Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-01-31

of her favorite cousin, but now the
receipt of this delightful bit OF paper
had placed this happiness within her
reach.
The prospect of possessing a frock
such as, in the ordinary course of
events, could have been purchased for
rs dollars would in any case have
been an undreamed of delight to Pol
ly, but, as it happened, that amount Of
money at this time represented to her
what any girl would have agreed was
the chance of lifetime"
Polly's chum, Lillian Stevens, the
daughter Of very rich man, had gone
into mourning for great-aunt, AID as
the idea of wearing gowns ever SO lit
tie out of date was not to be thought
of she had offered Polly, as a gift a
perfect dream of party frock fresh
from Paris. But Doctor Adams was
unwilling to allow his daughter to &C.
cept so expensive present; where
upon Lillian, whose kind heart yearn-
ed over her pretty friend, had told
Polly she would sell it to her for $26.
| But this sum, so insignificant to the
spoiled child of luxury, was as far
beyond Polly's purse, as would have
been 500, the original price of the
| gown.
Lillian had insisted that Polly
should try on the fascinating dress
and Polly had not been able to resist
the temptation. The frock had fitted
perfectly and the fluffy creation OF
white chiffon and lace with the touch
of pale green in ribbons and embroid-
cries, was very becoming to her clear
skin, bronze hair and gray eyes.
This morning, for brief space, she
had seen herself flying to Lillian with
the price of that love of a frock" in
her hand, but almost before she had
time to realize her good fortune, the
boys had come in with their great
news.
It would be dreadful to disappoint
Marion by not going to her wedding
and though she told me l could use
the check for whatever l chose If /
didn't need frock, can't wear my
old ones so may well take advantage
Of this wonderful chance that Lillian
offers me-" argued Polly. But con
science spoke up briskly:
Most assuredly Marion must not
be disappointed, but the boys out
ing will cost only $40 and with the
remaining five you can buy IL yards
of cheap organdie with ribbons for
trimming, and as you've made your
own clothes ever since you were IA,
and there will be plenty of time to
tuck and ruffle it to your hearts con-
tent. you can appear at Marion's we'd
ding in a frock quite good enough
for girl in your circumstances"
But l did so want to look Stun
ming for once in my life," walled re-
bellious Polly.
Then the faces of her brothers
came before her. What good boys
they were and how eager they were
to help her in their dear, laundering
way. Even big Sam did not consider
it beneath his dignity to wash dishes
and clean windows, while little Jacks
willing feet had saved her tired ones
many a step. And the boys were
growing up SO fast that it would not
be long before they would be out IN
the world meeting disappointments
and hardships from which her love
would have no power to shield them.
How would it be with her then If
she must look back and feel that she
had refused to make sacrifice of her
own foolish pride to their pleasure
and profit while they were still with
her in the old home?
1t was very pale and subdued girl
who rose from her bed bathed her
eyes and, walking sedately down the
stairs, knocked at the door at her
fathers office. 1t must be confessed
that, far from being uplifted by the
contemplated sacrifice, poor Polly was
feeling distinctly cross; but when, in
response to her fathers summons,
she entered the great, bare room, she
began to feel better for, shabby as
were its. furnishings, the room was
pervaded by the CHEEKY personality
of born healer of men.
When Polly had told her father
the whole story, he turned to his
ledger, saying tenderly:
cts pretty hard on you, isn't it.
little girl? Perhaps 1 can manage
to raise the money in someway. I'd
like to see my Polly in that stun.
ming frock, but l know her too well
to imagine that she would enjoy it II
the boys must stay at home
There was look on her fathers
tired, patient face as he began to
examine the most promising of the
accounts, that went straight to Polly's
heart, and she threw her arms about
him, pressing her cheek to his thick
gray hair.
Mono. Daddy" she cried, "don't
bother with those horrid - you
oughtn't to spare the money, and the
organdie will do very well for me-"
Doctor Adams was not demonstra-
tive man, but there was something in
the look and kiss he gave his daugh-
ter that left a warm feeling in her
heart for days. Polly left the check
with him with strict injunctions to
secrecy, for the boys were unselfsh
little fellows whose pleasure would
have been spoiled had they learned of
her sacrifice.
The next few weeks were busy
ones. The boys were mended, patched
and generally made ready for the ex-
petition. Then the white organdie
was tucked and ruffied by Polly's
deft fingers, and when it had been
trimmed with some pretty lace contri-
buted by her good stepmother, and a
soft sash of liberty silk was added,
she regarded her handiwork with
| justifiable pride. Even at the we'd
ding, among all the exquisite crea-
tions from New York and Paris the
little frock, beautified by the memory
of her fathers look and kiss, did not
seem to Polly SO very plain.
Her uDcle and amt inconsoIah le