Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-10

grasses and Hawthorne swore softly under
his breath. The chicken flew madly out of
his slackened clutch and the pink one
opened startled eyes that were smiling with
recent dreams.
Hawthorne's conversational ability was
lost somewhere in the blue depths of her
eyes. He only stood and stared down at
her. IL all mentally unbalanced persons were
so lovely to look upon as Polly Perkins
Hawthorne hoped he would meet many of
that variety on his life's path.
You've no right to be snoring in that
wet grass" he said-that happened TO be
the only thought he seemed able to give
voice to.
II was not snoring, and the grass is
as dry as a bone" the girl said with as
perity. She had arisen to sitting posture
and was endeavorng to coax back the
frightened chicken. 'I don't know why
all men think that every blade of grass
IN the universe. is continually wet anyway
Men creatures invariably think of sneez-
Ing and rheumatism instead of electricity
and renewed life coming out of the grass"
She had got the chicken back by con-
tinsied coaxing the while she was address,
ing her remarks> to Hawthorne and was
petting 1t with two charmingly white hands.
Hawthorne found himself wishing himself
the pet chicken of an eccentric writer uer-
son whose mania was an overfondness for
pink.
Are you Miss Polly Perkins? ?" he asked
when her wide-open eyes again roamed to-
ward his face. He wanted to make sure of
her identity.
Yes 1 am" she said "Is there ahy-
thing else you would like to know, Rude
PERSON." she inquired with a peculiarly dis
concertlng frankness.
Hawthorne stiffened perceptibIy; then.
remembering Miss Perkins's mental con-
dition, smiled in what he supposed to be a
most compassionate manner.
To Polly Perkins the smile was an odd
mixture of damaged pride and a desire 10
hide the same by forced amusement. She
In turn cast quizzical look into Haw-
thornes glowering eyes and burst into a
peal of laughter.
you know" she informed him. "I am
not the Miss Polly Perkins you think
am. am her niece" With that she
turned swiftly on her heels and left Bob
Hawthorne standing beside the pink
chicken coop. He smiled as he went hack
toward JimmysRogers's garden and realized
that his holidays were going to be more
interesting than he had expected.
You know" she confded to him two
nights later when they left the clubhouse
afeer most delightful tango evening, "I
have dreadful confession to make" since
Bob's eyes were anything but fear insniring
Polly continued: II saw you that dav In Ms
Rogerss garden and sneaked down to Aunt
Polys chicken coop and deliberately nut
that bird over the fence SO that you might
see it," e"'
And?' questioned Hawthorne, beginning
to see things as they really were and ais
ways would be where Polly was concerneG
we'll felt that you were trifie bored
lying In that hammock. and that ANYTHING
In the way of diversion would appeal to
you" ~
But what about yourself?" questioned
Hawthorne eagerly.
Il had seen you through my opera glasses
from Aunt Polly's attic window" Confessed
Polly unblushingly land I rather liked ths
form OF diversion from my own ennui."
Are you engagedf" asked Bob bluntiy
"No-Rude Person" laughed Polly.
Then prepare for the worst SOON sa,d
Bob, POSSESSING himself Of the slim anrers
tnet he had vetched jealousiy caressinx The