Baxter Springs news., 1917-11-08
|P0llsANDHERPDUITRl
sy DOROTHY DOUGLASS.

fOlly glanced wonderinBIy out OF her
easement window at her beautifully
equipped poultry run with its dozens
Of well-cared-for chickens. II anyone
had suggested 10 her some two years
before that she would some day bo the
owner Of small and profitable poultry
farm Polly would have laughed the
idea to scorn.
II didn't reckon on my dear broth
er's health, or rather lack Of health.
then" she ruminated. In her heart
she knew that she would have worked
her fingers to akin and bone II BY 20
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.
'n II hadn't been for you" she said
TO him, II would never have thought
Of the country and never dreamed that
had courage and intelligence enough
10 start a chicken farm. Aren't we
lucky to be 90 independent" Polly
questioned while she whipped up an
egg.
~You are making q perfect baby Of
me-" the brother said, a. he swallowed
the EGG.
''You required babying for a WHILE"
Polly said; then added laughingly: "As
soon as You are robust enough I am
going to put you on guard at night by
the henhOuse. Two more Of our beau
tiful slx-months-old Minorcas have
been stolen from the COOP"
A crash az Of smashing timber
sounded sharply from the road In
front.
She and Don rushed out and ran
quickly to the side Of q huge motor
that had plunged madly through the
whltewashed fence that guarded their
property.
my sister and I are not hurt" q
mans voice quickly assured her.
A second later Polly stood beside
the owner Of the voice. He was bend
Ing sollcitously over the most lovely
woman Polly had ever seen.
Eve have done fearful damage to
yOur fence" he added; and after az
certalning for certain that his sister
was not going to faint or perform any
other feminine maneuver he turned his
eyes and attention toward Polly.
"XOu must come inside O moment"
she said hastily. my brother and !
were Just about to have q cupful Of
tea. Won't You Join usr'
''We viii be charmed" Adele Vim
cent said with the delightful frankness
that was q part Of her nature. wont
we, brotherf"
'Indeed we WILL" John Vincent re-
piled with alacrity.
Polly led the way, and once inside
went quickly to Don's side.
"Our name n Vincent" her brother
said.
"And ours Parker" Don returned.
e "We will enjoy our tea far more II
you and your brother promise right
now to come up and have dinner with
M tonight. We live just at the top
Of the hill" Adele pointed out Of the
window to where q rambling old man.
sion cleaned In the sunlight.
'My brother II not very strong. ]
make him 60 to bed with the chick
ems" Polly laughed and cast an afrec.
tionato glance at Don. 'Lake 20 many
people who possess wonderful voices
ho u delicately constructed. Could
we rush or rather earlyr
''OhI" breathed Adele rapturously,
II have had the most glorious organ
installed in the library. You win come
up and Sing for me, won't your She
was all eagerness and Don flushed Sen
Gitively.
'SIster IL O bit daft on music" John
Vincent told Polly. "YOu and ! seem
to be left out In the cold. However"
he added with q look Of keen appre-
citation at Polly Parker. II win show
You all my patents and inventions
while they are racketing at the piano"
Polly caught the admonishing glance
Adele sent him and laughed quickly.
''Nevef mind, Mr.. Vincent" she said,
'if yOu can show me any patent that
win catch q chicken thief I will be
hugely interested"
In the evening Don was fastidl0us
about his necktie and Polly fretted
over the lines Of her 0ld-fashioned eve.
Ming dress Of simple muslin.
L was at the dinner table that Polly
opened wide her eyes and laughlngly
held ND the drumstick Of q chicken.
'Donny" she questioned, whose
Identification mark 10 thatr She
laughed, but there was wOnderment In
her oppression. Adele Vincent and her
brother gazed inquiringiy at the small
pink eellulold ring that circlod the
drumsaek Polly was exhibiting.
'By JOvs-les one Of your 1ix-mOnth
lEInorcasr Don exclaimed. Vincent
called the cook into the dining room. |
sAh done buy them pulletS from ma
vegetable man" ahs told them. Il zee
that pink riIng on the leg and done put
h hack when e come ont Of the oven |
Bust TO SsO what yOu-aIl thought about
e"
THAT vegstablo man, Martha, is .
lehfe1,en thiOf and has been rObblng |