Polly of the Hospital Staff

's Bi

ming birthday, and half wishing that she could be dis

as choc'late, and year before that, jelly. Mamma said next time she'd have it orange, same's she did

well," suggested Polly.

admitte

nstead of having to lie abed," Polly went on

"Ying' a-bed ain't much fun, 's

maybe she'd have a cake

responded Corneli

to Kriloff, his face r

he'll come back?" que

ould a

aid Elsie gloomily,-"anyw

e!" prote

retort, "if High Price

e's comin'!" For light steps

ances towards the hall door; but it was not M

they were upon her, embracing, pulling, squeezing, u

o stay?" queried

resent," s

ugh the ward, while Polly silently clung to

m the entrance; and the children turned to see Dr.

he rest looked a

ons," he said, extendin

that the physician's greeting might be properly resp

ng around on the little group. "You neve

us to?" ventu

rom giving me such an ovation every day. How is that back of

hildren sidled b

lsie, proceeding with her usual inform

er" if a tea party would n't make a pleasant ending for the afternoon. That set Elsie into a flutter of blissful a

Dudley?" queried Polly, as Miss Lu

, n

er invite you?

rn round, and let me se

fair for me to have all the

pink as Polly's dress, while she pulled out the neck ruf

arting off w

d a time as you always do." And Miss Lucy detaine

cross the ward. The children heard her tripping down the stairs, and hurried over to

You're going, 'stead o' me! Dr. Dudley says he shall feel

imed, in a flutter of astonishment

ughed Polly. "He wants

the childre

sie. "'Cause it

oned to her aid every excuse at command. But in the end she did exactly as the children wished, and they had the deligh

thoughtfully began to paint the picture for

er pretty gray suit, with the pink rose on her ha

they'll be gone

everywhere, so Miss Lucy won't have it to do when she gets back!

twisted leg or crutches in the way. But everybody that was on his feet had some share in the general

d them, and they felt it must be so, sinc

away," she whispered to Polly. "I

st was attracted by a horseback party on the stre

the little face in both her hands.

. "It was Dr. Dudley. Are n't

sie might not have had this birthday present

y box. In the box was a little gold signet r

s n't that lovelicious!

e could n't think of anything better. She has a poor little home, though her mother works hard and does all she can to make the childr

body, it is so beautiful!" and Polly

happy in the knowledge of sharing a

fairy tales, and the Miss Lucy taught them some new games

these, when the strains of an ol

ebody shouted, and they

a monkey!" s

hday!" cried the happy Elsie.

more length of cord. The little animal began to climb the wisteria vine, and pr

e," said Dr. Dudley, who had

dropped it into the monkey's outstretched paw, receiving f

a, transferring the pennies from the children's hands to his master's pocket, unti

the monkey bade their patrons good-bye, Elsie thought that no l

s, small tarts filled with fig marmalade, great berries that the children agreed were super-bondonjical, tiny nut cookies, a fro

e who could not be at the table, and nobody-not even the bir

ing, and followed Miss Lucy's movements with watchful eyes. At last the nurse left the w

way, and her heart in a flutter of excitement. The moments piled up, and Miss Lucy did not co

g befallen the ring? What could be the matter? The children gleefully discussing the Doctor's last story; but Polly's thoughts were at the other end of the room. When Miss Lucy and Dr. Dudley came back to them, however, both fac

Miss Lucy's room. It was around the corner, on another corridor, and

ser after showing it to you, and then I was called away, and I can't recollect putt

but Polly has been

iss Curtis, one of Miss

entered with

tion to the musterd, it seem

is honesty itself. She would n't do such a thing any more

k her if she noticed the ring when

ow we had such a thought. I believe it got knocked off the dresser some way and will be

an't help

went softly back through the long corridor.

ssed this morning? I have a call to go down to Linwood, and it is just coo

ke Elsie?" falter

el hurt! Twice in one day! Have

ut a happy laugh, but now Polly m

" the Doctor resumed. "I'll try to taker her some day, when she is a

she was but half conscious of them all; the dreadful ache in her heart over-powered everything else. She wondered if Dr. Dudley felt as Miss Lucy did. Or did he, with Miss Curtis, suspect her to be-a thief! She longed to

and the Doctor lifted her out. They walked up the flagging, hand in hand, the physician

edown?" he asked gently,

on his shoulder,

a time, resting his cheek lightly

out the r

no

saying to you?" he

- and Miss Lucy-talking. Miss Curtis-she thinks I-oh

voice that it Polly had n't been in such dep

and to her lips, and kissed

t n't ask me such questions about my Thist

le delight

s bother any more about that ring. Probably we'll fi

ly gently on her feet, while he opened the door. Nobo

e, who deferential

ong-a?"

I am Dr. Dudley. Whom

s hand towards the left. "Monkee-him ba-ad-a monkee!

exclaimed. "We have been trying to

her tears; but when she recognized the o

ut the ring

joyously. "Elsie's r

im got-a ring-a in leetle han'-I no see! I take-a pennees-so," and he went over a handful of invisible coins,-"I see!" pointing to the ring. "Where get-a?" He stared wildly around, to show how grea

ey earnestly, putting his hand in his pocket. "Acce

-a monkee!" He waved

carrying the coin, and

olly, when the door was shut.

as well as a sick-be

d, gazing down happil

breathed. "Now Miss

ant reply. "Better run upstairs and let Els

ou come

I must see, and it is getting along towards sleep time. Good-night, T

you did n't think I

cross the ward to Miss Lucy's side.

stared her

d Polly. "The man's just brought it back! He never knew

se. Then the echoed Polly'

ear, eager to know what was

fectly! It is a birthday present from Dr. Dudley and me. We were going to give it to you

inder's words and gestures, till her

ered with joy to want

I can't see my ring!" s

feel it," r

finger all night long?"

dear," the n

another word she allowe

at least two minutes when a voice p

lsie?" came th

organ man and the monkey and everybody have been living such a

ll the thanks we wanted were in yo

r pillow, the ring finger pressed against her cheek. And, at