The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-03-08

was to soOthe her anxiety that she
did these things, and to fill the
days of restless waiting.
When the house stood shining
and spotless and she could think
of nothing more to do to It, foliy
bought length of calico print 10
make herself a new trock. She
looked longingly at some India
muslin displayed in Mr.. PelIS
store; but now that these were no
longer being imported from Eng
land, they were too dear for ordi-
nary people to buy. The CALICO
will do very WELL" she told the
clerk. Now show me some but
tons to trim it in, and some white
stuff for a baby'S dress.
Mrs. Pell came sweeping
through the store presently and
paused at the counter. Because
She wished to have further con,
vcrsation with Polly she decided
to forgive her for that outburSt
thew both remembered so well.
She inquired now: Are you buy
ing stuff to make little Richard
dress, Polly?"
yes" replied Polly. Then she
added triumphantly, For myself
too! My husbands coming home
| look for him any day now"
Mrs. Pell looked attentive and
chewed her under lip. as he IN
the navy, did you say"
"No. He carries papers Tor
privateer sailing" e.
"HiS own" the question was
intended merely as humiliation
"He's been on a friends prlva-
teer," Polly answered, but he's
leaving that now. l don't know
what ship he plans to come to
LYME on, but Pvc had definite
word that he's coming" She
turned her back pointedly on Mrs.
pell and went on with her shop
ping. foolish Polly! Forever rll-
ling that small-souled, cruel wom-
an who has it in her power TO
hurt YOU'D
It seemed to Polly thalt she
must hurry through her sewing
with frantic speed. But when her
dress was complete to the last
hutton and when little Richards
was finished as well, as she saw
that she had been too hasty. She
found herself with time on her
hands each day when the house
work was done. Small Richard
was a good baby, not troublesome.
He preferred to be let alone.
Polly fell into the way of leaving
him with his grandfather while
she went down to the river and
looked toward the Sound to see If
a strange sail might be coming in.
One day she recalled queer
old woman of her childhood who
had gone to the harbor every day
to look for her lover who had
been lost at sea 40 years before.
And when Polly remembered this
mad old woman she stopped gong
to the harbor and began busily
putting up pear preserves instead
She felt now that misfortune
had surely overtaken Jerry, for II
had been two months since "a
bells letter. Ships were getting
into New England harbors Win
very little trouble. :. No, ne was
not coming now. This fact Poly,
sensed and accepted. She LAID
away the calico print WIN !ne
gay buttons down its tight-1ltLlngg
waist. She talked less and laugnefui
not at all. Not even Mrs. felI
dared accost her when they met
on the street. so still ;lnad brood
ing was her face. / ho,.
Polly believed, this to be her
wear of widowhood and she con
dncted herself accordingly, Yet to
Trepid and Dick she was gentle
and considerate, and hte. went on
with courage and dignity in the
shabby, spotlcss little house,
Often at night Polly would read
Jorry's ietter-her one love let
terEbeforc she blew out her can
Jja It's edges were becoming
f frayed. 81 must learn to live for
tho other three" she told her.
self In a few months she would
" AZ sewing circle Mrs, Pell re-
,,,arked with narrowed eyes: "The
rLole things a hoax. It's obvious
she never had a husband. A
fine comedown for a good old
familvr Mrs. Pell had never
liked Polly's gentle London mo-
tber from the day she stepped off
Trepid Chelsey'S ship, and so it
was easy to dislike the daughter.
ITO be concluded)
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