The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-28
By DOROTHY BLACkMoRE.
(Sopyright. 1911, BY Associated Lit
erAry Press)

(sopyrisht. 1911, BY Associated Lit
erary Press)
1T does seem too bad that some
nice n1an do. at lind Poiu." remarked
Mrs. k.arlinsloa.
She IL destined for an old maid,
my dear. ! told you that long ago
her husband answered consolinEly.
"Ano tho sooner she accepts the In
evttabaa and stops struggling, the
better
y cure absolutely heartiess, Frank.
and Polly il the best friend either
you or l have in the world, and you
know It"
Mrs Earlington's eyes filed with
tears as she bent over her crocheting.
She was sympathetic little woman
and every time she thought Of the
difficult and lonely life Of her dearest
friend, Pauline Bates. her heart over
flowed with compassion for the girl.
Pauline-Polly. they called her--did
tutoring In and about the small VIII
laGe OF dlenvile. and most of her in
come was sent back home to support
her widowed mother and two younger
sisters She was a wholesome. wom-
aniy, attractive girl. well out of ner
teens. and although every one. men
and women. liked her. no man who
was worth while seemed to have
fallen In love with her. And Yet
there Was not girl in the little circle
OF young people In Chenille who
would have made SO admirable wife.
Mrs Darlington had known her for
years and the coy home of the
Eariingtons WAS always open to
Pauline. In fact. as Mira. Darlington
frequently remarked. she didn't know
how they could keep house without
DO rlfy
were out, or III. Pnuline always man
aged TO be on hand to help with the
children. II the cook left, Pauline
never failed to drop in to help pre-
pare the meals. II Frank had to be-
out Of town. Pauline came to stay
with Mrs. Darlington. II the Earring
tons entertained. Pauline was the
ever ready helper. for she played the
piano. made chatting dish supper.
or did mere parlor tricks better than
| either the host or hostess.
Frank, I want you to listen to me, y
began Mrs. Darlington. opening the
subject again.
Her husband looked up from his
| rural journal. He was deep In the
mysteries OF how to prune fruit
trees, but he suppressed a sigh and
looked across the reading table to-
ward his wife.
I'm serious about Polly--we must
hnd husband for her
did she say so" asked tho man
hiandly.
Mrs. Darlington withered him with
a look. docs Pauline ever say any
thing foolish?" she asked.
Not often enough-that's one OF
her faults
Her principal fault, 10 far A.
can see. la being entirely too good
and conscientious and capable for
any mere man. No one appreciates
her." retorted Mrs Darlington.
Her husband rolled his precious
| magazine into a tube and frowned.
Well? What can we do? / can't
go around the world dragging men
out here to meet her and extolllng
her virtues. You know how a man
takes to the sort OF girl you have to
do that for
"Of course not-but there must be
subtle ways OF getting At It," Mrs.
Darlington said, vaguely.
You'll have to do anything subtle
that's done in our family. dear. I'm
as far from being subtle as-as .
blow on the head"
T His wife did not hear him; she was
thinking. Suddenly a smile flashed
across her face.
Polly Is a grand cook!" she said
but who knows II :" asked Frank.
mo one but you and me, and--hsr
family. perhaps. Most Of Polly's
charms--if cooking may be called a
charm--are hidden under the proven
bial bushei." sighed Mrs. Darlington.
Her husband agreed with her
And think---oh, Frank, couldn't
you invite the boys and men Of the
choir Of st. pQuls to a-waH saw n
pancake supper, and we'll have Polly
make the pancakes?" Ars. Earring
tons eyes fairly danced at the pros