The Delta independent., 1917-04-27
PolLYAND HER POULTRY |
BY DOROTHY DOUGLASS.

had suggested to her some two years
before that she would some day be the
owner of small and profitable poultry
farm Polly would have laughed the
idea to scorn.
Il didn't reckon on my dear broth
er's health, or rather lack of health,
then" she ruminatcd. In her heart
she knew that she would have worked
her fingers to skin and bone if by so
doing she could watch the color return
Ing to Don's cheeks and the sparkle
to his eyes The color was beginning
to appear and the eyes were already
responding to her care. A healthy,
strong man was developing slowly but
surely in her brother.
IF it hadn't been for you" she said
to him, Il would never have thought
of the country and never dreamed that
l had courage and intelligence enough
to start a chicken farm. Aren't we
lucky to be SO independent" Polly
questioned while she whipped up an
egg.
"You are making a perfect baby of
me-" the brother said, as he swallowed
the egg.
You required babying for while"
Polly said; then added laughingly: LAS
soon as you are robust enough / am
going to put you on guard at night by
the henhouse. Two more of our beau
tiful six-months-old Minorcas have
been stolen from the COOP"
A crash as of smashing timber
sounded sharply from the road in
front.
She and Don rushed out and ran
quickly to the side of huge motor
that had plunged madly through the
whitewashed fence that guarded their
property.
My sister and l are not hurt" a
mans voice quickly assured her.
second later Polly stood beside
the owner of the voice. He was bend
ing sOlicitously over the most lovely
woman Polly had ever seen.
1--WE have done fearful damage to
your fence" he added and after as
certaining for certain that his sister
was not going to faint or perform any
other feminine maneuver he turned his
eyes and attention toward Polly
You must come inside a moment"
she said hastily. MY brother and
were just about to have cupful of
tea. Won't you join us?"
"We will be charmed" Adele Vim
cent said with the delightful frankness
that was a part of her nature. won't
We. brother?"
Indeed We WILL" John Vincent re-
piled with alacrity.
Polly led the way, and once inside
went quickly to Don's side.
"Our name is Vincent" her brother
said
"And ours Parker" Don returned.
1--WE will enjoy our tea far more II
you and your brother promise right
now to come up and have dinner with
us tonight. We live just ut the top
of the hill" Adele pointed out of the
window to where a rambling old man.
sion cleaned in the sunlight.
MY brother is not very strong II
make him go to bed with the chick
ems" Polly laughed and cast an affec-
tionate glance at Don. Like so many
people who possess wonderful voices
he is delicately constructed. Could
we rush OF rather early?"
"Oh!" brcathed Adele rapturously.
II have had the most glorious organ
Installed In the library. You will come
up and sing for me. won't your" She |
was all eagerness and Don flushed SEN
sitively.
"Sister Is bit daft on music" John |
Vincent told Polly. "You and 1 seem |
to be left out in the cold. However" |
he added with IA look of keen appre- |
citation at Polly Parker, II will show |
you all my patents and inventions
while they are racketing at the piano."
Polly caught the admonishing glance |
Adele sent him andlaughed quickly.
"Never mind. Mr.. Vincent" she said,
'if you can show me any patent that |
will catch chicken thief will be
hugely Interested"
In the evening Don was fastidlous
about his necktie and Polly fretted
over the lines of her old-fashioned eve
ming dress of simple muslin.
1t was at the dinner table that Polly
opened wide her eyes and laughingly
held up the drumstick OF chicken.
"Donny," she questioned. ''whose
Identification mark Is thnt?" She
laughed, but there was wonderment In
her expression. Adele Vincent and her
brother gazed inQulringly at the small
pink celluloid ring that circled the
drumstick Polly was exhibiting.
by Jove-it's one OF your six-month
Minorcas" Don exclaimed. Vincent
called the cook into the dining room.
"Ah done buy them pullets from ma
vegetable man." she told them. 81 see
that pink riitg ON the leg and done put
II back when 1t come out of the oven
Just to see what you-all thought about