Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-01
FRIENDS AND RIVALS.
BY GEORGE II. FORD.

over the whole story, and at its conclu-
sion sat with averted face waiting the
burst of anger which, from his knowledge
OF his friends character, he felt he had
every reason to expect.
Not a word came to his ears, however
and when Ned at last turned to look
Polly sat with hand outstretched to his
unhappy friend
Ned seized on it. and gave it such a
squeeze that it's owner WINGED. and in
spite of the big lump In his throat Ned
managed to gulp out, Thank YOU
Polly
That's all right. Ned" and then they
were interrupted by the nurse. who an
nounceo mat time was up and abruptly
Dustled Ned off home, lighter hearted
than he had been for many day.
That evening Ned sought out his father
as he was enjoying his quiet evening
cigar alone on the veranda after din
ner.
Father said he, do You remember
that You asked me some time ago what
l wanted for my birthday present.
Yes my boy. I do responded Mr.
saunders; and you modestly asked for
a new breech-1oadine shotgun
well. sir. I would very much like to
know If you had decided to give it to
me-" proceeded Ned.
Now. Ned" said his father. this is
altogether too eager. Your birthday does
not arrive until next Monday"
No father" persisted the boy; that
is not what I mean at all. I saw Poly
today and I told him about the whole
matter, just as I did to you last night,
and he was so kind and generous and so
forgiving. that I thought as had been
so hateful to him I should like to do
something for him. Now. he has no gun
at all. and whenever We go shooting he
has to borrow one from somebody. and I
thought that II you meant to give me a
new gun I should like 1t better If you
would give it to me to give to Polly
But. Ned, what Will you do?''
TIL do very we'll I can use my old
Of a nuisance after all when one is used
to it. Please let me have my way about
it. father-that is he added "if you
did mean me to have the new gum
Every we'll. Ned: it shall be as you
wish, and I'll order the gun tonight from
New York. How would you like it
marked?''
Il hadn't thought Of that, but I WILL
and let you know in a little while" an
swered his son joyfully. as he started to
go upstairs. Thank you so very, very
much.''
Retiring to his bedroom. he closed the
door, emerging an hour later with slip
of paper which he handed to his father
saying, THAT is what I should like. sir
If may. Only it might be engraved bet
ter than that
Mr.. Saunders smiled as he read this
legend laboriously traced on the slip Of
paper:
POLLY BROWN,
from NED SAUNDERS
Aug. t, 1906
81 think I can understand this, Ned,
hut you have made a mistake about the
date. Your birthday will be a reminder
to Polly Of our making up today.
''All right Ned. but don't you tell Poly.
and We will make it a surprise I want
to do something for him myself. We will,
have it all shipped by express to arrive
Monday morning"
Ned could scarcely wait for Monday
to come. SO excited was he at the thought
Of the surprise party" as he termed it,
he was preparing for his friend.
Sunday, Polly was pronounced fit to sit
up aud the next day. in honor of Ned's
birthday he was to be allowed to come
downstairs.
1t must be confessed that Ned, on his
birthday morning, when he looked over
the gifts laid out for him in the break
fast room. did feel as If he were making
a pretty big sacrifice.
His mothers present and his sisters.
and those of an aunt or two, who still
remembered to send him a necktie or a
pair of gloves, were there, but his ia
theirs gift. always the great prize Of
these occasions, was, of course, absent
a martyr to duty.
4, ap1x
tary, and after thanking them all he hur-
ried through breakfast and ran off to the
Browns.
after receiving his and Mrs. Browns con-
gratulations they sat down to a game of
checkers. Ned was usually the master
Of this game. but this time was disas-
trously beaten through his INABILITY to at
tend to his pay.
Severa! times he started up at the sound
of approaching wheels, on'y to find that
they were not attached to the vehicle he
was SO anxious to see; but at last. when
his patience was almost exhausted up
drove the expressman and stopped at the
door.
wonder what he's got?'' aueried Polly
Come for the nurses trunk, though,
SUPPOSE"
probably that's it," answered Ned.
with wonderfully assumed calmness con-
sidering his state of mind. But, Polly.
he seems to be taking something off. It's
a long box and there's another, square
one.
what in the world can it be-" said
Polly. Suppose you call mother, Ned.
Mr. Slocum will want his book stoned
Ned, choking with excitement. sum-
moned Mrs Brown from her homework
and resumed his seat as she opened the
door to Slocum.
morn, Mis- Brown" said the latter
as he stood ON the doorstep. wipins his
brow with his red bandanna handkerchief
for the morning was a warm one: got
two boxes hardware from New York for
ye."
Ned volunteered to bring the boxes
into the sitting room, and did SO. Wh'ie
Mrs. Brown went to get the ak and ham,
mer.
what do you think 1t is. Polly?" ask.
ed Ned. eve must all guess. you know.
..Tll tell you what I'm afraid it Is,
Ned" replied Polly. solemnly
WHAT"
"Crutches. DIR. Watt said l might nave
to use them for while you know.
"Crutches, nothing" responded Ned
sayagely. relapsing into slang under the
nressure. There is something heavy in
both boxes I guess it must be an electric
fan. You know in those hot nights how
Won needed one. Perhaps they sent Tor