Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-11-17

that out of Il playbook we had at
school. But you must tell me about
the money. I'm lIelia's guardian
angel, you know"
1--WE got what granny left me for
bein' boy. She said she'd looked for
twin gals. Nanny SO loved to con-
trary her. That's five hundred, with
interest since was born. Then there's
prizes l won with calves and pigs and
chicks and things, and for ridin' best
at the fairs, and what my two-span
fetched after | drove 'em in three
minutes. and some few more things.
| don't know Jest how much 1t all
comes to, but I'm goin' to put 1t in
the Green place the day l can" Joe
answered artlessly.
"Joe you take my breath didn't
know there was so much money in
the world, much less in the nelghbor-
hood" Polly cried But say, sonny,
put land out Of your mind There's
plenty already In the family-enough
and more If there are four brothers
to divide It, Better take the money
and so to college, I'd have tried to get
you in the notion years back IL had
dreamed you were SO well fixed"
"rhanky, maam," Joe said, out
blushlng the reddest beet. "But you
don't understand. Long as nanny
lives the land is all hers. want her
to live years and years and years
She's good to me--to all of us--but
don't sense we're grown up, She never
will, unless | break away. I want n
home"
"And little Mella in 1t, ehP" Polly
interrupted.
Joe bowed his head. IL wouldn't
swap 1t for heaven" he said IN Il
choked voice. "As long as l blde at
home in mammy's house | feel bound
to mind her, no matter what she says.
That makes me shy and backward
ganglin' too. | can't feel nor look
rightly grown up. But let me get my
feet on my own doorstep. l shan't be
'frald Of nothln' nor nobody"
you do need room to grow" Polly
said, suddenly sober. Better try col
lege rather than matrlmony. I've al
ways said an education would make II
big man of you. Why not give yourself
the chanceT
"And let some other fellow carry
off Melia? Not for this world and
two more like 1t !" Joe cried hoarsely
please, please, Polly, don't you laugh
at me. Help me-yOu always have
done it-else I'd run away two yenrs
back"
~ remember" Polly said very low
swallowing something that made her
utterance thick. "Now run along
| home and have 1t out with nanny
| Tell her Mella's worth twenty Of me
even II yon could have me"
Joe went-to fight a battle royal. !
drawn battle this first time blu
he won at the last Subtly, indirectly
Polly helped him. She was very jOl
all that summer joking with MANN
whenever they met over their join
disappointment. 1--WE never would hay
had n duh minute. It's shame l.
think of all the good fights that won
ever be fought" she mOurned, her eye
the while twinkling their wlekedest
"Really we ought to make the turtl,
doves wait until | find man brav,
enough to marry me. Simply dreadful
| TO have n chit five years younger writ
| Ing herself Mrs. so far ahead Of me.
Thus she kept all Brush Creek neigh
bOrhood in a litter and at last br0ugh
off the wedding, not I'm n blaze OF
glory but In the quiet she felt the
young couple craved.
When they were safely away on
their brief wedding journey she shut
herself In, saying with something be-
twlxt smile and yawn: my, but
| am tlredp' Alone she faced herself
In the mirror, saying with asreal smile
bltterer than tears: my happiness Is
laid burnt offering on the nltar Of
Melin. Lord send her happiness she
deserves ltl"