Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-11

In some way rumor got about the camp that POLY
had been found swimming alone. half mile from shore
and had been forciby brought back The younger Nor
ris girl repeated it to the Lizard he came from
furtive half hour by the cook-heuse stove. The news
She's rip-snorter,' he admitted humbly and
treated into his tent, where he spent thoughtful m
terval with pencil and paper. The paper was IN his
pocket and his air manuly resoute when he came
out.
of little point of pnes reading She closed her book
and smiled welcome for the pers of the day were over
Hello! You read Trolopea" He seemed gratifed
by the discovery. Shouldn't We thought he was hot
stuff enough for you"
disclosing their after the eager fashion of YOUTH
marvelng the way these conceded She was sur
prsed at the amount he had read; the young men of
her acquaintance looked books chiefly as last re-
"Oh we'll, I'm lazy beggar" he said, then checked
himself abruptly and took the written paper from his
pocket. Now look here" he began '''f you're only
gon to stay week, we've got to make the most OF it
give you the time of your life"
She smiled apprehensvely oh, but-
Been making out progTamrme mn Guess it keep you
covered her like a benedicton She was too intent on
"wednesday canoe picnic to Loon Island" she read
to Silver Lodge-but don't ride
"Oh don't have to, in the usual sense All up preci-
pces and down gorgesyou just stick on and the horse
does it," the reassurng explanation
go Saturday. field day Canoe races, swimming races
AND fancy dgng S fNs !St ssged water carnival
Didn't know how you felt about Sunday but II you
aren't strict
oh, ami l mean l never do anythlng-athleuc,
you know, on that day
arrange the picnic
Polly sat in hudded misery after he had gone all her
evening peace shattered. No sport, confronting the
pleasures of the week to come. She could not feign
Illness for there doctor in camp and she could
not hope to deceive him. She could not have recall
from home, for Cousin Caroline would insist details
She was Disconnected to find Theodore lurking near
staring imoshly
Polly plunged in nervously "Well, Theodore, are
you going canoe picnic tomorrow" she asked
No. Canoes always tips and drownds people,,
was the unctuous answer. And she began to jump up
and down with shrl Vi, vi, vi!
Il don't think you nice little grill! Polly burst
It was late before Polly slept that night "It isn't
that / mind dying was her piteous thought II only
l needn't be frightened frstl"
Daylight came on inexorably; there hope of
"0h, Miss Prentissl" called voice just outside
Put on your bathing-suit and come for dip. It's
great morning 80
"Im afraid there isn't time; We're just going to
Jump off the wharf and swim in. Polly found the pros
pec almost alluring She down the path and across
the strip of sand without needing her footsteps. They
saw her suddenly stop and totter, with sharp cry.
At first Polly was conscious only OF stabbing pam
in her left foot Then she saw Iheodora's peep-show
rudey overturned the broken tumber, and blood drip
ping horribly on the sand
Several hours later Polly lay on cot under pine
tree, her eyes full of heavenly serenity
"Conrage?" Cousin Caroline saying over by the
cook-house she arranged tray of lunch. My dears
l never dreamed the child had much spunk. She just
smiled at the DOCTOR and went calmly off to sleep"
Just exactly like her their hearty verdict and
the Lizard begged permission to carry her the tray
"Wil it be bad for you if | stay while you eat it!
he asked humby.
II think it will do me good, she assured him. -.
BY George, you're brave!" he burst out. Tied
here by the foot-gir like you-all your fun spoiled"
"Don't" she begged I'm not brave and you
All right III dead-game SPORT won't" he promised
cheerfuly.
content contemptuous of the pain in her foot bubbngy
gay at times dreamily serene when alone Only Iheo-~
dora held aloof.
She feels so dreadfuy because it was her peep
show" her mother explained the poor little thing
simply can't face you" Polly had her own views on
Theodoras behavior but said nothing little cloud
of depression had begun to oppress her spirits and
deepened day by day. One day, the Lizard found her
with her handkerchief in damp wad beside the hot
hand. that he took instant possession Of
thought every one had gone on the excursion she
said;
She hid her face in the cushions but that way
to escape him. "Tell old Lizard, Poy!" His lips
against her ear. Tell him, Ill dead,%game game sPort!"
+" That's what it isl" she cried, lifting her flushed
face I'm no sport. tell you'll I'm not brave |
meant to Jump into that pool fell in trying to
myself if you hadn't been there. And if you call me
brave again, shall simply die" And her face plunged
back into the cushions.
began to quver and shake She stole terrified glance
up and in SO doing let loose from him very roar of
laughter.
"Oh Polly!" was all he could say oh, Polyl"
II am glad you amused" she said.
ooh, Polly dear hate little boats and excursions
and precpices-hate EN- like poison Made out that
beastly programme just because / loved you so. Now
do you see why yawped?"
"But you loved me because was brave and sport"
she said resentfuly.
"My very dear girl" For once the Lizard was
enunciatng every syllable The thing that kept
from asking you at the end of the first twenty four
hours was the thought of the heroic life you would lead
me! Now do you why laughed3"
" I wouldn't have had you, them" said Polly unguard-
edy, and there was holding him off after that
Later when every had gone to supper glimpse
of Theodore skirtng past moved her to sudden inn
pulse.
Theodore" she called softly come here minute"
Theodore paused
my dear" Polly began with disarmng seriousness,
don't you think we're quits now1" She held out her
hand.
Theodore let her limp little paw be taken in shame
faced silence then away, but
If there's wafes, I'll get you some she called Nack
over her shoulder