Princess Pollys Gay Winter | Page 4

she said.
A light tap at the door, made her turn, and she hastened to open the
screen door, that Rose might enter.
"The fine house, and fine friends don't make you forget your Aunt
Judith, dear," she said.
"Oh, I'll never forget you," Rose said, "and I'll come to see you now I'm
to live so near. To-day I'll sit beside you while you sew. I'll sit in the
little chair that was always mine."
"It is yours now, dear, and, whenever you come, I'll 'play,' as you and
Polly say, I'll 'play' that you are once more living here at the cottage."
There was news to be told. Uncle John was to have a fine conservatory
built, and later it would be stocked with beautiful flowering plants.
Lena Lindsey was to give a fine party some time during the Winter, and
Leslie Grafton, and her brother Harry had already hinted that there
would be gaiety at their home.
Mrs. Sherwood always gave some sort of party for Princess Polly, and
surely everyone remembered her beautiful party of the Winter before.
All these things she told Aunt Judith.
"And Uncle John says he will not permit his neighbors to do all the
entertaining, and when he says that he laughs," said Rose.

Aunt Judith stopped rocking and sat very straight.
"And I shall entertain in a small way myself," she said.
"Oh, Aunt Judith!" cried Rose, her surprise making her eyes round, and
bright.
"The wee party that I shall give will be in honor of my little niece,
Rose."
Rose laid her warm hand on Aunt Judith's arm.
"How good you are," she said. "And I'll come over the day of the party,
and help you get ready. I'll love to. 'Twill be half the fun. Oh, Aunt
Judith, please tell me what the dear little party is to be like."
"Like a party that I once enjoyed when I was little," Aunt Judith said.
"I remember it as perfectly as if it had occurred yesterday. To repeat it
now will be a quaint delight. I'll not tell you all about it yet, but when
my plans are made, you shall come over here to the cottage, and I'll tell
you every detail. I believe the tiny party will do me good. I shall feel
once more like the little lass that I was when I received the invitation,
and then a week later, dressed in my best, went to my friend's house.
There were twelve guests, and I shall have just twelve at my party."
CHAPTER II
THE SEA NYMPH
Little Sprite Seaford sat in the first car of the long train, her eyes bright
with excitement, a tear on her cheek, and her red lips quivering.
One little hand nervously clutched her handkerchief, while the other
grasped the handles of her very new suitcase.
She had wound her pretty arms tightly around her mother's neck, kissed
her, oh, so many times, and then, lest her courage fail her, had turned

and fled from the house, where on the beach, she clung to her father's
hand, and silently walked toward the station.
She felt that if she tried to talk she would surely cry, but why was the
sturdy captain so silent? Did he feel, as his little daughter did, that
safety lay in silence? Did he fear to speak lest the tears might come? It
had been decided that Sprite should accept Mr. Sherwood's invitation,
and spend the Winter at Avondale, enjoying the early Winter months at
Sherwood Hall, and the latter part of the season as the guest of Uncle
John Atherton and his little niece, Rose.
She had enjoyed the planning of her modest little wardrobe, she had
talked of the delight of having Rose and Princess Polly for her
playmates all Winter.
She had promised to be a faithful little pupil at school, and she had
dreamed all night, and talked all day of the delightful Winter that she
was to enjoy.
Now, seated in the car, ready to take her first journey from home, she
looked about her with frightened eyes. Captain Seaford stood beside
her. He had bought a box of candy, and a book, trusting that they might
help to cheer her.
He looked down at the little daughter who was so dear to him.
"I'd make the trip with ye, Sprite, but yer ma, I'm thinking, will need
me, 'bout the time she knows yer train has started," he said.
"Oh, she will. You must go back to her," cried Sprite.
The conductor entered and stated that all who were intending to leave
the car must leave at once, or remain on board. Captain Seaford
stooped to kiss the little upturned face.
"Oh, father, dear! If you and mother hadn't worked