Polly and the Princess | Page 8

I want it, because I think it will do her good," wheedled Polly, adding tactfully, "Father says it often makes the nerves better to get the muscles tired."
"Yes, I think that myself. Of course, it would do her no real harm, if you could manage to keep her from getting wrought up and having one of her tantrums."
"Oh, I promise you I'll bring her home as good as new!" declared Polly recklessly. And with profuse thanks she darted softly away.
The four walked sedately down the long stairs in repressed glee, the three ladies waiting on the piazza while Polly registered their names, destination, time of starting, and expected return, in the daybook on the secretary's desk.
"Red tape all wound up!" she finally announced in a whisper, and the quartette proceeded to the corner below, to be in readiness for the car.
Juanita Sterling appeared to have lost her weak nerves somewhere on the way, as the four left the road behind them and made a path through the clover into the distance.
"I want to sit right down and enjoy it!" she exclaimed, dropping among the blossoms. "Hear that bird! It's a bobolink--it is! Oh, me! Oh, my! I haven't heard a bobolink for--I'm not going to bother to think how long. It is glorious!"
"This isn't anything compared to the woods and the brook," asserted Polly.
She put down her lunch-basket and snipped off some clover heads.
"Those are full of honey, Miss Nita,--taste! They aren't buggy a mite."
Like bees they sipped and sipped, and laughed and said foolish things like children at a merry-making.
Suddenly Miss Sterling sprang to her feet.
"The day is going," she cried, "and we must get there quick! Come!"
The "just a little way" of Polly's lengthened on and on until the three who were not accustomed to country fields looked in dismay toward the long line of trees which seemed so very far off.
"Are you fearfully tired?" Polly would reiterate, and "Not a bit!" Miss Sterling would lie with complacency, while Mrs. Albright grew wondrously jolly in her effort to keep everybody from realizing the truth.
When, finally, they stepped into the dim, cool wood, melodious with the gurgle and splash of hurrying water and the lilting of unseen birds, nobody remembered the hot, weary way she had come.
Miss Sterling, stretched upon a bed of vines and moss, announced that she was in "heaven."
Little Mrs. Adlerfeld looked across in answering sympathy.
"It makes me so glad and happy, it hurts," she said, her hand upon her breast.
"I knew you'd love it!" exulted Polly, dropping lightly between the two and laying a hand upon each. "Let's come out here every week!"
Nobody objected. Mrs. Albright wagged an approving smile, Mrs. Adlerfeld continued her dreamy gaze into the brook, the invalid was too drowsy to speak.
"Go to sleep, all of you!" Polly commanded gayly. "I'll have a red-and-green luncheon for you when you wake up!"
She bounded off along the slippery pine-needled path and disappeared behind a curtain of foliage.
Miss Sterling awoke with a start--where was she? Then the events of the morning flashed into view, and she smiled contentedly.
Mrs. Adlerfeld, leaning back against a stone, was peacefully nodding, and a gentle snore from the other of the trio told that Polly's order had been obeyed.
Where was Polly? Miss Sterling looked around, but she was not in sight. Even with the springing of a sudden fear she caught the sound of distant talking--a man's voice! She rose to her feet and stood irresolute, listening. Then she smiled. That was Polly's laugh' In a moment two figures rounded a clump of young pines. Juanita Sterling caught her breath--the man walking beside Polly was Mr. Randolph!
The president of the June Holiday Home found a welcoming hand as he strode up the piney path.
"Weren't you surprised. Miss Nita?" cried Polly. "He's going to have us arrested for trespassing on his land!"--with a roguish glance toward the owner.
"Then we shall have to invite him to luncheon, shan't we?" Miss Sterling's blue eyes held pleasant twinkles. "It is too pleasant to-day to go to jail!"
The gentleman chuckled.
"Oh! will you stay?" begged Polly.
"You'd better!" urged Miss Sterling. "There are Banbury turnovers and chicken sandwiches!"
"It is hard to refuse--" he began. "Oh, I knew you couldn't say no when Miss Nita asked you!" sang Polly delightedly. "Nobody can! Except Miss Sniffen!" she added conscientiously.
"Miss Sniffen" appeared to pass unnoticed. Polly suddenly remembered her handful of wintergreen sprigs and berries, and the sleepers awoke to join the merriment and the little pungent feast.
"I came up," Mr. Randolph explained, "to look over some trees that a man wants, and I rather think I ought to go directly back; but," he went on with a whimsical laugh, "I guess business won't know it if I steal this June holiday. It is a good while since I