The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
TIE EVENING STORY
When Polly Ran AWAY,
(By Perry Moore.l

Ebullition Of piQue!' Polly puck
e 81 edo her r pretty face into scowl and
per- he meant! As if I hadn't reason
and more! And he'll come tonight as
usual will he, in spite of my note,
Whlch ne is sure says much more
Then she glanced at an open letter
on the dresser. "'Sure, are you, Mr.
High -and-mighty? Well, guess you'll
y Se@a he1tgggs guess when you arrive with
hand out and find no little sinner
anx1ously waiting for it you'll begin to
think that my note didn't say an atom
more than meant"
She giggled little, dashed her
handkerchief across her eyes, adjust
ed her veil and slipped out quietly.
Very quietly, for Polly was running
away, and not a soul of them should
know her whereabouts until she had
indited and. dispatched an epistle to
Mr.. Fred Hanlon, giving him to I'M
derstand thoroughly that their en-
gagement was forever at an end.
This epistle should be very dignified
and emphatic, leaving no possibility Of
it's being attributed to mere pique. She
would have delighted in imparting her
irrevocable decision to Fred PERSONAL
ly, only-well, Fred had such a way
and he would just pick her up and kiss
her and laugh at her and maybe say,
nonsense, little grit" and make her
effort ridiculous.
OF course. she would have to laugh,
even if she were angry, and when she
laughed once it would be all up with
take Fred's petting and chocolate
creams, instead of carrying out her
serious intention. The dear boy al
ways remembered her taste for choco-
late creamS-but she must remember
he wasn't a dear boy any more.
He was an autocrat who had as
sumed authority over her beyond his
right, had dictated as to her conduct
Iii -aIf so 1fcoo hi tau&
she was determined to put UP with it
no longer.
She had been merely amusing herself
with that new Spanish-looking young
man who had a delightful accent and a
gratifying admiration for Miss Polly. It
was great fun to engross him entirely
and render him oblivious to the charms
of the other girls.
She had meant nothing more at ALL
but now, since it was to be all off with
Fred-Mr. Roderique was very wealthy
perhaps she would eventually consent
to reign in the ancestral halls he had
described so glowingly.
Polly was swiftly pursuing her way,
mindful that there was need of haste IL
she would reach her destination before
it was "scary" dark, when a couple of
the girls appeared around corner and
hailed her.
She shook her head and passed on,
a little vexed, for she was obliged to
make a long detour to avoid their COM
pany and her own inclination to tell
things.
Nobody should know Of the rupture
with Fred until she could exhibit the
Roderique diamonds in her engagement
ring Then If Elsie Wilson, who adj
mired Fred openly, could capture him.
let her! Anybody was welcome to FREQ.
Nevertheless, she felt a twinge of Jeal-
ousy and sneered at herself for 1t.
wait. Polly, Wait!' She turned to
see three of the girls. this time hurry
ing toward her with news" On their
her course again, obviously avoiding
them.
such a time as Pm having running
awayp' she unused whimsically. Hero
ines usually have adventures and diff
culties in escaping, but they run away
at night-Pd be scared to death! Then
too, Fred'lI be sure to come early, whis-
Ting, Pretty Polly oliver and
with a shrek Annabel Hanlon fell upon
ooh, Polly, isn't it awful
st should think so by your looks .
Polly smiled. though she heartily disliked
You've been SO thick with him thought
you'd feel sort of dfsgraced-or mortified
anyway. I'm thankful I was never init
mate with him-gambler, blackleg'
@What are you talking about. Anna
s'Then you haven't heard-and they
trailed him here arrested MN IN ana s1 t4ek
to such lengths within Annabel laughed
"A And With whom any of you girls would
have been glad to go greater lengths II
he had looked at you!" Polly flashed ana
She was intensely shocked and-and Fred
had been right in his estimate of the fell
IoW-he would be justified in his position
now: he would be more autocratic than
everi She must assert herself and break
the engagement even If she afterward Tor
gave him.
AS she finally boarded the car she re-
called. with throb Of dismay. the The long
in the gathering dusk from the troHey
me The 20 car re was filied With Suburban labor
ers and she did not notice square JaWed
young man. Tho hh bdr peTsii ne Himself DJf
on behind, where he presently appeared
to be arranging something with rough
but honest-loolxing man, who nodded and
winked knowingly as he pocketed gen..
erous bill.
out of sight, the other crowded inside and and
seated himself close to Miss Polly she
glanced at him "a, anxl ne gon aS the ne too
Woiii9 leave. But when she alighted he
sprang off and s,ouched away az a.r,anire
road half determined to go back to the
car, but discarded the idea with toss
r1 hun BACK aS Polly Paget! Wei, I guess not
miss. can sprint Ike deer. , and In ten t.
She caught up her skirts and SKINNED
away. stopping suddenly with a frighten-
ed soueai: the rough man had stepped
into the road before her with an offer Of
ms sN soni no. Thank you. I'm not-at.all
a-fraid!" cried Polly with chattering
teeth Even at that fearsome moment Is
occurred to her that this was to be ex-
pecfed. Runaway heroines always have
adventures But I never meant to be
in the dark-the girls hindered me SO,
she uioaned fIlWardly.
ssLet me pass, sirP' she demanded, striv-
ing to be naughty, but Quavering Woe
fully. .
Il shall walk with you, miss" He put
a hand on her arm and Polly screamed
wildly