The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-03-07
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
CHESTNUT LODGE.
By A. Maria Crawford.


am SO glad" said Polly Moore
that came a day before your Other
guests. Aunt Phoebe. 1t gives me ar
opportunity to have comfortable talk
with you"
Bob Gaines is coming this after
noon for the same reason III nv head
ache doesn't get better. will be com
PEELED to leave you two to entertain
each other"
Bob Gaines. Of all people! / be-
lieye will catch your headache
moaned Polly. Isn't IS too bad that
we dislike each other when you love
us both and want to pair US on like
cooling dovesf'
There Is one thing that puzzles me-
FOLLY You have never seen Bob, he
mas never caught glimpse Of you, yet
you claim that hate botls In your
hearts. 1t isnS ACKNOWLEDGMENT re-
JUDGE. Somebody carried tales, yet
neither OF you viii give the culprit
away"
What will you give me to make
this young person change his opinion
OF met Chestnut Ledger
That's not fair, Polly. have will
ed you everything have except this
mouse and grounds. / promised II to
Bob when he was 80, and 1 cant go
back On my promise. The fact of the
matter Is that have had 1t attended
to legally. Bob gets the place next
year"
This house is the only thing in the
world that I actually want. Look at
these high ceilings, this wainscoting,
the beautiful old mahogany and rose
wood furniture, the rugs-all to go To
q man that 1 despise. Why do you
love him so. Aunt Phoebe? He isn't
related In any way and am your own
sisters child"
Aunt Phoebe sat looking pensively
IN tho nre where The big logs were
blazing.
Polly" she said, "I am going To
tell YOU Why j love Bob Gaines and
why expect to give him this house
next year. He will be 80 then. His
father courted me in theis very room.
1 loved him. but was a foolish young
thing and flirted with everybody. You
remind me OF what i was in those
days. He said that If ] loved him /
must give up all my other admirers.
We Quarreled about It and-and he
married Boo's mother"
On. Aunt Phoebe, dear. / didn't
dream OF anything like shat. How
OFTEN l must have hurt you! How true
you nave been all through these long.
lonely Tears-true just to a memory.
That said Polly. softly, her arms
tight abouS the straight aristocratic
OLD ngure, that is what / call lovet
everything in this room is suddenly
fragrant with romance"
MISS Phoebe smiled at the eager
young face so near her own.
BE kind to Bob when he comes
1t is almost dark now and a good
nignSs sleep is what need. My head
ache is really severe"
Why did she feel so antagonisttc TO
Bob Gaines? She sat musing in the
great chair that Miss Phoebe always
occupied when she was down stairs.
1t was all because of a chance re-
mark or the mans, made soon after
the announcement chat Polly Moore
would inherit all her Aunt Phoebe's
estate. that is, everything except
chestnut Lodge, the beautiful stone
house on a farm. Edith Tyson had
told Polly what Bob Gaines was re-
puted TO have said at his club.
suppose people will say that ]
ought to huns up Polly Moore and |
marry her and get the rest of Miss |
Phoebe's wealth, but no spoiled fairt |
for me-"
WELL" Polly had answered when |
Edith had repeated the remark. the
next time you see chat young man,