Arizona republican., 1911-06-23
P0OLY0OLY AND THE LUMP
Copyright, 1909. by tho Pearson Pub
 fishing Company.
By Ed.ar yepson.


 attentions" cried the artist.
 Ho. yus. you did They began with haffability; an then you giv' me flow CTS an took me to music 'alls. Why, you give ne this at"
 No! I never gave you that hat," cried the artist in below of protest
 Well, you giv' me the money for it."
 Yes. l told you to buy a hat-the hat of your choice. l wanted to draw you in it. But I never bought that hat-never. l will not endure the as- persion." he cried.
 Well. I've bin expectin' you to pro- pose ever since; an las night you pro- posed proper-before witnesses"
 ''I couldn't have done it-I couldn't |" said the artist in the voice of a broken man.
 You're never goin' to be dishonor- able and deny it" cried Ermyntrude, shrilly
 T wasn't myself" groaned Mir. Hil- ary Vance.
 oh. 'Ilary, 'ow can you sye it. when l ses 10 Gwendolen Briggs as I'd never seen you so serious? An you was talkiI' somethin' wunnerful all the time. Callin' me your slum princess not but what I'd ave you ter know I live in the Wandsworth Road a most respectable neighborhood. An when we came back ere you harsked me to nyme the dye"
 Came back here? Asked you to name the dav?' walled Mir Hilary Vance.
 You're never goin 10 deny it. when GwendOlen Briggs and friend of CTS. nymed George Walker. card you sye tito sye nothink of MT. Jymes."
 If half London heard me say fl. whats the good of my denying it?' cried Mir Vance in a tone of utter de- spair.
 "I knew you wouldn't. You ain't one of them as 'ud plye fast an loose with a young lydy. But I did expeck you 10 receive me different from this warmer like" said Ermyntrude; and she sidled towards him.
 MT Hilary Vance backed hastily away from her. and said faintly. The matter has come as a surprise 10 me. My memories of last night are so con- fused"
 Well. you'd better get them clear, llary. My lawyer says as 'Ow prom ise of marriage given before witnesses is binding" said Ermyntrude. sternly.
 Your lawyer?" cried MT. Hilary Vance.
 Well. you promised to tyke me out CT buy the engagement ring, and when you didn't come. 1 went to see my lawyer: an . tells me that it's all right" said Ermyntrude.
 All right, Oh. heavens" said MT. Hilary Vance: and he plunged his hands into his pockets, and walked heavily up and down jhe room with supernal gloom on his face. Now and again he groaned.
 Ermyntrude sat down in a chair and watched him with the cold eye of proprietor Al the end of, three min utes she said. What are you goin' on like this for. 'Ilary? [ 'ope as 'ow you're goin' 10 heyNe like a man of Honor" She laid uncommon stress on the 'h" in honor.
 T must think il over .. I must think it over Go now |. There's a good girl-go.' said Mir Vance. faintly
 Ermyntrude rose with an air Of treat dignity: "I don't understand your manner 'Ilary." she said. But since you harsEs me. I'll leave you 10 think il hover But you'd better not try 10 plye no tricks on me. 1lary. for he Tor is the Tor. Good hafternoOn."
 She left the room with extraordi- lary dignity. but rather spoiled a fine exit by banging the door after her. MT. Hilary Vance sanl into a creaking chair. buried his face in his hands. and groaned. Good heavens, Pollyooly, what have l done?'
 q don't know. sir" said Pollycoly politely. Don't you want to marry herr"
 Marry that little cat? No" bel lowe" 1T. Hilary Vanee.
 PollyOOly reflected carefully for minute or two: then she said with the air of a sage. Then I don't think you'd better. SIT ! don't think she'd make a comfortable wife"
 Comfortable wife. Shed blight ne! She'd blast every inspiration, That girl has the nature of hyena. know it-I'm sure of it." cried NIT. Hilary Vance.
 Then you mustn't marry her, sir, said Poilyooly.
 But what am 1 10 do?' cried MT. Vance
 Pollyooly thought again; then she said: ''I should go on with my work. sir. Then you won't think abont it. MT. Hilary Vance raved that he would think about il till his dying jay. that his artistic powers were for ever destroyed. that he would never be able to work again. Then he got to his easel: and in ten minutes. under he inspiration Of Pollyooly's face. he mad forgotten the calamity and was working steadily At tea with the Lump on his knee. he was incOnceiv- lbly bitter on the subject of the pit alls which beset the path of the ar .ist
 Soon after tea came Mir James.
 At the sight of him Mir. Hilary Vance sprang 10 his feet and cried. How could you let me? Ton call yourself my friend; how could you let me?" u
 Have you repented already?' said Mir. James coolly.
 'Repented? I knew nothing about It. Last night was blank 10 me, save