TheLogOf

The"JollyPolly"

ByRichardHardingDavis

TheLogOfThe"JollyPolly"

TemptationcametomewhenIwasintheworstpossiblepositiontoresistit.

It is a way temptation has.Whenever I swear off drinking invariably I aminvited to an ushers' dinner. Whenever I am rich, only the highbrowpublicationsthatpaytheleast,wantmywork.ButthemomentIampoverty-stricken the MANICURE GIRL'S MAGAZINE and the ROT AND SPOTWEEKLYspringatmewithoffersofadollaraword.Temptationalwaysisonthejob.WhenIamdownandouttemptationalwaysisupandatme.

WhenfirsttheFarrellstemptedmemyvoguehaddeparted.Onmynameand"past performances" I could still dispose of what I wrote, but only tomagazines that were just starting. The others knew I no longerwas a best-seller.Alltherealeditorsknewit.Sodidthetheatricalmanagers.

Mybooksandplayshadflourishedinthedarkageofthehistorical-romanticnovel. My heroes wore gauntlets and long swords. They fought for theCardinalortheKing,andeachlovedahigh-borndemoisellewhowasawardoftheKingortheCardinal,andwithfeminineperversity,alwaysofwhicheverone her youngmanwas fighting.With peoplewho had never readGuizot's"HistoryofFrance,"mybookswerepopular,andformemadeagreatdealofmoney.Thiswasfortunate,formyparentshadleftmenothingsaveexpensivetastes.When the tastesbecamehabits, thepublic leftme. It turned towhite-slaveandcrookplays,andtonovelstruetolife;sotruetolifethatonefeltthe

authormustatonetimehavebeenamasseurinaTurkishbath.

So, my heroines in black velvet, and my heroes with long swords were"scrapped."Asonebook reviewer put it, "To expect the public of to-day toreadthenovelsofFletcherFarrellislikeaskingpeopletogiveupthebunnyhugandgobacktothelancers."

And,tomakeitharder,Iwasonlythirtyyearsold.

It was at this depressing period in my career that I received a letter fromFairharbor,Massachusetts, signedFletcherFarrell.The letterwaswrittenonthebusinesspaperof theFarrellCottonMills,andasked if Iwererelated tothe Farrells of Duncannon, of the County Wexford, who emigrated toMassachusetts in 1860. The writer added that he had a grandfather namedFletcherandsuggestedwemightberelated.FromthehandwritingofFletcherFarrellandfromthewayheill-treatedtheKing'sEnglishIdidnotfeelthetiesof kinship callingme very loud. I replied briefly that my people originallycamefromYoughal,inCountyCork,thatasearlyas1730theyhadsettledinNewYork, and that all my relations on the Farrell side either were still atYoughal,ordead.Minewasnotanencouragingletter;nordidImeanittobe;and I was greatly surprised two days later to receive a telegram reading,"Something toyouradvantage tocommunicate;wifeandselfcallingonyouThursday at noon.FletcherFarrell." Iwas annoyed, but also interested.Thewords "something to your advantage" always possess a certain charm. So,whentheelevatorboytelephonedthatMr.andMrs.Farrellwerecalling,Itoldhimtobringthemup.

MyfirstglanceattheFarrellsconvincedmetheinterviewwasawasteoftime.I was satisfied that from two such persons, nothing tomy advantage couldpossiblyemanate.Onthecontrary,fromtheirlackofease,itlookedasthoughthey had come to beg or borrow. They resembled only a butler andhousekeeperapplyingforanewplaceunderthedisadvantageofknowingtheyhadnoreferencefromthelastone.Ofthetwo,Ibetterlikedtheman.Hewasan elderly, pleasant-faced Irishman, smooth-shaven, red-cheeked, and withwhitehair.AlthoughitwasJuly,heworeafrockcoat,andcarriedanewhighhat thatglistened.Asthoughhethoughtatanymomentitmightexplode,heheld it from him, and eyed it fearfully. Mrs. Farrell was of a moresophisticatedtype.Thelinesinherfaceandhandsshowedthatforyearsshemighthaveknownhardphysicalwork.Butherdresswasinthelatestfashion,andherfingersheldmorediamondsthan,outofashowcase,Ieverhadseen.

WithembarrassmentoldmanFarrellbeganhisspeech.Evidentlyithadbeenrehearsedandasherecited it, inswiftasides,hiswifepromptedhim;but tonote the effect he was making, she kept her eyes upon me. Having first

comparedmyname,fame,andnovelswiththoseofCharlesDickens,WalterScott, and Archibald Clavering Gunter, and to the disadvantage of thosegentlemen,Farrellsaidthesimilarityofournamesoftenhadbeencommentedupon, and that when frommy letter he had learned our families both werefrom the South of Ireland, he had a premonition we might be related.Duncannon, where he was born, he pointed out, was but forty miles fromYoughal,andthefishingboatsoutofWaterfordHarboroftensoughtshelterinBlackwaterRiver.Hadanyofmyforebears,heasked,followedtheherring?

Alarmed,lestatthisImighttakeoffense,Mrs.Farrellinterruptedhim.

"TheFletchersandO'FarrellsofYoughal,"sheexclaimed,"weregentry.Whatwouldtheybedoinginatrawler?"

I assured her that so far as I knew, 1750 being beforemy time, theymighthavebeensmugglersandpirates.

"AllIeverheardoftheFarrells,"Itoldher,"beginsaftertheysettledinNewYork.Andthere isnooneIcanaskconcerningthem.Myfatherandmotheraredead;allmy father's relativesaredead,andmymother's relativesareasgoodasdead.Imean,"Iadded,"wedon'tspeak!"

To my surprise, this information appeared to afford my visitors greatsatisfaction.Theyexchangedhastyglances.

