The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-08-08

| On. JOY. murmured Ella ErOnd, and
the other girls echoed her words. Only
Polly Skinner was quite silent. She
didn't object to- the scheme. for. sac
knew. that Billy Pinekney was immune
from real sentiment. for ne was the
son OF his mother and Mrs. Pinckney
was as cold and unsympathetic as a
block of marble.
And Polly did want Dick Westford
to come. only somehow shed rather
ne came because he wanted to be there
with her and not because Mrs. Pinck.
aey sent for him.
Still. 1t was taking long chance on
Mrs. Pinckney sending for Dick West
ford. but the plan was worth trying, for
Seahurst was deadly dull without any
men around
For week there was plenty Of ex.
c1tement at the Seahurst hotel To be-
gin with. our five girls completely
monopolized Billy Pinckney and show
cred so much undivided attention upon
the pale youth that his head was quite
turned
ned to his adoring mother one evening,
and that Mortified lady put up her lor-
gnette and stared at him.
William. my son" she gasped, ''nev-
er, never use such language In my
presence again. As for receiving atten-
ton from the girls in this house. you
mustn't take it seriously. for remem-
Der you are the only man here at pres
ent'
Billy was silent. His mothers insin-
uation stung him to the quick. He
would prove to her that it was him
self and not his sex that attracted.
He would pick out one girl. and that
girl would be the prettiest and the wit
test and the one he liked best. 1t
would be Polly Skinner.
Thereafter the group Of schemers
found their plans taken out of their
hands by no less a person than Billy
himself. He would have none of them
except Polly. and Polly was sacrificed
upon the altar for their general good
81 heard Mrs. Pinckney say last night
that there was safety in numbers" re-
marked Belle Sears. Somebody had
spoken of Billy's sudden popularity
BOOM"
$50 I'm to be the burnt offering?' de-
manded Polly Indignantly. why,
like him less than any Of you do"
You're sun burnt offering. and you
look like a dear Run along. honey;
there's your Billy waiting for you. All
he needs is pink parasol to become
a pink dream" laughed Ella. giving Pol
~ push toward the waiting cavalier.
| Polly went.
The next day Billy Pinckney shocked
his mother by announcing that he
wanted to marry Polly Skinner and Ii
he couldn't he would just as soon die
| as not.
Have you asked her. dear?' falter-
ed Mrs Pinckney.
mot yet. mother. but I'm going to
tonight" he declared. thankful that
she had not objected more strenuousiy
promise me one thing. William.
she said solemnly. wait just one
week before you ask Polly Skinner to
marry you" -.
"Why?" he demanded impaiently.
Because | ask it OF you"
"AIl right. | promise. but | shan't
change my mind" he threatened as ne
left the room.
Mrs. Pinckney smiled. because she
had lived with Billy for many years
and knew him to be impressionable.
Almost any other of the girls would
have done for Billy. and she might
have reluctantly submitted. for all
were we'll to do save Polly Skinner.
Billy must have rich wife
She drew sheet OF note paper be-
fore her and wrote to Dick Westford.
She mentioned Polly SINNERS name.
She marked the envelope please for
ward" and she attached special de-
livery stamp. She mailed 1t immedi-
ately and sat down to wait for Dick S
coming. There was a whole week be.
fore Billy's promise would become nuil
and void
Three days afterward the five con-
spirators were sitting in their accus-
| VOFu6T Vi LIE uOlct piazza.
Where has Billy been today?' ask
ed Ella Frond. sitting a yawn. Il
haven't seen him tagging after you,
Polly. Have you sent him awayT
mot H. declared Polly. watching the
approaching hotel bus with wistful
eyes. 81 went for solitary walk this
morning and surprised him walking
with the pretty hambermaid from our
floor. He was helping her carry a
basket of linen to the hand laundry
across the field"
BILLY Pinckney!" shrieked her COM
panions in chorus.
Polly nodded. AFTER all our time
and trouble" she sighed.
The hotel bus was loaded with pas
sengers from the 6 o'clock train. The
married women buzzed forward 10
greet their husbands: the unmarried
women looked wistfuiiy at the mass OF
blue serge and gray tweed elbows tnat
projected from the crowded vehicle.
%rOxr no