The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-30
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A Novel!
A Week!

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3 . 3 3 3 3 D 3 3 3
CHAPTER II.


CHAPTER II.
For a week the eonyaleEcent ward
laughed and sang and almost for
got that Il was a part OF the bic
House ~ Suffering. Polly herself
beamed on everybody. and all tho
hospital people seemed 10 agree
that very good fortune had come
10 her. and TO bo glad In Il.
Then there came hot day which
tried the patience OF the small In
vaiids. Polly fitted from cot TO cot
with her little fluttering fan and
cooling drinks. The afternoon
breeze had not yet arrived when
Brida MaeCsrthy begged for a
story.
Just then Miss Lucy was called
away. She put Polly In charge OF
the ward. saying that she would be
back soon. hut tho first story was
finished. and several others told,
and stlll Miss Lucy did not come.
The children were growing rest
less and Polly wasSalmost at hor
Wits end when Miss Hortensia
Prico appeared at the door. walked
over TO Miss Lucy's dcsk and
picked up tho medicine chart.
Tho childrcn'n hearts sank. She
had como TO stay,
II was about this time In the
afternoon that Mr.. Dudley usually
sent for Polly 20 come 10 his office
for u little while. When the sum
mons came today she ran with even
more than her usual eagerness
Tho Doctor was sitting In his big
chair by the window. lilo looked
tired. but he smiled and held out
/ his hand TO his little "Thistledown."
She slipped into her fayoriie posi-
ton. atilt on It's arm. and leaned
confidingly against him. Then she
told the story ~ the afternoon and
OF the coming OF High Price"
How soon do YOU think Miss
Lucy'll come hackf Wher. r. she
now" Polly asked.
Z "Sho has been assigned TO one of
the womcn's wards. II IL uncertain
when she will be changed again. ="
We'll. s'pose well have 10
stand H." sighed Polly phllosoph'
I ically.
\ They talked a little longer about
other things. then DIR. Dudley
said:
4 must so. Cone. Polly" and
led her away.
There Is boy upstairs who Is
getting discouraged" the Doctor
continued. as they went thru the
hall. hand In hand. "and I think.
perhaps. you can cheer him up a
little"
lis he a big boy or a little
boy ?" asked Polly anxixously.
4 should say about six months
bigger than sou" the Doctor
laughed. 'He isn't ans body you
will he afraid OF, This,ledown.
but he II very nice boy. His
mother Is Just recovering from a
severe illness. 30 she hasn't been
able 10 come 10 SEQ him yet. and
he feels pretty ionely."
Il wish he we're down In our
ward" returned Polly. that is.'
she amended. 'it Miss Lucy we're
ohiy there"
Il shall have him transferred
as soou as he Is well enough.
tho Doctor assured her. And then
they were at the entrance of the
ehildren's ward.
Away 10 the farther end OF ths
room Dr. Dudley went. and Polly
I, followed. Some OF the patients
looked curionsiy at her a. she
passed, for the news OF her re
cent accession TO tho staff had
spread thru the hospital. and near
~ everybody was eager for sight
OF her.
Polly was thinking only OF the
boy whom she had come to aee
and when. AT last. the Doctor stop
ped and turned toward her. she
glanced shyiy al the lad on the
pillow.
David" began Dudley. this T.
Miss Polly May. the story.tclier oil
the eonyalescent ward And. Polly
allow me 10 present Master David
Collins. who had n race. a week OF
two ago. with runaway horse
and who was foolish enough 10 let
the horse beat"
The Doctors eyes were twin
kllng. and Polly let 90 n giggle:
so the boy ventured 10 laugh. A
weak. little laugh IL was: but I,
was Just what Or. Dudley wanted
you can have exactly IA min
utes TO do all your talking in,v was
the physicians parting sally: so
you'd better hurry"
Polly didn't quite know how to
begin 10 cheer the lad up After
all. IL was David that was first 10
speak.
DO you like stories7" he asked
"Oh. Just love them"
so do I. You must know a