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Thats the rose you put in the birthday cake, and next week well have a fresh one in another jolly little cake which youll make me; you left it on the floor of my den the night we talked there, and Ive kept it ever since. Theres love and romance for you! Polly touched the little relic, treasured for a year, and smiled to read the words My Pollys rose, scribbled under the crumbling leaves. I didnt know you could be so sentimental, she said, looking so pleased that he did not regret confessing his folly. I never was till I loved you, my dear, and Im not very bad yet, for I dont wear my posy next my heart, but where I can see it every day, and so never forget for whom I am working. Shouldnt wonder if that bit of nonsense had kept me economical, honest, and hard at it, for I never opened my pocket-book that I didnt think of you. Thats lovely, Tom, and Polly found it so touching that she felt for her handkerchief; but Tom took it away, and made her laugh instead of cry, by saying, in a wheedle-some tone, I dont believe you did as much for all your romance. Did you, now? If you wont laugh, Ill show you my treasures. I began first, and Ive worn them longest. As she spoke, Polly drew out the old locket, opened it, and showed the picture Tom gave her in the bag of peanuts, cut small and fitted in on one side; on the other was a curl of reddish hair and a black button. How Tom laughed when he saw them! You dont mean youve kept that frightful guy of a boy all this time? Polly! Polly! you are the most faithful loveress, as Maud says, that was ever known. Dont flatter yourself that Ive worn it all these years, sir; I only put it in last spring because I didnt dare to ask for one of the new ones. The button came off the old coat you insisted on wearing after the failure, as if it was your duty to look as shabby as possible, and the curl I stole from Maud. Arent we silly? He did not seem to think so, and after a short pause for refreshments, Polly turned serious, and said anxiously, When must you go back to your hard work? In a week or two; but it wont seem drudgery now, for youll write every day, and I shall feel that Im working to get a home for you. That will give me a forty-man-power and Ill pay up my debts and get a good start, and then Ned and I will be married and go into partnership, and well all be the happiest, busiest people in the West. It sounds delightful; but wont it take a long time, Tom? Only a few years, and we neednt wait a minute after Syd is paid, if you dont mind beginning rather low down, Polly. Id rather work up with you, than sit idle while you toil away all alone. Thats the way father and mother did, and I think they were very happy in spite of the poverty and hard work. Then well do it by another year, for I must get more salary before I take you away from a good home here. I wish, Oh Polly, how I wish I had a half of the money Ive wasted, to make you comfortable now. Never mind, I dont want it; Id rather have less, and know you earned it all yourself, cried Polly, as Tom struck his hand on his knee with an acute pang of regret at the power he had lost. |
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