The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-12-20

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slippers as she went and leaving the
lamp behind hef; but, try as she might,
| she could not open the library door,
and stood there pulling with a strength
born of desperation, while Fred said:
Burglars! Here's the light. They're
after the gifts on the tree. Come mr.
With his cane swinging like an In
dian club, Fred sprang into the library,
while Archie, with his umbrella, fol
lowed, and both advanced upon b
burglars. They could hear the rafting
of the doorknob, and Fred shouted:
"You may as well give up. You're
caughtr'
And then the library was also flooded
with light, which was reflected from q
thousand gilded ornaments on the tree,
and by the illumination Fred and
Archie saw a, miserable little figure In
yellow pajamas, huddled up like a cold
duckling, with one bare foot and with
its head down, in the corner Of the door
frame as though trying to hide.
From her baby days Polly had had a
queer habit of hopping from foot
to the other without moving from her
place when frightened or angry. Now
one slippered little foot n one pink
bare one kept up the familiar hopping
movement. Fred looked at the culprit
a moment and then sprang forward
and, selling 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 IL It isn't
PollyH'
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:
FIRED, I I'M 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-
struction Of two plaster ornaments.
Here, Miss Pol-Adams."
Saying this with a lordly air, he
wrapped the shrinking little figure In
Its benefcent folds, while her heartless
brother lay on the carpet in convul-
sions Of laughter. She sobbed out:
"I-I-forgot-something-and that IL
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 trickled down her hands.
GNHu A1a-a~ -
ment Of your sister very harsh-very
cruel"
"Well, 1 suppose she can't help be-
ing a little fool" continued Fred,
laughing still.
"Sir, another such remark oncern-
Ing this ang-ah, your sister-under
the circumstances will sever our
friendship. Pol-Miss Polly, I have
your present here. I was going to
give it to you tomorrow, but under the
present circumstances I shall ask If
you will accept it now and here, as
with it you will have a protector"
With a malevolent look at Fred,
Archie fumbled In all his pockets until
he found a 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 he had opened the box she
could see through her dimmed eyes
that he had a superb solitaire ring for
heroine to make the heart Of any girl
proud, and one In keeping with his
wealth. So she even smiled a 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 a look
Of 1neffable happiness, though Polly
did look something like a noble squaw.