Evening star., 1926-03-14

but even so, think she ought to be
able to get about on crutches now. It's
almost as though she didn't want to
get up
Mrs. kendrick frowned. "She's been
so crazy to be out again! And with
the dance coming in a week, too! or
course every one has been awfully
nice TO her, but lying fiat on ones
back for three weeks-do you think
we'd better nave an Xray?"
Every one had been awfully nice to
Polly, even as her mother said, but
lying fiat on ones back for three
weeks-Polly had plenty OF time to
consider things.
She couldn't doubt, even in the dark
est moments. that Alan Nelson was
ly-well-interested in her. No
young man spends a considerable por-
ton of every day at the bed
side of an unrelated person unless
that invalid at least interests him.
There had been moments during this
third exquisite week when Polly had
felt that his feeling for her was even
more than interest. No. she really
could not doubt that-but. being in
love, she naturally had to doubt some
thing. So, in those long hours when
she lay alone staring up at the cell
ing of the old nursery a dinerent
doubt grew steadily in size and mag
nitude.
Alan Nelson would not feel the same
toward her when he found out how
outra geously tall she was. lie would
be disappointed, perhaps shocKeo:
even. He had--well, she might as wen
sav it.-fallen in love with a pretty
face. But when he saw that pretty
face perched high at the top OF nVe
feet eleven inches of girl-Polly ma
the pretty face in her pillow ana IN
dulged In deep misery.
said to her four days before Fran
knights dance. I'm going home In
less than a week. and" He hesi.
tated and suddenly. Unexpectedly
seized her hand and kissed IT.
"Oh. no-you mustn't" cried Polly
pulling 1t away. >,
"Whv not? Oh, Polly.
mo-" polly said frantically;; on;
,f this kept up. she'd have to tell MN
And II can't tell YOU" she "alieo
He sat up quickly and s.areo cow"
"Please don't ask me. Alan.
This. then, settled it. Paula Ken.
dricL would never rise from her
couch until Alan had left MillorooK
hehind him, Left it carrying away
a dream Of a blue-eyed girl whose pre-
t,nass was unsmirched by any enor'
nous height. .s,,
Polly. He says If you'd start WIZ, WIN
YOUR crutches now we mignt DC . aoae
to carry you over to the dance. JUS
to be there, Polly. Won't you try-
now III put my arm arounu SoN
A "oh, no Oh, Alan--I wish you'd
~ Alan Nelson stood up and looked
at her with troubled eyes. PONY,
I wish you'd tell me If there's any
He hesitated, checked by the alarm
IN her face. 1--WE got to go nome
next week. Polly. But l can come
' mo. You mustn't ever come back
Please, Alan--
She didn't want him ever 10 CONE ie
hack, OF course she didn't! rms
World he the one perfect month OF
her life a precious month. to be al
u,avs cherished-a month In whlcn d
man had felt toward her as men teei
toward very little women-tenoer anu
dominant and protective
ooh. Alanv' Polly murmured, heart'
| broken-but she didn't murmur IL
until after he was gone.
mt II wasn't to be such hawlessiy
hanpy month after all. Not all OF II.
The four days before Fran's oahce
were miserable days-miseraoie "hen
Alan was with her, LOOKING at ne.
with those troubled, questioning eyes
/ and even more miserable when she
was alone.
THE night of the dance came. dark
ening the end of an afternoon
during which she and Alan had played
chess moodily and silently. Bill and
wally had promised to bring home
O. crowd after the party for supper
In Pollys room, and unenthusiasti. A
| cally Polly let her mother arrange tne
FOLDS of a new white neglige; watched
| her prepare the room with no"ers
| and candles.
Don't you want to try to SIT up
tonight, Polly?" she asked casually
Polly shook her head languldiy
| mo, mother"
Mrs Kendrick bent her head over
the supper table. AS the days slipped
bv her alarm was increasing. IN an
, other week, she had announced to nef
husband that morning, SHc WdS gums
| to call in a specialist.
The house rang with noise while
! Bill and Wally prepared for the dance
grew depressingly quiet after their
departure. Polly lay on her cough
and thought miserably of the great
| room at the knights, Of the music
the girls in evening dresses and satin
slippers-satin slippers with high
curving heels!
Mrs. Kendrick opened the door OF
the room.
"Alan's here, Polly" She adjusted
her daughters pillows, pulled up q
chair for Alan. Poor little baby
girl"'
Polly's eyes smarted suddenly as her
mother leaned over to kiss her.
"On; mother
If Alan had not entered the room
then, she would have told her mother.
Mrs. Kendrick always understood,
somehow.
Alan sat down quietly and was 81.
lent for a moment, while Polly looked
at him unhappily.
II don't want to go to the darned
dance, Polly" he said moodily. ''I've
- got to go back some time, ] s'pose
But sha'n't until the very end. And