The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-05-02
POLLY VAS 4 BRICK
Fell in Love With Rich Son and
Then Married the Butler.
BY w. p. ouAYLE.

Y James came home and told his moth
or that he was engaged to be married.
was butler then at the Stacey place
They were not what you would call
well-born: myself I'D call 1t rich-born.
They had piles Of money. and besides
myself there we're first and second
man, to say nothing OF the maids and
Mrs. Simmons, the housekeeper.
James Stacey had been his mother's
idol He had inherited all her pride,
4 and he had her obstinacy too, and
more. So when heard of 1t / knew
there would be q battle royal between
them. You see, knew the young
woman. Polly Ryland was one of the
smartest girls in old Stacey's perfum-
I cry department You know, he died
before the department store was as
large as it is now, but 1t went on just
the same and prospered. though young
Mr.. Stacey seldom went near 1t until
he accidentally met Polly there.
She was the prettiest thing coun-
try girl, small, vivid, as you might
call it, with deep gray eyes and mass
OF red hair. Pretty red, sir, not car
roty-like. That hair goes with a tenn
per, they say, but sometimes they're
wrong, guess.
James Stacey had never been in love
before He was a quiet, studious chap.
a good deal Of a book-worm, and a
good deal of snob. overheard him
telling his mother about Miss Ryland.
well, my dear James," she said in
her stately way, "if your heart has
spoken to you / shall not interfere,
provided the young lady is worthy of
you. And I must say it will take a
good deal, of character. not to speak of
4 worldly emoluments' that was the
word she used-.'to be worthy of you.
Can guess. James? 1t is not one of
the Sanger girls?"
mo. mother" said Mr. James. very
subdued.
Then one of those charming daugh-
tiers of Mrs. Lucas? No? Well,
James, will cease guessing. Who is
she?"
"Her name is Miss Mary Rylands,"
said Mr. James. "She works"
Works. James!"
TN the perfumery department of
our store"
Mrs. Stacey burst out laughing.
You are very amusing, my dear
boy" she said.
Amusing or not, mother, am go
ing to marry her." said James Stacey,
and then the battle was on. But that
was all heard that day, because
dared not wait any longer.
Hell marry her" said Mrs. Sim
mons when told her that evening.
"And good thing too. It'll be the
making of him. He isn't a man yet,
he's ninny."
Seems to me she's too good for Mr..
James," said Louise, the first house
maid. Most any girl would be-
Hold your tongue and don't be
speaking disrespecffully Of your bet
ters," cried Mrs. Simmons, who is
English. angriiy
It was about i've days after that
that Mr.. James won the first battle of
the war. He brought Miss Ryland up
to the house and / was fortunate
enough to be In the dining room when
Mrs Stacey swept down to receive
her. She wouldn't have her in her
sacred reception room-I suppose she
thought she would steal something.
"Humph!" she said, looking at her
through her lorgnette. ESQ you are
the young woman whom my son wish
es to marry!"
Yes, Mrs. Stacey" answered Miss
Polly demurely. should have thought
her looks would have softened any
body's heart, but not hers.
James, you may leave u.s." said his
mother. and James, who knew when to
yield, left the room submissively.
caught the look of surprise upon Miss
PoIly's face.
Now, my dear young woman" said
Mrs. Stacey, dropping her airs. ''let us
have frank talk. William!"
Williams me, and that meant I
wasn't meant to hear. But did hear.
Eavesdrop? Not bit of it, sir /
was uncorking wine in the back dining
room beside the dumE-waiter, and II
overheard that was no fault of mine.
Il understand that my son wishes
to marry you," Mrs. Stacey says. 81
suppose you wish to marry my son1
didn't hear Miss Polly's answer
1T would be great change from
your present mode OF life." said Mrs.
Stacey scornfully, land let me say
that you never will marry James. Now
don't misunderstood me. OF course,
If you two choose to elope cannot
prevent it, but the property is mine
absolutely and If you marry him not a
nanny will 90 tn him Ia II wortt, uyhilo
to ruin his life? Remember am a
woman of my word. never have
changed and never will change
Now!"
couldn't hear the answer, but l
heard the rising note in Miss Polly's
voice. think Mrs. Stacey had meant
to offer her money but changed her
x,lan in tina Anx1uau hx tho 4is,a., II.