Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1910-02-12


TO bis fnger.tips when Polly opened
the gate before a pretty white cot
tage; but he contrived to walk with
proper sedateness behind his small
guide, who was fairly quivering with
the delightful Importance Of the oc-
'casion He was pacing nervously up
and down the parlor, however, when
Polly disappeared in quest of Aunt
Madge
Scott Fairfield started quickly for
ward as the door opened, but his inn
passioned "Madge" died on his lips,
ard his outstretched hand dropped to
his side Polly was leading a small,
dark-haired, bright-eyed woman up to
him and saying:
This Is my Aunt Madge, Mr.. Fair
field"
Every vestige Of self-possession left
the master of the village school, and
he stumbled and blundered in hope
less confusion, while his face went
from white to red, and red to white.
"I-er-oh-there is some mistake
-er-I'm delighted, I'm sure" then
to Polly with wrathful recklessness-
why, child, you said she was tall
and" he stopped short with sud
den realization of the vivid color that
was staining scarlet the face of the
pretty little woman at his side.
Apparently my niece has been ia
voring you with my personal descrip
tion-and the reality disappoints
you" she began frigidly, but with the
suggestion of a twinkle IN her eyes
there was something wonderfully
ludlcrous in the picture of confusion
before her.
The poor man opened his mouth to
speak, but Polly came to his rescue.
Papa said you wouldn't recognize
IT." said she. gleefully.
Recognize what?" questioned Aunt
Madge, turning to Polly in surprise.
Your biography, of course, and
you said it was praising 'em way to
the skies when II wasn't true, tool"
Aunt Madge colored and bit her lip,
and the ghost of smile fiickered for
an instant across the distressed face
OF the man; then he gathered all his
scattered wits and made a mighty eff
fort
Il sincerely beg your pardon. The
fault was all my own | was led, by
what this little maid said in her biog-
raphy to think that in her Aunt
Madge / had discovered a long-lost
friend. only hope you will kindly
excuse my awkward stupidity when
you realize how great must have been
my surprise as | saw, not my friend,
but an entire stranger enter the
room" Then he turned to Polly with
faint smile, but a deep pain far
down in his eyes. 81 fear, my dear,
that my meaning was not quite clear
to you about the biography did not
intend that you should imagine 1t
all"
81 didn't" asserted Polly, stoutly
81 was telling all the time about a
beautiful lady that / love very dear
ly. and it's all true. every bit of a
word. It's Miss Weston, over at
Cousin Mabers | Just wrote about
her for Aunt Madges biography
that's all" added Polly with a sob in
her voice.
"She means Madge Weston who is
visiting my brothers family across
the street; the young lady has sud
denly become Polly's idol" explained
Aunt Madge hastily, marveling at the
great light which transformed the face
of the man before her. as the name
passed her lips.
Five minutes later he had mingled
hasty adieus and apologies and had
turned quick steps toward the house
across the way
Aunt Madge, with a sympathetic lit
tie thrill for that other woman's COM
ing joy, saw through the window the
door OF the opposite house open and
close on Fairfeld's stalwart form;
then Polly was surprised with a spas
modic hug and fervent kiss from her
usually undemonstrative auntie.