Daily picayune., 1921-03-15

efficacious in Johns case than any love philter, she would have fallen on her aunt's neck and blessed her. That something was an ouija board.
 When John received from Polly the invitation to supper he had half a mind to refuse.
 'Fll initiate you into the mysteries of the ouija board" she promised. Aunt and I work at 1t every eve. hing. And every single thing 1t says is true!" she added solemnly
 Ordinarily John had three hours at supper time when neither north nor south bound train was due at the crossing. On the very night of Pol ly's invitation, however. he was mo- tified by the dispatcher at the junction to throw the switch for freight.
 Throughout the meal, delicious evi- dence of Polly's ability to cook, he kept his brain working at the words, even as he praised with masculine ap- preciation 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 parlor and entertain MT. Peters" And Polly, after one dutiful but weak protest, obeyed.
 Lets get out the ouiia board" she suggested. You ask it the first ques- ton and see what happens"
 So John. thinking how rretty Polly's pink cheeks were, wanted to know If 1t 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--maryelous re- sponse. Then Polly, her color deep- ening 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 ouija bOard-up to?
 Slowly the letters spelled out into a word:
 "A s-w-i-t-c-h-m-s
 John sprang up as if shot. Down clattered the board and planchette Seizing his cane, the man leaped to the front door, opened 1t and was gone Polly, thunderstruck, stood where she had risen, her cheeks drained of their rosiness What was 1t? It couldn't below silly of her even to think of 1t. John wouldn't leave like that just because he thought he was be- ing proposed to. But there was some thing wrong.
 Quickly she went out to the little porch. Far down the hill sounded the tap-tap of Johns cane and his swift footballs. There was another sound-slow, monctonous. rumbllng- then whistle for the Crossing.
 She must find out if he got there in time. Hatless. coatless, she ran down the ntli, Oniy tO meet JOHn, breathing heavily, on the way back.
 "Were you in timer" she cried.
 "Thank heaven, yes!" he answered. Then. "Polly." he demanded quickly, "what was that answer going to ber
 Polly gulped down little sob. "C- can't you guessw she asked.
 "A switchman?" he said slowly. Me?" And as Polly was silent he con- tinued, wonderingly: "Would you marry cripple?"
 "I wouldn't call any man a cripple that could get down the hill like that!" flashed Polly.
 With happy sigh John yielded to temptation. "I have wanted you so, Polly. dear" he whispered.
 Isn't the ouija board wonderful?" said Polly minute later from the depth of Johns shoulder.
 John patted her head lovingly. -Well. 1t couldn't do much more for q man than save his reputation and give him his best girl. now could itf' he said.
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