The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-15
Euening Story
Polly and Ouija Board.
BY H. LEWIS RAYBOLD.

attached, but it afforded him too fire.
quentiy the sight of Polly Carr, who
lived in the little red house at the top
of the hill.
Not that Polly was disagreeable to
look upon. Quite the contrary. Any
girl is pleasant to see whose eyes
sparkle with the joy of living, whose
curving mouth turns upward at the
corners and in whose cheeks shines
the glow of health and youths But
when John hurt his foot he gave up
the thought of Polly. Ask girl to
marry a cripple, with nothing better
than the job of tagging trains? Well
he should say not. And Polly, who
had been all on tip-toe for the ques-
ton to which she could SO truthfully
say yes" was left to wonder If she
had been mistaken in thinking he
cared.
Now Polly, otherwise eminently SEN
sible, was the most supersttious little
body imaginable. She tapped on
wood. She backed out of the house in
order 10 get the first proper view of
the moon, she shivered with appre-
hepsion when her neighbours black
Tommy crossed her path, and If the
store had only carried love phllters
in stock, Polly would have bought one
long ago AS it was, she was aware
of no means of inspiring love in a man
who didn't feel any or causing him to
declare it il he did,
Then one bright May morning the
northbound train slowed down and
stopped at the crossing. Out stepped
Pollys up-country aunt with umpreild
and travelling bag.
Polly was glad to see her aunt, part
Ily because she was fond of her. and
very great deal because now 1t would
be quite all right to invite John. Peters
to supper. If she had known that
Aunt Susan carried in her bag some
thing which would prove more eff
cacious in Johns case than any love
philter she would have fallen on her
aunt's neck and blessed her. That
something was a ouija board
When John received from Poly the
invitation to supper he had half a.
rojrd 10 refuse. It was going to be
difficult for him to be with her Tor
several hours. realizing her desirabii-
itv and his own hard luck. Yet some
usefulness of tone or glance mace
him yield and accept.
.sI'n initiate you into the mysteries
Of the ouija board,'s she promised
..Aunt and I work with it every even
ing. And every single thing it says Is
true!' she added solemnly
Ordinarily John had three hours at
suppertime when neither north nor
southbound train was due at TUE cross
ing. On the very night of Polly's IN
yitation. however, he was not fled by
the dispatcher at the Junction to throw
the switch for a freight which would
show up shortly before the express AS
he limped slowly up the hill to the req
house at the top he repeated over 9nd
over to himself. Switch the freight
switch the freight"
Turnout the meal. delicious evil
dence of Pollys ability to cook. he
kept his brain working at the words,
even as he praised with masculine APP
probation the featherweight biscuits,
steak done exactly right, and flakY pie.
After supper Aunt Susan gave Polly
little push. I'm going to wash up,
child. You run along in the parior
and entertain Mr.. Peters" And Polly,
after one dutiful but weak protest,
obeyed.
:. Lets get ont the ouija board" she
suggested. You ask It the first ques-
ton and see what happens!"
So John. thinking how pretty
PoIly's pink cheeks were. wanted to
know il it would rain in the morning
Heads close together. fingers resting
lightly on the triangular bit of wood,
they waited for the ouija spirit to
start working. Polly pouted when
John didn't seem impressed at the
vaguely indefinite reply OF Maybe.
Question followed question, turn and
turn about, with more-or less
marvellous response. Then Polly. her
color deepening a. bit, inquired if she
would ever marry.
"Some day" came the answer.
"Who?" dared Polly.
John, his fingers trembling in spite
of himself, awaited the answer with
trepidation. What was Polly-or the
oujia board-up to?
Slowly the letters spelled out into
word:
"A s-w-i-t-c-h-n@
John sprang up as if shot. Down
clattered the board and planchette-
Selling his cane, the man leaped to the
front door, opened it, and was gone.
Polly, thunderstruck, stood where she
had risen. her cheeks drained Of their
rosiness. What was it, 1t couldn't
below silly OF her even to think of
e. John wouldn't leave like that just
because he thought he was being pro
posed to. But there was something
wrong.
Quickly she went out TO the little
porch. Far. far down the hill sounded
the tap-tap of Johns cane and his
swift footballs. There was another
sound-slow. monotonous, rumbling-i
then a whistle for the crossing. But
there was no train due nowi Sud
denly thru Polly's mind flashed the
reason for Johns hasty exit. He had
been told to switch that tra.ni And
the words on the ouija board had been
his reminder.
She must find out if he got there in
time. Hatless. coatless. she ran down
the hill. only to meet John, breathing
heavily, on the way back.
Were you in tirne?"- she cried.
Thank heaven, yes!" he answered.
Then. "Poll,-," he demanded quickly.
what was that answer going to be?"
Polly gulped down a little sob. &C
can't you guess?" she asked.
"A switchman?" he said slowly.
Me-" And as Polly was silent he
continued, wonderingly, Would you
marry a cripple?"
I wouldn't call any man a cripple
that could get down the hill like that"
flashed Polly. J
With a happy sigh John yielded to
temptation. Il have wanted You so,
Polly dear" he whispered.
isn't the ouija board wonderful /
said Polly a minute later from the /
depth of Johns shoulder.
John matted her head oil