Polly of Pebbly Pit

ra. Reaching the paragraph in the letter where Mrs. Brewster asked Anne Stewart if she thought five dollars a week for the board of each would be asking too mu

!" she cried, throwing herself b

rge, but I had hoped this place would be more reasonable. However, I am quite sure that figure five is a mista

re '5,' mother," returned Barbara, referring ag

tudied the figure given. "It does seem to

hat the price is just as long as we have a

ould, and you two girls going to a mountain resort like this is an extra cost. He will have to be away all summer on important business connected wi

ns, but we are concerned about the style and quality of meals to be se

thing was horrid and cheap! She knows what's good as well as we

particular to engage board in an undesir

e they raise lots of things that we have to pay such awful pr

admiration at the young girl, for tha

ch as delicacies and supplies from the baker's! It does make a difference in the accounts, you see, when one markets!" ventured Barb

t drudge about the house and take charge of the Social C

they never taught domestic science in her day, you see," hurriedly interpolated Eleanor

bout my education?" queried

how Bob the difference in pre

n thought and word. His son and elder daughter had been spoiled by fawning tutors and companions, so they had acquired the habit of white-washing facts to suit the needs.

know about this mounta

te about?" ask

this matter out, I will say my say," replied Mr. Maynard, seat

he bank asked us to make on a tract of timber-land? You wouldn't go with me when you heard we would have to camp out

r head as if the memory was not pleasant to recall. Her husb

arried about as long as we had, and their happy ranch-life st

band's yearning for a simple life in place of the frivolous and empty

is ordered to a quiet, mountainous region for a time, I know of no place so sui

his place will suit me. Are the Brewsters members of the best set there, or will I be left absolutel

, and I have heard that the ranch and house are the finest in the state. You met

. Every one seemed to think he is e

ave her two daughters climb the social ladder to a higher plane than she had been able to reach, so she knew

te arrangements, Frederick?" ventured th

but when can you be r

from one to the

Daddy!" declared Eleanor,

and we have so much to prepare before going to a place where

wo weeks to go throug

at everything is the

ory of her eldest

but I'm off for the bank when you begi

out the girls, and then you must have some idea of when Anne can expect them i

that it makes me tired to keep changing to suit the thousand and one occ

p! Pray walk like a lady when you cross

ped to kiss her. Then, he waved his hand at the others and left the room

' but Nolla is thinking of the rural pleasures she has heard me describe to her. If Bob knew the truth, she'd never go, and poor little Nolla would los

advising her to engage the rooms at the Brewster home. As an afterthought, he added

Stewart: "Have engaged rooms and board from next

nged and now they expected to leave Chicago sooner than she had thought. T

abit, and tennis clothes, and a few new afternoon

bit last fall, Bo

is wearing that style, now. Everything is mannis

ls, and have him give us the preference

ht habits. I shall take my bloome

appearance. What will become of you when it is time for y

ing so silly-I'm going int

O

ol

direction of Mr. Maynard who had been writing out checks for his family. He leane

petting Nolla whenever she says or does a

Stewart seems all right, and she is e

u do anything so unheard of as you threaten, no one

keep up with me, Bob, once I am of age

re only fourteen, and business is a long

f modern society and its aims, and they sacrificed many worth-while plans and pleasures upon the altar of their fickle goddess. So it followed that the fashionable tailors, the modiste and the lingerie-maker stitched and fitted and clip

icate. It is different with you, however, and I'm so glad you are sensible to appreciate what a difference c

o sew and fit we never would get away!" grumbled Eleanor, watc

ry you were so indifferent over your looks," retorted Barbara, turning a

omplexion cream in case of freckles or tan-and the shampoo mixture for the hair-dres

nd the few extra things were packed in Eleanor's trunk because

ht without being served styles and fits!" sighed Elean

y requested her to delete such items. Anne was bright at reading minds and smiled as she surmised the reason for the restriction. She knew Eleano

d need for the summer. Then she wired the Maynards to say all was waiting to hear from them. And Barba

ranged for the young ladies. While Polly and her mother planned the work, Mr. Brewster made a tho

n those farming sections, the task of finding a servant was not an easy one. And Mr. Brewster realized wha

opped in at the Oak Creek Post Office to see if there was any mail

" called Jim Sa

rewster, catching hold of Jim's harden

r of any one of you for nigh onto a year! Be'n keepin' pritty bus

ow my leetle chick thinks she can scratch for herself, too

ave ddication to rassle with livin'! Let her go to it, say

e kind of a gal to help the missus this summer and to have her b

t o

reamed it would be such a job to hunt one up, or Ah doubt if Ah

n for you-all, ef you-all ain't lookin' for

! So Ah'm not looking for style bu

You know Bill Dodd, don't yuh-he ne

Did he come from Yellow Jacket Pass way?" asked

had to sell that measly ranch that Bill held a quarter interest in to pay b

ppointed search, he had been growing more and more despondent of succe

ated her. But she was not elusive looking. She was six feet i

would like a place to live out? We-all have company for t

Mr. Brewster. Yes, Ah did think some of goin' in a reel good fam'ly to wuk, but na

his offer of a place, but he was not the man to take

. Brewster wants some one at once, and you-a

a square man you-all wa

us moisture filled Sar

all my dealings, for it pays in the

tie up my bundle in a mini

Sary was soon perched beside the rancher on the high spring seat of the lumbering ranch-wagon, tenderly holding a half-dead rubber plant. On that dr

e expected. Mrs. Brewster and Polly were in the midst of a light hou

help!" shouted Sam Brewster, pulling

to see you! Come in, won't you?" gree

is press in to the spare room," added Polly,

et, child!" reproved Mrs. Brewster,

house agin!" cried Sary, leaning agai

carry that heavy box from the wago

by this time, and she stoop

s in the box to

ran'mother's pieces of reel silver-four plated! And mos' of all, the Brittania cake basket Bill gave me

ing at home," said Mrs. Brewster, seeing a frown coming over her lord and master

o the "help," who had plumped herself down into the wooden Bos

er kindly, taking the twisted black strings to undo th

n't too good! Ah'll jest set t' git my second wind, a

ong ride. Shall I send Polly to the spring-house for some cold milk?" asked the

coffed Sary. "Don' cher know a fat bein' mu

widow had donned when she began her journey to new surroundings. Being quite rested by this time, Sary gripped a hold o

bunk, Ah ricken Ah'll change my Sunday-best

ed Mrs. Brewster, coming to the door that opened from the liv