The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-09
CHAPTER XXVIII


 Sharp-tongued Amanda Pell, who was the villages most influential woman, knocked determinedly at the little house with the overhanging second story was badly in need of paint.
 When the door was opened by the limping boy, Dick, Mrs. Pell said with condescenSion, I've come to see Polly's new baby"
 Dick Chelsey drowned. He had Polly's handsome clear-cut fea- lures, but his eyes were dark and breeding where Polly's were blue and open. His shy sensitive man. ner made him seem younger than his sister, though he was two years her senior. Dick disliked Mrs. Pell and mistrusted her, for she had been unkind to Polly, but he could think of no way of keeping the woman out of the house.
 Mrs. Pell, admitted, went quick ly up the narrow winding stairs and entered the neat low-ceiled room that was Polly's chamber.
 Polly lay in maple bed, look ing pale but triumphant. She wore a linen night dress trimmed with ruffles and she was covered over with white and yellow quilt In the primrose pattern. She looked, in fact, much too gay and happy to suit Mrs. Pell.
 "You've come to see the baby, Polly said. She thought in flash how Mrs. Pell resembled Oliver Darts Mrs. Broggs, only she was not SO kind and amiable. "The baby's in tn cradle, Mrs. Pel. Lift the blanket and look at him."
 Mrs. Pell lifted and looked. She saw sleeping infant with we'll formed head and sturdy body. "Hm-m," she said, and sighed gustily.
 Mrs. Taylor, the midwife, en- tered on some errand and spoke deferentially to the caller. Mrs. Pell's husband owned a thriving lumber mill and large local store, and Mrs. Taylor had an overdue account at the latter. So had many people in the village. The past year had been a hard o,le, with the war and all Fire wood had gone up scanalouSly and food was dear. If a woman dared to buy pattern of dress goods or a new bonnet she gener- ally had to charge it and save silver coins against the day ot paying for it.
 "You're looking well, Mrs Pell said Mrs. Taylor. That maroon color becomes you"
 "The bolt was bought for me, replied Mrs. Pell complacently' what have you named your baby Polly?"
 "Richard Jeremiah"
 "Richard Jeremiah Chelsey," re- peated Mrs. Pell, as if considering the euphony of the words.
 Polly flushed. Richard Jeremiah WHITFIELD, Mrs. Pell."
 "Oh. yes Have you heard from your husband, Polly?"
 "No, Mrs. Pell. It's as I told you last week. There's no post lines on the Atlantic Ocean"
 But ships do get into port, Mrs. Pell ruminated. Charity Parker had letter from her hus-- band yesterday. He'd posted 1t when his ship touched ProVl- dence."
 "Oh, did she have letter." ex- claimed Polly, wistful and oil her guard. ,,.,
 "Yes, she did. And Susan Will Hams has heard from her son three times the past winer. Hes a great writer, Silas is, and It looks like he's always looking out for a way to get a letter to his mother. Silas gave the last one to one of the Allen boys to deliver for him"
 "Well, everybody can't be so lucky" Polly answered defensive. ly. "After all, it's just chance II YOU find a wounded sailor bound for Lyme"
 Mrs. Pell chewed her under lip thoughtfully. T was talking to Liza Ann Williams yesterday. She said she'd never heard of Amer