Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-11
BY GEORGE II FORD

tnpe of red on that deathly cheek, faint sigh and,
as Ned lifted his hands, long-draWn BREATH hur-
ryng footsteps near and the doctor CHEEKY voice.
"Bravely done, my boy; you've saved him. and Ned,
past the limit of his endurance Tell like log IN
dead faint. ,,7,.
white bed at home with vague remembrance OF be-
ing carried and of riding in carriage, but with
very real throbbing headache and soreness 81 pody
that he was at a loss, for while to account fof.
Gradually, however, the whole exciting experience
of the morning came back to him., :,
His first question How IS Polly, mother!
"Alive. dear thanks to your skill and courage
And now, not another word about It, Ihe doctor
says you must be quiet. "
mobile son." and all that, but that little performance
of his in the early hours of that morning was Ger,
tainy neither noble nor her9e 1t was nG NE n xent
to sleep with firm determination to tell Polly all
about it as soon as he saw him. -
No evil effects developing iii the morning. NED
was released from confinement and strolled in to
breakfast with all the airs which he fet MS present
dignity required. ;, -,
Ned had called with numerous messages to Polly,
who was improving daily. At last one evening" Mrs
Brown told him that Polly wished to see HIM, they
thought he might do so the next next morning II Ned
would come up abo.t eleven o clock
He promptly on hand and was ushered up
to the sickroom by the nurse 8, it,,
There his friend, propped up on ms f Plllo"S'
with an eager smile of welcome on his pale tace
Hello, Ned, I'm mighty glad they let let you up
I've been awfully lonely" said Polly. SIT down.
Ned took the chair which the nurse placed lot
'' How H is your back now, Polly? Does it pain you
much? he asked.
Haskins got through with us the day ne caught us
riding his old mare Do you remember zen - u.. hy
DO IT. replied Ned, put at his ease at once by
this assurance of Pollys interest in earthly affairs
Il should say | did!'
polly said Ned after an interval of silence
"have you ever done anything SO mean and sneaky
that you were ashamed to tell OF 1t! -
NO, l never have7 answered Polly: I'm might
lily ashamed of some things I've done but I'd just as
soon tell about tI them. g, Have ave you, Ned'
':When was that? or don't you want to tell!
"I'll tell you some time when-well-" with
side glance at the nurse Who fs6 Ry the
"Oh I'll run away if you boys have secrets to
talk about laughed the nurse, Jumping up; only
will have to go in half an hour ana. she retired
81 want to tell you this thing, Polly" said Ned,
when they alone, "because-well, because I've
been waiting to tell you; because-wel, because
want you to know.
This was certainly a rambling preamble, but Ned
did not know just how to start the confession he
Happen since I've been sick?" asked Polly.
MOO, not since; in fact, Polly, it was just be,
I'm so sorry did it. It's all my fault that you hurt
your back. l didn't mean it; really didn't and l
tried to stop you, Polly, but you would do It, L
want to tell you all about it and / will, so listen :
and Ned doggedy went over the whole story, and
at its conclusion sat with averted face waiting the
burst of anger which, from his knowledge of his
Not a word came to his ears, however, and when
Ned at last turned to look Polly sat with hand out
stretched to his unhappy hiend.
Ned seized on it, and gave it such squeeze that
its WINGED, and in spite OF the big lump IN his
throat Ned managed to gulp out, Thank you, Polly.
That's all right, Ned, and then they were inter
rupted by the nurse, who announced that time was
up and abruptly hustled Ned off home lighter
hearted than he had been for many day
That evening Ned sought out his father as he
was enjoying his quiet evening cigar alone on the
Father" said he; "do you remember that you
asked me some time ago what wanted for my
Eyes, my boy, I do" responded Mr.. Saunders;
'hotgpn- Ee sir would verv much like to know if you
had decided to give it to me-, proceeded Ned.
Now Ned" said his father, "this is altogether
Mo %ondsy. sISs"' 0u' O 'HO'y a''S "'' 1,''' ' ~
mo, father" persisted the boy; "that is not what
I mean at all. saw Polly to-day and l told him
about the whole matter, just as did to you last
night, and he was so kind and generous and so for
giving that I thought as I had been hateful to
him l should like to do something for him. Now,
he has gun at all, and whenever we go shooting
he has to borrow one from somebody, and thought
that if you meant to give new gun, 1 should
Polly"
"But, Ned, what will you do?"
"I'll do very we'll. / my old single barrel
still, and it is not much of nuisance after all
when one is used to it. Please let me have my way
about it. father; that is, he added, If you did mean
to have the gun"
Every we'll, Ned; 1t shall be as you wish, and II
order the gun tonight from New York How would
you like it marSed7"
81 hadn't thought Iof that but will, and let you
know in little while" answered his joyfully, as
he started to go upstairs Thank you very, very
much"
Retiring to his bedroom he closed the door,
emerging an hour later with slip of papers which he
handed to his father, saying THAT is what should
like sir, if may. Only it might be engraved better
than that"
Mr.. Saunders smiled as he read this legend labor
iously traced on the slip of paper:
POLLY BROWN,
from NED SAUNDERS,
Aug. 4, 1906.
"I think understand this, Ned, but you have
made a mistake about the date. Your birthday will
be reminder to Polly of Our making up to-day.
All right Ned hut dnnt Nnn tell Polly. and