Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-05-27
CHAPTER xI.

CHAPTER XI.
 'S goin' into de Sunday school room to take off dat ere wid- ow's fnishin' touches" said - Mandy as she came down the steps.
 "All rightr' called Douglas. Take these with you. Perhaps they may help" He gathered up the garlands which Polly had left on the ground. His eyes were shining He looked younger than Mandy had ever seen him.
 Polly had turned her back at the sound of Mandy's voice and crossed to the elm tree. drying her tears of hap piness and trying to control her newly awakened emotions. Douglas felt in- tuitively that she needed this moment for recovery. so he piled the leaves and garlands high in Mandy's arms. then ran into the house with the light step of boy.
 ''I got the set-sit-settin' room all tidied up." said Mandy as she shot a sly glance at Polly.
 That's gocd." Folly answered. fac ing Mandy at last and dimpling and blushing guiltiiy.
 Mos de sociable folks will mos likely be bangin' roun' de parsonage to- night. stead ob stayin' in de Sunday school room. whar dey belongs. Las time dat ere Widow Willoughby done set roun' all ebenin' a-tellin' de par son as how folks could jes' eat off'n her kitchen floor. an ups an tells her as how folks could pick up good squar' meal off'n Mandy's floor too. Guess she'll be mighty careful what she says afore Mandy tonight" She chuckled as she disappeared down the wall; to the Sunday school room. Polly stood metionless where Mandy had left her. She hardly knew which way to turn. She was happy. yet afraid. She felt lil:e sinking upon her knees and begging God to be good to her to help her. She who had once been so independent, so self reliant. now felt the need of direction from above. She was no longer master of her own soul. Something had gone from her. something that would never. never come again While she hesi- tated Hasty came through the gate. looking anxlously over his shoulder. 'Well. Hasty?" she said, for 1t was apparent that Nasty had something important on his mind.
 Its de big one from de circus." he whispered excitedly.
 ''The big onei"
 "You know-de one what brung you" "You don't, mean Polly's question was answered by Jim himself who had followed Hasty quickly through the gate, Their arms were instantly about each other. Jim forgot Nasty and every one in the world except Polly. and neither of them noticed the mortified Miss Perkins and the Widow Willoughby who had been crossing the yard on their way from the Sunday school room with JrIin.
 "You're just as big as ever," said Polly when she could let go of Jim long enough to look at him. You hs,xn't changed bit"
 You've changed enough for both of us." He looked at the unfamiliar long skirts and the new way of doing her hair ''You're bigger. Poll. more grown. up like"
 "Oh. Jim" She glanced admiripgly at the new brown suit. the rather startling tic and the neat little posy in Jim's buttonhole.
 '"The fellows said I'd have to slick up bit if gas a-omin' to see you. so as not to make you ashamed of me. Do you like 'em?" he asked, looking down approvingly at his new brown clothes.
 every much" For the first time Jim noticed the unfamiliar manner of her speech. He began to feel self con-