The Springdale news., 1906-12-14

sound of a latchkey in the front door and then blast of wintry wind and two voices in the hall. They were those Of her oldest and most unbear- able brother Fred. and the other voice belonged to Archie Steadman. It was too much for Polly. It would be awful if Fred discovered her.
 She tried to step down from her in- secure perch. but the treacherous orna- mental chair tilted. and Polly cane down suddenly. striking her head against the table. She was too frightened to feel the hurt, for the noise was great enough 10 startle Fred into saying
 Whats that? Burglars, I'll bet Come on. Arch"
 Saying that Fred bounded forward and switched on the light and. seizing a heavy cane from the hatrack sprang into the parlor But Polly had manag- cd to get on her feet and scanper to the library door, dropping one of her slippers as she went and leaving the lamp behind her: but. try as she might, she could not open the library door, and stood there pulling with q strength born Of desperation. while Fred said:
 Burglars Here's the light They after the gifts on the tree. Come on.'
 With his cane swinging like an h. dian club. Fred sprang into the library. while Archie. with his umbrella fol- lowed. and both advanced upon the burglars They could hear the rattling of the doorknob, and Fred shouted:
 You may as well give up. You're caught"
 And then the library was also flooded with light, which was reflected from thousand gilded ornaments on the tree and by the illumination Fred and Archie saw miserable little figure in 1 yellow paiamas, huddled up like cold duckling, with one bare foot and with it's head down, in the corner of the door l frame as though trying to hide.
 From her baby days Polly had had a 1 queer habit of hopping from one foot l to the other without moving from her l place when frightened or angry Now one slippered little foot and one pink bare one kept up the familiar hopping l movement. Fred looked at the culprit a moment ard then sprang forward and. seiZing one shoulder and the long braid of hair. turned her around to the light. while the miserable girl covered her face with her hands. Fred laugh ed loud and long, saying:
 Well, I'll be jiggered if 1t Isn't Polye'
 Archie said nothing and was trying to pretend that he did not know any thing at all until he saw the tears streaming through the fingers. and then he said hotly:
 Fred. I am ashamed of you. You are not treating your sister right at all Here, Poll mean Miss Adams" con- tinued he, at the same time jerking the big maroon cover from the old fash toned square piano. to the instant de strnction of two plaster ornaments Here, Miss Pol-Adams'
 Saying this with lordly air. he wrapped the shrinking little figure in its beneficent folds, while her heartess brother lay on the carpet in convui. sions of laughter. She sobbed out:
 .I-I-forgot-som something g-and that is why
 "Ah. bosh. You just wanted to see if Archie had put a present on the tree for you"
 "oh, Fred; don't.' she cried, while tears triekled down her hands
 'Mr. Adams, I consider your treat. ment of your sister very harsh-very cruel
 Well I suppose she can't help he. ing little fool" continued Fred laughing still
 sir. another such remark concern. ing this ang-ah. your sister under the circumstances will sever our friendship. Pol-Miss Polly, have your present here I was going to give it to you tomorrow. hut under the present circumstances I shall ask if you will accept it now and here. as with it you will have protector
 With q malevoIent look at Fred. Archie fumbled in all his pockets until he found small box. Then he reach ed for one of Polly's wet little hands. Archie looked very imposing to Polly. and little by little her sobs ceased. and by the time ne had opened the box she could see through her dimmed eyes that he had a superb solitaire ring for her-one to make the heart of any girl proud. and one in keeping with his wealth So she even smiled little as Archie. with one last look of defiance at Fred, placed the sparkling ring on the proper finger and then folded her in his arms proudly and with look I did look something like noble squaw