Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1912-10-12
PECULIAR CONDUCT OF
P0LLYS QUEER VISITOR
ny cLAuplNE slssoN.

The screeching OF the pump chain
at the back door brought her trem-
bling to the floor and she tptoed to
the window and looked out, her eyes
heavy with WEAKNESS.
Before the pump stood a tall young
man clad in spotless white yachting
clothes. His fair hair was guiltless of
covering. He was drinking water from
a bright tin dlpper.
Polly watched him with bated
breath.-as one watches an apparition,
he did not vanish.
Polly raised the window a few eau
tious inches and spoke grufly.
do you want anything?' she In
CURED inhospitably.
The stranger turned a pair OF very
blue eyes toward her. 1t was evident
that he could not see her, but he
stared at the shutter.
yes" he replied deliberately, you
may bring me half a cup Of tea, half
q cup OF coffee and few waffles."
as that all?" murmured Polly meek
ly.
And make haste, please" he added,
waving a sun-burned hand toward her.
Polly locked the window and hasten
ed to the kitchen which was a dark
and deserted as any kitchen would
be at 4:30 on q June morning with
mistress and maids away from home.
Polly made a hot fire Of pine kind
lings, set on the waffle iron to heat,
filled the tea kettle, and ran upstairs
to dress. Her only thought was to
feed and get rid OF the queerly be-
haved stranger on the front porch.
Presently she CROPPED her way
through the smoke filled kitchen with
a tray containing crisp waffles and
butter, cup of tea and a cup Of cof'
fee with the necessary sugar and
cream. Cautiously she opened the
back door and placed the tray on the
bench outside. Then she re-locked
the door and FASTENED to the front
window.
Your breakfast is ready on the
back porch" announced Polly through
a crack of the window.
Thank you" he said alertly, and
hurried down the steps.
He stopped short at sight OF the
breakfast tray and shook his head.
Then he grasped the coffee cup and
poured half its contents upon the
ground. He repeated the operation
with the tea cup. Then he sat down
on the steps and proceeded to con-
sumo the waffles, drinking first a
swallow Of tea and then a swallow Of
coffee Suddenly he leaped to his |
feet, swept his cap off and addressed |
the kitchen door:
Farewell, fair wafTier!" he ejaculat- |
ed, and stalked away.
Polly Witham watched until his tall |
form had disappeared down a wooded |
road that led to the village. Then she |
sat down on the floor and alternately |
laughed and cried.
Later in the morning she drove her |
little car down to the postoflce. AS
she passed the livery stable she no
ticed that the newly washed carriages |
were ranged along the curbstone.
On the front seat OF a horseless
surrey sat her visitor of the morn
Ing, a rose In his lapel. A laprobe
was carefully spread over his knees
and he was sitting very straight and
staring right over the heads of the
indignant Nveryman and the village
constable.
The constable rubbed his ear with
l polished stick of authority. Come
Town outer there, young Teller" he
'asped.
The stranger smiled patronizingly.
My good man, be good enough to
BRING me half a cup Of tea and half a
up of coffee" he said
AS the words died on his lips, the
strangers face grew pale and gaunt.
His head dropped and he crumpled
Town on the seat.
All" cried impulsive Polly, as the
title crowd OF onlookers held back
rom assisting the stricken man.
Can't you see that he is i'll? Help
lin into my car. constable-he's a
riend Of ours" She lied.
In few moments Polly was racing
oward home with the constable sup
PORTING the unconscious man in sAs
eat beside her.
Late that afternoon little party OF
'achtsmen called at the Witham
ZONE and inquired for Polly's invalid
Who had regained consciousness only
o sink into a deep slumber They ex.
'lained to Polly that the stranger was
PAUL Amory, owner OF the yacht Sea-
rift. anchored in the bay below. Mr..
Imory had been suffering from sun.
troke and had eluded his watchers
nd left the vessel in the night.
Two weeks later, long after Mr.. and
lrs. Witham had returned home,
'aul Amory, quite recovered from his
lness. took his departure.
Miss Polly" said Amory, since
We been convalescent, I've been re-
rendering some funny things that
appened-before you befriended me
hat morning"
"Yes?" asked Polly, blushing a lit.
10.
you are the fair waffler?" he smll-
d down at her
81 am the walter" admitted Polly
olemnly.
And the half cups-were you not
-ightened?"
II was-and yet 1t was funny, too"
we'll wonder II you'll forgive
len for all the trouble I've caused 4
Oh and II you will let me return
ome day for the other half cups?"
lis hand closed over her small one.
hnpa ,sou ugII Kott.-oa Mt.