The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-07-25

Pollyooly had Just taken TIE Hen
CRADLE John Rufin's tea Into hts at.
tiug-room and retired to the at.ic
above 1t, where she dwelt with .na.
red-headed cherub, her little brother
the Lump. when there came knock
ing on the outer door of the chan
bers. She went down and opened IL:
and there on the landing stood is..-
cling vision-a lady In confertton CT
scarlet and yellow, In which only q
beauty as brilliant as hers could dare
to deck itself. So fine. however, wa.
her coloring, so dark her eyes su.
hair. that even those primary colors
seemed hardly to give them their full
value.
She smiled at the sight Of Pollyooly's
angel face. In its frame Of red hair,
and said in delightful, eager voice,
You're the little girl Mr.. Hilary
Vance calls Pollyooly, the queen OF
the slum fairies You sat to him for
the pictures Of those fairy stories in
the Blue Aaeasine.''
Yes, ma'am." said Pollyooly, drop
ping courtesy like the well-mannered
child she was.
Wen, I'm the Esmeralda, the dancer"
said the vision, her face all alight with
eagerness- want a little girl to
dance with me in fairy dance at
the varolium. I've tried all the dane
ing schools in London without finding
the right one; then l saw the pictures
OF you In the Blue Magazine. and /
was sure that you were just what l
wanted ii you could dance little. |
went to Mr.. Vance; and he gave me
your address, and told me that you
could dance. because the first time he
saw you, you were dancing to barrel
organ
Yes. ma,am," said Pollyooly.
We'll, 1t isn't much dancing l want
from you. only Just to move about
lightly and be fairy in the picture;
and III pay you pound week. said
the Esmeralda, with the same eager
quickness.
A pound week." said Pollyooly:
and her blue eyes opened very wide.
shining.
Yes; and I'll find your dresses
and send you home every night after
the show. But perhaps I'd better ar
range 1t with your father and moth
err" -
I haven't got any father and moth
er." said Pollyooly.
Then will you come and dance with
me!" said the Esmeralda.
II must ask Mr.. Rufin. I'm his
housekeeper. He is in: I'll go and ask
him now" said Pollyooly.
The Esmeralda smiled a little mis-
chievously. "I1l come with you. You
can Introduce me; and I'll arrange it
with him., she said confidently, as IL
she had never had reason to doubt
her power Of persuading men.
They went to the sitting room door;
Pollycoly knocked at it, opened 1t. ush-
cred in the Esmeralda, followed her
In. and said: Please, sir, this is the
Esmeralda- And may l go on the
stage?"
From the unruffled GOODNESS with
which the Honorable John Rufiin rose
from his easy chair and bowed to the
Esmeralda. the sudden Eruption OF
dazzling visions in scarlet and yellow
might have been the commonest oc-
currence In his daily round.
He drew forward chair for her
saying: I'm charmed to make your
acquaintance. Like the rest of Lon
don. I'm looking forward with the
widest Impotence to seeing YOU |
dance"
Murmuring a polite hope that he
would not be disappointed, the Es-
meralda sat down He turned to Pol I
lyooly and said: Did my Mortified
ears deceive me? Or did | hear you
ask leave to go on the stage?'
Yes, please. sir" said Pollyooly |
firmly.
He shook his head sadly, and said /
n a reproachful tone: .Oh, PollyooIy, /
Poilyooly! This must be the result of I
your country up-bringing. No London
child OF twelve would dream OF going
IN the stage. This is the pernicious
effect OF life at Muttle-Deeping.'
But it's pound week. sir" said .
pollyooly, plucking at her frock. And (
Fou told me to make all the money | |
,ould and save all / could, because !
FOUR creditors might win the victory
and consign you to the deepest dun
econ in Hollawoy Castle and the Lump
md | would be turned out That was
What you said, sir"
A pound week, That's a very
inherent matter, said the Honorable
lonn Rufhn with great air of relief.
AS long as it's the honest desire for
lard cash and no silly giamor of the
ootiights, see no harm In the stage.
3ut has London manager offered
'ou an engagement? A CLEAN OF in.
diligence in a London Manager
mazing. It's Incredible. Pollyooly,
cure pulling the leg OF man old
nough to be your uncle
Its me" said the Esmeralda quick
: with dazzling smile. Il want her
0 go on the stage"
All, that explains the intelligence"
aid the Honorable John Rufln po-
itely.
Il want her to dance with me-in
fairy pastoral 1t will be quite
asy." said the Esmeralda.
Well, II the hours are not such as
spoil her complexion, which would
G crime, and ruin her constitution.