The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-07-11
CHESTNUT
LODGE
RY 4. Marin Crawford
BY a. Maria Crawford

that | came day before yolir other
guests. Aunt Phoebe. 1t gives me an
opportunity to have a comfortable talk
with you"
Bob Gaines is coming this after
noon for the same reason. If my
headache doesn't get better, ! will
be compelled to leave you two to en-
terrain each other"
Bob Gaines of all people, ] be
lieve | will catch your headache,
moaned Polly "Irl't 1t too bad that
we dislike each other when you love
us both and want to pair us off like
cooling doves?"
There Is one thing that puzzles
me. Polly. You have never seen Bob
he has never caught a glimpse OF
you, yet you claim that hate boils In
your hearts. II isn't reasonable
mere prejudicel Somebody carried
tales, yet neither of you will give the
culprit away"
Polly glanced up at her Aunt
Phoebe with mischief lurking in her
blue eyes, "What will you give me
TO make this young person change
his opinion of me? Chestnut lodge?
That's not fair, Polly. have
willed you everything l have except
this house and grounds. ] promised
1t to Bob when he was thirty and
can't 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 ! actually want. Look
at these high ceilings this wainscoat
ing, the beautiful old mahogany and
rosewood furniture the rugs-all to
go to man that despise! Why dc
you love him So Aunt Phoebe? He
isn't related in any way and an
your own sisters child"
Aunt Phoebe sat looking pensively
in the fire where the big logs were
blazing. Her face, crowned with its
soft white nair, appeared singularly
youthful and there was reminiscent
tenderness In her eyes
Polly" she said 81 am going to
tell you why l love Bob Gaines and
why l expect to give to him this house
next year. He will be thirty then
His father courted me in this very
room. | loved him, but I was fool
tsh young thing and flirted with
everybody. You remind me of what
was In those days He said that II
loved him | must give up all my
other admirers. We quarreled about
it and-and he married Bob's mother. y
"Oh, Aunt Phoebe dear, / didn't
dream Of anything like that. How
often' l must have hurt you! How
true you have been through all these
long, lonely years-true just to a
memory. That" said Polly softly
her arms tight about the straight
alistocratic old figure, this is what
| call love! 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 good
nights sleep is what | need. My
headache is really severe"
Polly changed her travelling dress
for filmy little gown that looked as
If 1t had been made of moonlight
The diamonds on her breast cleaned
like stars in summer sky. Why
did she feel so antagonistic to Bob
Gaines? She sat musing in the great
chair that Miss Phoebe always oc
cupled when sh was downstairs. II
was all because of a chance remark
of the mans, made soon after the an
nouncement that Polly Moore would
inherit all her Aunt Phoebes estate
that is, everything except Chestnut
Lodge, the beautiful stone house
built on farm Edith Tyson had
told Polly what Bob Gaines was re
puted to have said at his club.
Il suppose people will say that
ought to hunt up Polly Moore and
marry her to get the rest of Miss
Phoebe's wealth, but no spoiled flirt
for me-"
We'll" Polly had answered when
Edith had repeated the remark, "the
next time you see that young man
please say that would rather be an
old maid than to marry an idle, red
headed freshman. Aunt Phoebe told
me his hair was red"
The message had been promptly
delivered, and Polly and Bob had
thereafter avoided each other
When James switched on the lights
in the hall Polly saw a good looking
stranger standing there, suitcase
beside him. His hair, she noticed
with a start of surprise, was not red
but brown.
When he had made himself pre-
sentable and entered the drawing
room, Polly extended her hand cor
daily.
at last we meet, Mr. Gaines.
am Polly Moore. as you probably
know"
"One OF the maids tells me that
your aunt Is indisposed ! am very
sorry, but at the same time little
glad for It gives me a nice long
evening with you
Polly exerted all her efforts to
charm the man. She remembered the
sweet story of her Aunt Phoebe s
romance and her heart was warm
for this young fellow who might
have been Miss Phoebe's own son
The man himself seemed strangely
III at ease. but Polly attributed 1t to
the fact of their hitherto violent
hatred.
THAT cabinet over there of curios
Is worth a small fortune" he said
indicating n ouaint hand-caryed niece