Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1913-07-11
POLLY WAS A BRICK
Fell In Love With Rich Son and
Then Married the Butler.
BY w. p. QUAYLE.

~r that he was engaged to be married.
i was butler Their at the Stacey place
They were not what you would call
well-born; myself I'd call 1t rich-oorn.
They had piles of money, and besides
myself there were a first and second
man, to say nothing of he maids and
Mrs, Simmons, the ~housekeeper.
James Stacey had been his mothers
Mol. He had inherited all her pride,
and he had her obstinacy too, and
more. So when l heard of it l knew
there would b. a battle royal between
them. You see, I knew h young
woman. Polly Ryland was n OF the
smartest girls in old Stacey's perfum-
cry department. You know, ne died
before the department store was as
aaxge as it is now, but 1t went on just
ne same and %prospered, though young
mr.. Stacey seldom went near 1t until
he accidentally met Polly there.
She was the prettiest thing-a u
try girl, small, vivid, as you might
call it, with deep gray eyes and a mass
OF red hair. Pretty red, sir, not car
xoty-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,
Q good deal of a book-worm, and q
GOOD deal of a snob. overheard him
ceiling his mother about Miss Ryland-
We'll, my dear James," she said IN
her stately way, "if your heart has
--zI~1z - ~, I cho1 nnt infpFfQrA-
provided the young lady is worthy
you. And l must say 1t will take q
GOOD deal of character, not to speak OF
worldly emoluments"-that was the
word she used-"to be worthy of you.
Can l guess. James? 1t Is not one of
the Sanger girls?"
NO, mother" said Mr.. James, very
eubdued.
Then n of those charming daugh-
ters of Mrs. Lucas? No? Well
James, 1 will cease guessing. Who ID
ste?"
Her name is Miss Mary Rylands,'
sadd Mr.. James. "She works"
Works, James!"
in the perfumery department O
our store"
Mrs. Stacey burst out laughing.
"You are very amusing, my deal
boy" she said.
Amusing or not, mother, / am go
ang to marry her" said James Stacey
and then the battle was on. But tina
was all l heard that day, because
dared not wait any longer.
Hell marry her." said Mrs. Sim
o when l told her that evening
~And a good thing too. tin be tn
making of him. He isn't a man YET
hes a ninny."
Seems to me she's too good for Nd
James," said Louise, the first house
maid. Most any girl would be"
Hold your tongue and don't b
upeaking disrespectfully of your be
terS," cried Mrs. Simmons, who
English, angr1ly.
It was about i've days after th'
that Mr.. James won the first battle
the war. He brought Miss Ryland Y
no the house and l was fortunat
enough to be In the dining room whe
Mrs. Stacey swept down to recei'
her. She wouldn't have her In b
sacred reception room-I suppose 81
thought she would steal something.
"Humph!" she said, looking at b
through her lorgnette. $50 you a
the young woman whom my son wis
60 10 marry!"
Yes, Mrs. Stacey" answered MI
Polly demurely. / should have thong
her looks would nave softened al
body's heart, but not hers.
James, you may leave u.s." said
mother, and James, who knew when
Yield, left the room submissively.
caught the look of surprise upon M
PoIly's face.
Now, my dear young woman" 81
Mrs. Stacey, dropping her airs, let
have a frank talk. William!"
Williams me, and that meant
wasn't meant to hear. But l did he
B~ayesdrop? Not a bit of 1t, sir.
was uncorking wine in the back din
room beside the dumb-waiter, and
overheard that was no fault of mir
"T understand that my son wis
to marry you," Mrs. Stacey says.
suppose you wish to marry my son
didn't hear Miss Polly's answer
"It would be a great change fl
your present mode of life," said \
Stacey ~scornfully, IAN let me
that you never will marry James. 7
don't misunderstood me. OF cou
If you two choose to elope l car
prevent it, but the property is n
absolutely and if you marry him n
n will go to him. Is it worth W
to ruin his life? Remember, l a,
woman of my word. l never l
changed and l never will cha
Nowt"
I couldn't hear the answer, b
heard the rising note in Miss Pc
voice. | think Mrs. Stacey had m
to offer her money but changed
plan in time. Anyway, by the time
James came in both women were
ing and there was a three-corn
fight in progress, Miss Polly ms