The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-13
Brown. Then-then Dick would have
no excuse for Withholding her freedom.

pIOWu. 1ueu-tueu LICK WOuiu nave
no excuse for Withholding her freedom.
AS for Polly, why, Grandmother
Featherston had undoubtedly weaned
the baby away from her mother.
Paula's heart hardened, and she
laughed unpleasantly. The Feather
stons were all that way-proud and
stiff necked and conventional to
fault. She could safely So that there
was no ache in her heart for any one
Dick. baby Polly or any one!
She walked defantly to the mirror
and, removing her hat, looked closely
at her fair face. She was as lovely as
ever The two years Of strain and
worry had not marred her beauty. She
must keep herself lovely for Denis
sake. Denis was an artist, a dreamer.
lover of beauty, and If she had dis
appointed Dick, who was not a beauty
worshiper, she must not fail to hold
Denis love forever.
A little terror took possession of her
for the moment. but she shrugged i'm
patiently and turned away from the
glass.
Denis was to meet her at the end of
the road. and they were to go in his car
to Boston. She had wanted this hour
to herself before she left Seaways for
ever.
Gently she closed the door and went
toward the stairs. Halfway down the
flight she stopped short.
From somewhere in the house came
the smell of burning wood-it was CO.
dar, perhaps driftwood-but. no; II
couldn't be that. She was quite alone
in the house.
1t was merely her fancy Something
In the hour had brought back the past
too wildly. How many times she had
come down the stairs at twilight sens
ing that same pungent odor from the
hearth fire in the library!
She must visit the library too. She
wanted that dear picture of Polly from
Dicks desk. He could have as many
more taken as he chose, she thought
bitterly, and he would have Polly too
| OF course the Featherstons would
teach Polly to despise her mother. But
she must hasten: Denis would be wait
ing.
She turned the knob Of the library
door and entered
Before the warm coziness of the
room she stood in dazed wonderment.
There was great, roaring fire Of drift
wood on the hearth, and somewhere a
gnarled bit of cedar was sending out
fragrant blue smoke.
A red shaded lamp Illuminated the
room softly.
Dick was writing at his desk, some
thing big and splashing. in his dashing
way.
Curled among the cushions on the
settee was Polly, fast asleep.
A low table was drawn close to the
j fire, and on 1t were singing kettle and
some clumsily arranged tiny cups and
saucers. Paula recognized them as
Pollys cherished toys. There were
other things-a pot Of jam and some
stale looking sweet biscuits. They
might have been hurriedly rummaget
from the chimney cupboard.
Paula saw these things in one swift
glance. She also saw Dicks broad bach
as he bent over the desk. He did no
turn his head at her entrance.
II must got! she told herself in wild
alarm, but still she stood there, afrait
to move.
Dick did not turn his head. but pres
emily he spoke. carelessly:
We've been waiting ages for you
dear. The kettles boiling over. Pv'
promised Polly that she shall pour tn
tea"
Paula leaned against the door ant
closed her eyes.
Coming, Paula?" asked Dick afte
awhile.
She came forward and, resting he
hands for support on the desk. leaned
t toward him.
"I-came here tonight-to-to-rul
, away with Denis Brown she said.
"Yes?
"Well, you cannot want me to pOu
, tea for you now?" she laughed bit
terly.
"Polly is to pour tea," he reminded
her gently. Besides, you will wan
to say goodby to her."
AIR she cried sharply. "You art
cruel"
He was silent His pen ceased t
write, and she knew that he was star
ing into the fire.
He must have suffered. His DARK
hair was almost white.
Polly stirred. opened her eyes, yawn
ed like a white kitten and stared at hel
mother with unbelieving joy.
"Oh, muvver muvver!" she shrieked
at last, and, tumbing off the settee
she came to Paula's Outstretched arms
For long time Paula held her there
feeling her numbed heart slowly melt
ing under the touch of the warm little
body. Baby kisses smothered her face
and throat, and little baby chuckles OF
endearment fell on her hungry ears.
At last Paula lifted wet eyes and