The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-07-23
FORD

What's that The hutter OF an cyed, another
inge OF red on that dcathly check faint sigh and
IS Ned lifted his hands. ong-drawn breath, hur-
rylns footsteps and the doctors cheery voice
"BTayely done, my boy; you've saved him.. and Ned
past the limit OF his endurance, icll like log IN
dead faint
Returning consciousness found Ned in his own
white bed at home with vague remembrance of be
ing carried and of riding III carriage, but with
very real throbbng headache and soreness OF body
that he was at loss, for while to account Tor.
Gradually. however the whole exciting experience
OF the morning came back TO HIM.
His first question was; How is Polly, mothcr?'
alive dear thanks to your skill and courage.
And now, not another word about It, The doctor
says you must be quiet.
1t was all very well to be dubbed hero" and
noble son" and all that, but that tle performance
OF his i'll the carly hours OF that morning was
tainy neither noble nor heroic. Ii was, he admitted
TO himselt' low down and Sneaky' ana nc wenI
10 sleep with firm determination TO tell Polly all
about 1t as he saw him.
No evil effects developing III the morning. Ned
released from confinement and Strolled in 10
breakfast with all the airs which he felt his present
dignity required
Ned had called with numerous messages to Polly.
who improving daily. NJ last evening Mrs.
Brown told him that Polly wished to him. they
thought lie might do the next morning If Ned
would come up abo eleven o'clock.
He was promptly on hand and was uShcred up
to the sckroom by the nurse,
There his friend, proppcd up on his pillows,
with eager smile Of welcome on his pale face
Hello, Ned m mighty glad they let you up;
I've been awfully lonely" said Polly "Sit DOWN
him ut the bedside
How is your back now. Polly? Does ii pain you
much? he asked.
Not half so much as it did when old Farmer
Faskrs got through with the day he caught
riding mis- old mare Do you remember
DO ll' replied Ned. put 1T his at once by
this assurance OF Poys interest IN earthly affairs,
Il should say | did!
=, Polly" said Ned, after an interval OF silence,
have you done anything and Sncaky
that you ashamed 10 tell OF IT.?
NO. never have, answered Polly. Il IN might
lily ashamed OF some things I've done. but I'd Just as
soon tell about them. Have you. NedF'
Yes" said Ned, 81 have, once"
When was that? or don't YOU want to tell?'
III tell you some time when-wcll-" with
side glance at the nursewho sat reading by the
dow-''whcn you get we'll stammcrcd Ned,
oh, III run away If you boy have secrets to
talk about laughed the nurse. jumping up, only
don't get too interested, because Master Saunders
will have to go in half, an hour" ana she retired
Il want to tell you this thing, Polly, said Ned,
when they alone, "bccause-wcll, because I've
been waiting 10 tell you; bccauSe-well because l
want you to know
This was certainly rambling preamble but Ned
did not know Just how TO start the confession he
Happen since I've been sckss', asked Polly. Is
MO-, not since; in fact, Polly, it was just be
fore 1t was something | did to you. oh. Polly!
I'm sorry did IT, It's all my fault that you hurt
your back | didn't mean 1t; | really didn't; and |
tried to stop YOU, Polly. but you would do 1t
want TO tell you all about it and | will so listen
and Ned doggcdly went over the whole story. and
its conclusion sat with averted face waiting the
friends character he felt he had every reason to
expect.
Not word to his ears, however and when
Ned at last turned to look, Polly sat with hand out
stretched TO his unhappy friend
Ned seized OH 1t. and gave 1t such squeeze that
its owner WINGED, and IN site of the big lump IN his
throat Ned managed to gup oIt. Thank you Polly.
That's all right Ned and then they were inter
ruptcd 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
Neranda after dinner.
Father" said be: do you remember that you
asked me some time ago what l wanted Tor my
birthday presents"
Yes my boy, | do" responded Mr. Saunders;
and you modcsty asked for new breech-loadmg
Well. sir l would very much like to know If you
had decided to give 1t to me. proceeded Ned.
Now. Ned" said his father, this is altogether
Monday"
mo, father" persisted the boy that is what
| mean at all / saw Polly to-day and l told HIM
about the whole matter. Just ] did 10 You last
night. and he kind and generous, and so for
giving. that | thought as had been hateful to
him should like to do something for him. Now.
he has no gun at all. and whenever we go shooting
he has to borrow ono from somebody. and thought
that il you meant to give gun should
like it better ii you would give it to me to give to
Polly,
But, Ned what will YOU do?"
I'll do very we'll. can my old single barrel
still, and 1t 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
me have the gum.
Very well. Ned; it shall be as you wish and I'll
order the gun tonight from New York. How would
you like IT markcd?"
Il hadn't thought OF that. but I will. and let you
know IN a little while answered his son loyfuly, as
lie started to go upstairs. Thank YOU so very very
much
Retiring to his bedroom he closed the door.
hour later with slip OF papers which nc
handed to his father, saying. That is what should
ike sir. If may. Only might be engraved better
than that"
Mr.. Saunders smiled as he read this legend labor
ously traced on the slip of paper
POLLY BROWN.
from NED SAUNDERS,
Aug. 4, 1906
81 think can understand this Ned. but you have
made mistake about the date Your birthday VIII