Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1910-02-19

His blood was coursing maaiy
through his veins and he was tingling
to his finger-tips when Polly opened
the gate before pretty white cot
tage; but he contrived to walk with
proper sedateness behind his small
guide, who was fairly quirering 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 I'M
passioned "Madge" died on his lips,
and 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.
"1-er-oh-there is some mistake
-er-Pm 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 twinkle in her eyes
there was something wonderfully
ludicrous 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 it wasn't true, too"
Aunt Madge colored and bit her lip,
and the ghost of a smile flickered for
an instant across the distressed face
of the man; then he gathered all his
scattered wits and made mighty eff
fort.
'T sincerely beg your pardon. The
fault was all my own. I was led, by
what this little maid said in her biog-
raphy, to think that in her Aunt
Madge / had discovered long-lost
friend l 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 deep pain far
down in his eyes. II fear, my dear,
that my meaning was not quite clear
to you about the biography. l 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 Mabels. / just wrote about
her for Aunt Madge's 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 Fairfield's stalwart form
, then Polly was surprised with a spas
} modic hug and fervent kiss from hel
usually undemonstrative auntie.