Polly of Pebbly Pit | Page 4

remarked her mother, teasingly, as
she took a well-filled plate from the oven.
"Wh-h-y--of all things!" gasped Polly, as she read the letter quickly.
Mrs. Brewster stood waiting to hear more, and Polly gave another
hurried glance at the signature before explaining.

"It's from Anne Stewart--the girl who used to teach at Bear Forks
school that time the teacher got sick and had to leave for a few months.
You know--the pretty one with the blonde hair that all the big scholars
raved over?" announced Polly.
"Oh, yes! The one that you said was so happy to be in this wonderful
country?"
"Yes, that's the girl! Well, guess what she writes me?" And Polly
waved the written sheet above her head.
"Polly, have you been writing to her about High School?" hurriedly
asked Mrs. Brewster.
"I never thought of that! Maybe we can plan it with her," returned Polly,
her expression changing instantly to meet the new suggestion of her
mother's.
"Well, time enough to settle that question. Now tell me what she
wrote," declared Mrs. Brewster, sighing with relief.
"You'll be taken right off your feet, Maw, so you'd best sit down and
listen," advised Polly, nibbling at a biscuit while she waited for her
mother to be seated.
"Now, I don't want you to shake your head or say a word, until I'm all
through reading, Maw. It's something terribly surprising and goodness
only knows why she asked me. I was so young when she taught school
that she never noticed me much."
"Yes, you were so much younger two years ago, and you are so very
ancient now!" retorted Mrs. Brewster, trying to appear serious.
"You know what I mean--but this isn't reading you the letter and I
know just how you'll gasp when you hear her brother--listen and I'll
read it."

CHAPTER II
A MOMENTOUS LETTER
Having seen that her mother was seated and ready for the surprise,
Polly read:
"Dear Miss Polly:
"As you are fast reaching the boundary-line where girlhood and
womanhood meet, I feel I must address you with the prefix that
dignifies this stage of your life, although I seem to know you best as
the rosy-cheeked little girl whose name of 'Polly' seemed to fit her
exactly.
"Perhaps your mother will be surprised that I did not write this letter to
her, as most of it concerns her and her family directly. But I can best
explain why I am writing to you by the following:
"My brother Paul and your brother John are chums in college, you
know, and I heard quite recently that you wished to prepare for High
School in Denver this fall. When a friend in Chicago wrote me to find a
good home in the mountains near Denver where I can stay with and
tutor his daughters during the summer, I thought of the region about
Bear Forks. Having been there myself, I know how wonderful the
country and climate are.
"If your mother and yourself think well of my proposition, I know I can
help you a great deal, also, towards preparing you for High School, as I
will have to devote a short time each day this summer in keeping
Eleanor up in her studies.
"Last year Eleanor and Barbara Maynard, of Chicago, came to board
with us in Denver. These girls are acquainted with Paul and John,
through their brother who is a class-mate of the boys. The younger girl,
Eleanor, who is your age, had been very ill and the doctor ordered her
to Denver because of the wonderful air. Her sister, who is about my age,
accompanied her. The father, Mr. Maynard, engaged me to tutor

Eleanor, or Nolla we call her, during her stay in Denver, as she was
backward in lessons.
"We three became very good friends and when the girls went back to
Chicago, I missed their companionship very much. I had a letter from
the father last week, asking me to find a mountain resort for this
summer where he could send the girls, as Nolla needs the invigorating
air and simple life of the Rockies. She is organically sound but not
strong enough to stand city air and life.
"Mr. Maynard has been through the Bear Forks country and when I
wrote suggesting a ranch there, he immediately wired me to settle the
matter at once. To-day I had a letter from the mother who cannot go
with her daughters for the summer, so she asked me to go with them,
more as a friend and adviser than as a tutor. My expenses will be paid,
and my salary for tutoring Nolla will be a blessing to help Paul through
his third year's term of the college course.
"I know your brother is away with Tom Latimer on some