I'm as well as can be expected,
Polly"
An answer which sent her into fits Of
laughter.
Now this laughter was sweet music
in Thomas Dexter's ears, and Polly
Cleayer a vision Of loyeliness in his
eyes.
Her hair was hanging loose, her
boots were down at heel, and she was
in a general state OF untdiness, but
Venus herself in negligee could not
have more completely enthralled him.
Polly continued 10 laugh, holding her
Bides, and presently tottered down a
step or two, and cried:
"Ketch me, Mr.. Dexter, or / shall
fall"
He nothing loath, caught her to his
heart, which went thousand a min
ute.
Polly had not laid in his arms ne
long as she could count three before
she knew what was the matter with
him. These inspirations Of knowledge
are woman's peculiar gift.
II thought" she simpered, looking up
into'ThOmas Dexter's face, without at
tempting 10 release herself from his
embrace, that yer might be going to
ask me to go to church with yer"
That's just what | should like 10 ask
yer, Polly" said Thomas Dexter.
well, then" exclaimed Mr.. Cleavcr,
while Polly laughed immoderately,
''arsk her, ana Wen get the wedding
dress made-if you give Us the money
for IT,"
Something like matchmaking, this.
Striking the nail on the head; no sbilly-
shallying.
Sudden as IL was, IL accorded with
Thomas Dextcr's bumOr.
Il don't mind doing that" he re-
sponded, holding Polly tight. what
do you say, Polly"
what do you say, Mr.. Dexter|
nsked Polly, fencing.
She was inclined to look upon the
whole affair as a joke, though the pros
pect Of the present of the wedding
dress had caught her fancy.
II say, will yer have me, Polly"
81 don't mind" answered Polly, gaZ-
Eng in wonder at her ardent lover, add
ing quickly, IF you're not joking with
me-"
- He'd better not" said Mr.. Cleaver,
splitting in the palm of his right hand
and rubbing that and the palm of his
left together-ar action which every
Briton understands. If he makes n
fool of my Polly III have it out Of
him.
You shut Up, father" exclaimed
Polly. "Tm old enough to take care
Of myself"
"Whatw cried Thomas Dexter, point
eng TO Polly, who had released herself
and was now standing a little apart
from him Make fool of a gal like
that What do you take me for?"
Wait a Bit said Polly; I'm con
xideriDg.'
There was the new dress; there was
the excitement of wedding; there was
abe novelty of getting married.
Although she had had auy number OF
lovers, not one had eIer asked her TO
marry him.
"Do you mean" inquired She plant
ing her two fists i'm her sides, without
any CANNON, that yer want ter marry
meT
That's the way to put IT," said Mr.
Cleaver, with approving mods.
Its exactly what | do mcan," said
Thomas Dexter in an imploring tone,
as though scarcely daring to hope that
such bliss could fall TO his share. III
you say yes / shall be the happicst
man in Clare Market"
I'D like TO see the man as'd dispute
it," said Mr.. Cleaver. Whoever gets
my Polly gets a treasure"
You needn't shove your spoke in,
father. Mr. Dexter knows all about
me; he wasn't born yesterday"
That's true, Polly said Thomas
Dexter. somewhat ruefully. I'm a
good bit older than YOU
"Oh, that don't make no difference"
said Polly. scratching her head. Yer
won't cry of, will yer? Youn give me
a dressT'
IN give yer two" Said Thomas Dex-
Ter, eagerly.
IN take EN-; amt proud. And as
you're serious as all that about il III
have yer. Give US kiss
He gave her a dozen, and while this
was going on Mr.. Cleaver sat on the
stairs and shed tears. which he con
sidered to be the regulation duty OF
father, especially Of the father Of such
O girl as Polly
There, that's enough" said Polly.
pushing Thomas Dexter away. You're
rumpled me all over. You'd best make
yourself scarce. you and father. while
tidy myself n bit"
"Son-ln-iaw," said Mr.. Cleaver. dab
bing bis eyes with n colored handEer-
chief. you've got the price of a pint
about yer. The proper thing 10 DO is
60 wet the match"
I've no objection, said infatuated
Thomas Dexter.
"Come along. then" said Mr. Cleaver.
selling Thomas Dexter and hurrying