Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-13

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corner OF the baiustrade. ike some
nyrnph Of the moonlight, the slim,
graceful figure of girl in white,
C!irging raperies. whose cluster
ing masses OF dark hair crowned
face that in the soft light Was
amazingly beautiful. And he caught
his breath as he gazed. And the
girl, with a low cry, stood still
and then came running toward him
oh. Guardy. Guardy. Guardy!
she cried. 4 knew you'd come.
knew 70"
/, was Polly's voice. II hadn't
changed. Was the nymph Polly?
She was running with both hands
outstretched. He caught them In
his own as she came up 10 him,
and stared into her face almost IN
helevirgiy. Polly, This wasn't
Iouy. Polly's photographs were o
i very pretty girl--th!s girl was
glorious, She stirred the pulses.
Damn il, she made the blood leap.
She hung back now little shyly
the color coming and going in her
face.
lie laughed. He meant 1t TO be
laugh OF one entirely in command
both Of himself and the situation;
bat It sounded in his ears as
fort TO cover a suddenly routed
composure.
And Is this all the welcome I
get?" he demanded. He drew her
closer to him. Cad. why not. take
his rights? She was worth Il,
She seld up her cheek demureiy.
II wasn't quite sure" she said
coyly. ones department with
ones guardian wasn't in the school
curriculum. YOU know-Guardy.
Then 1 should have been more
particular in my selection OF the
school," he said. II was strange,
to rasp. He kissed her-then held
her or at arms -length. Polly.
This bewitching creature was Polly.
How the color came and fled; and
something glistened in the great,
dark eyes-like the dew glistening
in the morning sunlight.
"Oh. Guardy!" she murmured.
IT'S so good to see you"
You waited up for me, Polly?" he
asked.
Yes" she answered. Dora was
sure you wouldn't come tonight be-
cause it was so late. and on account
OF its being low tide; but 1 was
equally sure you would"
VI COuIoCB hpuId. Sdlu Zap
tain Francis Newcombe glibly.
And I'm here. We're Just in. [
was afraid it was hopelessiy late;
tut / didn't want to dsappoint you
in case you might still be clinging
to what must have seemed forlorn
hope. and so l came ashore on the
chance"
"Guardy." she said delightedly,
you're the only guardy in the
world! But what happened? You
were to have left the mainland to-
day, and it's only five hours across"
QUIZ have to ask Locke" he
smiled. That is, as to details
when he's in a better humor. In
general way, however. the engine
broke down. We've been since one
clock this afternoon getting over"
on" she exclaimed. What per-
fcctly wretched luck! And where's
you must tell me About mother ,''I Is
she changed any? Is she well, and
quite, quite happy? And does she
like her home? Is 1t pretty? And
how"
. Good heavens. Polly" ex-
postulated Captain Francis New
combe with assumed helplessneSs.
What a volley!" But his mind was
at work swiftly. coldly. judicially.
TO preface lis visit with tho an
nouncement of Mrs. Wickes' ul.-
timely-or was it timely ?-cl.d
would not A. all hlrmonize VITA
his plans. Polly in mourning and
retirement. Locke! Impossible.
Ncr did it suit him to explain that
Mrs. Wickes was not her motrer
He was not vet sure when that
particular piece OF information
might best be used to advantage.
And so Captain Francis Newcombe
laughed disengagingly. Il can't
possibly answer all those questions
tonight-wed be here until daylight.
The mothers quite all right, Polly
- quite all right. You can pump
me dry tomorrow
ooh. I'm so glad-and so happy"
she cried. She clappcd her hands
together. "All right, tomorrow!
Wen talk all day long. Well. then.
about Mr.. Locke-where Is he? And
how did YOU come to make such a
trip" You know. you just wrote
that YOU were coming down from
New York on his yacht. Who Is
he? Tell ME about him"
That's something else for to-
morrow" he said. You'll meet him
then. and'-what was it he had
said to himself a little while ago
about slight obstacles in the way OF
turtle doves Il hope you'll like
him, though I've an idea that per-
haps YOU won't
Why won't II" demanded Polly
instantly.
We'll. don't know-upon NV
word. l don't" said Captain Francis
Newcombe with a quizzical grin.
He certainly isn't strilIingly hand
some; and I've an idea he's any,
thing but ladies' man-though not
altogether a bad sort in spite of
that, YOU know"
oh" said Polly Wickes. with q
little pout that might have meant
anything. We'll. who ia he, then
and where did you meet him."
1 met him at the club in London.
and We chummed up on the wav
over. It's quite simple. He was or
Tor holiday with no choice as to
where he went. whereas | wanted tn
come here--so we came down in his
motor cruiser As 10 who he IL
he's just young Howard Locke, the
son OF Howard Locke. senior, the
American findncier."
Oh said Polly Wickes again
what a ravishing little pout,
Where had the girl learned thai
trick? Was II a trick Those ewes
were wonderfully frank. steady. in
genuous-wonderfully deep and self
iehant, He wondered If he looked
old in those eyes? Young I,ockc'
Fool again!
Go on. tempt the gods. Ask her ~
thirty-three fell within her own
category OF youth. or
Don't make a sound" she cam
TONED suddenly. Quick, Here"
He found himself. obedient to the