The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-04-07
When Polly
Ran Away
There Were Too Easy Vic
tories.
By PERRY MOORE

"fEbullition of pique!" Polly
puckered her pretty face into a
scowl and jabbed in her hatpin vici-
ously. "Temper, he meant! AS if
1 hadn't reason and more! And
he'll come tonight as usual, will he,
in spite of my note, which he is sure
says much more than l intended"
Then she glanced at an open let
ter on the dresser. "Sure, are you,
Mr.. High-and-mighty? Well, l
guess you'll see, and l guess when
you arrive with your benignant
favor all ready to hand out and find
no little sinner anxiously waiting
for it you'll begin to think that my
note didn't say an atom more than
1 meant"
She giggled a little, dashed her
handkerchief across her eyes, ad-
justed her veil and slipped out
quietly-for Polly was running
away, and not a soul of them should
know her whereabouts until she had
indited and dispatched an epistle to
MI. Fred Hanlon giving him to In
derstand thoroughly that their en-
gagement was forever at an end.
This epistle should be very digni-
fed and emphatic, leaving no posi-
bility Of its being attributed to mere
pique. She would have delighted in
imparting her irrevocable decision
to Fred personally, only-well, Fred
had such a way, and he would just
pick her up and kiss her and laugh
at her and maybe say, "Nonsense,
little grip and make her effort
ridiculous.
Of course she would have to
laugh, ever if she were angry, and
when she laughed once it would be
all up with her dignity. She would
give in and take Fred's petting and
chocolate creams instead of carry
ing out her serious intention. The
dear boy always remembered her
taste for chocolate creams, but she
must remember he wasn't a dear
boy any more.
He was an autocrat who had as
sumed authority over her beyond
his right, had dictated as to her
conduct and made himself so dis
agreeable that she was determined
to put up with it no longer.
She had been merely amusing
herself with that new, Spanish look
ing young man, who had a delight
full accent and a gratifying admira-
ton for Miss Polly. It was great
fun to engross him entirely and
render him oblivious to the charms
Of the other girls.
She had meant nothing more at
all, but now, since it was to be all
off with Fred-Mr. Roderique was
very wealthy = perhaps she would
eventually consent to reign in the
ancestral halls he had described so
glowingly.
Polly was swiftly pursuing her
way, mindful that there was need Of
haste if she would reach her desti-
nation before it was ''scary" dark,
when a couple of the girls appeared
around a corner and hailed her.
She shook her head and passed
on, a little vexed, for she was oblig-
ed to make a long detour to avoid
their company and her own fnclina-
ton to tell things.
Nobody should know of the rup-
ture with Fred until she could ex-
hibit the Roderique diamonds in
her engagement ring. Then if Elsie
Wilson, who admired Fred openly,
could capture him, let her! Any
body was welcome to Fred. Never
theless she felt q twinge of jealousy
and sneered at herself for it.
"Wait, Polly, waltz She turned
to see three of the girls, this time
hurrying toward her with "news"
on their eager faces. She coolly
DETECTED from her course again,
obviously avoiding them.
"Such q time as I'm having run
ming away!" she unused whimsical
y. "Heroines usually have adven-
lures and difficulties in escaping,
but they run away at night. I'd be
scared to death! Then, too, Fred
will be sure to come early, whistling
Pretty Polly Oliver and With
q shrek Annabel Hanlon fell upon
her. III.
ooh, Polly! Isn't it awful?"
Il should think SO by your looks"
Polly smiled, though she heartily
disliked Fred's cousin.
you've been 80 thick with him l
thought you'd feel sort of disgraced
-or mortified anyway. I'm thank
full I was never intimate with him
gambler, blackleg, thiefY
"What are you talking about, An
nabel?''
"Then you haven't heard-and
they trailed him here, arrested him
and took him away handcuffed-
that fine Spanish gentleman, inn