Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-12-05
enough to startle Fred into saying:

enough TO Startle FREQ INTO saying:
"What's that? Burglars, I'll bet.
Come on, Arch
Saying that, Fred bounded forward
and switched on the light and, selling
q heavy cane from the hatrack, sprang
into the parlor. But Polly had manag-
ed to get on her feet and scamper 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 strength
born Of desperat ton, while Fred said:
Burglars! Here's the light. They're
after the gifts IN the tree. Come onv'
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 the
burglars. They could hear the rafting
of the doorknob, and Fred shouted:
"You may as we'll give up. You're
caught?'
And then the library was also flooded
with light, which was reflected from u
thousand gilded ornaments on the tree,
and by the illumination Fred and
Archie saw miserable little figure III
yellow pajamas, huddled up like a cold
duckling, with one bare foot and with
it's head down, in the corner Of the door
frame as though trying to hide y,
From her baby days Polly had had a
,, queer habit of hopping from one foot
~ NIT
place when frightened or angry. Now
one slippered little foot and one pink
bare one kept up the familiar hopping
movement. Fred looked at the culprit
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 If it isn't
Pollyv'
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 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-
struction Of two plaster ornaments.
Here, Miss Pol-Adams."
Saying this with lordly air, he
wrapped the shrinking little figure in
Its benefcent folds, while her heartless
brother lay on the carpet in convul-
stons of laughter. She sobbed out:
"1-I-forgot-som that Is
why''- H.: -
Alb, bosh! You just wanted to see
It Archie had put present on the tree
for you" -.
"Oh, Fred; don't!'' she cried, while
tears trlckled down her hands.
| "Mr. Adams, consider your treat
ment Of your sister very harsh-very
cruel" -. r
| ''Wel1, L suppose she can't help be-
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-ltss Polly, i have
your present here. II was going to
give It to you tomorrow, but under the
present circumstances / shall ask If
you win accept 1t now: and here, as
with It you will have q protector:
With nalevolent 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 imp losing to IF oily,
and little by, little her sobs ceased, and
by the time he had opened the box she
scould see through her dimmed eyes
| that he had superb solitaire ring for
her one to- make the heart. Of any girl
proud, and one IL keeping with his
So she even smiled 8 little aa
Archie, with one last i look sof; defiance
lat Fred placed the sparkling ring %
the proper finger and then folded her
sin. his arms! proud " and th.sa look
Iof sainenable ppiness, though Polly
Ibid look some htng like q noble squaw,
Id See the ne GODS 81 Elfstrnm s
s1Go's Pharmacy q