"Then," exclaimed Mr. Farrell, eagerly; "if I understand you, you have nolivingrelationsatallbarringthosethataredead!"

"Exactly!"Iagreed.

He drew a deep sigh of relief. With apparent irrelevance but with acarelessnessthatwasobviouslyassumed,hecontinued.

"SinceIcometoAmerica,"heannounced,"Ihavemadeheapsofmoney."Asthoughinevidenceofhisprosperity,heflashedthehighhat.Inthesunlightitcoruscated like one of hiswife's diamonds. "Heaps ofmoney," he repeated."Themillsarestillinmyname,"hewenton,"butfiveyearssinceIsoldthemWeliveontheincome.WeownHarborCastle,thefinesthouseonthewholewaterfront."

"Whenallthewindowsarelitup,"interjectedMrs.Farrell,"it'softentookforaFallRiverboat!"

"WhenIwasbuildingit,"Farrellcontinued,smoothly,"theycalleditFarrell'sFolly;butnotNOW."Infriendlyfashionhewinkedatme,"StandardOil,"heexplained,"offeredhalfamillionforit.Theywantedmywharffortheirtank

steamers.But,Ineededitformyyacht!"

Imusthavesatuprathertoosuddenly,for,seeingtheyachthadreachedhome,Mr.Farrellbeamed.Complacentlyhiswifesmoothedanimaginarywrinkleinherskirt.

"Eighteenmen!" she protested, "with nothing to do but clean brass and eatthreemealsaday!"

Farrellreleasedhisdeathgriponthesilkhattomakeasweepinggesture.

"Theyearntheirwages,"hesaidgenerously.

"Aren'ttheytakingusthisweektoCapMay?"

"They'retakingtheyachttoCapeMay!"correctedMrs.Farrell;"notME!"

"The sea does not agree with her," explained Farrell; "WE'RE going byautomobile."Mrs.Farrellnowtookupthewondroustale.

"It's a High Flyer, 1915 model," she explained; "green, with white enamelleatherinside,andredwheelsoutside.Youcanseeitfromthewindow."

Somewhat dazed, I stepped to thewindowand foundyou could see it fromalmostanywhere.Itwasaslargeasafreightcar;andwasentirelysurroundedby taxi-starters, bellboys, and nurse-maids. The chauffeur, and a deputychauffeur,inagreenliverywithpatent-leatherleggings,werefrowninguponthemob.Theypossessedthehauteurofambulancesurgeons.Ireturnedtomychair, and then rose hastily to ask if I could not offer Mr. Farrell somerefreshment.

"Mebbe later," he said. Evidently he felt that as yet he had not sufficientlyimpressedme.

"Harbor Castle," he recited, "has eighteen bedrooms, billiard-room, music-room,artgalleryandswimming-pool."Heshookhishead."Andnoonetouse'embutus.Wehadaboy."Hestopped,andforan instant,as thoughaskingpardon,laidhishanduponthekneeofMrs.Farrell."Buthewastakenwhenhewasfour,andnonecamesince.Mywifehasaniece,"headded,"but"

"But,"interruptedMrs.Farrell,"shewastoohighandmightyforplainfolks,andnowthereisnoone.WealwaystookaninterestinyoubecauseyournamewasFarrell.Wewerealwaysreadingofyouin thepapers.Wehaveallyourbooks,andapictureofyouinthebilliard-room.WhenfolksaskmeifweareanyrelationsometimesItell'emweARE."

Asthoughchallengingmetoobject,shepaused.

"It'squitepossible," Isaidhastily.And, inorder toget ridof them,Iadded:"I'lltellyouwhatI'lldo.I'llwritetoIrelandand"

Farrell shook his head firmly. "You don't need towrite to Ireland," he said,"forwhatwewant."

"WhatDOyouwant?"Iasked.

"WewantaSON,"saidFarrell;"anadoptedson.WewanttoadoptYOU!"

"YouwanttoWHAT?"Iasked.

TolearnifMrs.Farrellalsowasmad,Iglancedtowardher,butherexpressionwasinscrutable.ThefaceoftheIrishmanhadgrownpurple.

"Andwhynot?"hedemanded."Youarea famousyoungman,all right,andeducated.Butthere'snothingaboutmeI'mashamedof!I'mworthfivemilliondollarsandImadeeverycentOfitmyselfandImadeithonest.YouaskDunorBradstreet,ask"

Iattemptedtosoothehim.

"THAT'Snotit,sir,"Iexplained."It'samostgenerousoffer,amostflattering,complimentaryoffer.Butyoudon'tknowme.Idontknowyou.Choosingasonisavery"

"I'vehadyoulookedup,"announcedMrs.Farrell."ThePinkertonsgiveyouahighrating.Ihired'emtotrailyouforsixmonths."

Iwanted to askWHICH sixmonths, but decided to let sleeping dogs lie. Ishookmyhead.PolitelybutfirmlyIdeliveredmyultimatum.

"Itisquiteimpossible!"Isaidfirmly.

Mrs. Farrell continued the debate. She talked in a businesslikemanner andpronounced the arrangement one bywhich both sides would benefit. TherewerethousandsofotherFarrells,shepointedout,anyoneofwhomtheymighthaveadopted.Buttheyhadselectedmebecauseinsochoosing,theythoughttheyweretakingtheleastrisk.Theyhaddecidedshewaspleasedtosay,thatIwouldnotdisgrace them,and thatasa"literaryauthor"Ibroughtwithmeacertainsocialasset.

A clever, young businessman they did notwant. Their business affairs theywerequitabletomanagethemselves.ButtheywouldlikeasanadoptedsononewhohadalreadyaddedglorytothenameofFarrell,whichgloryhewaswillingtoshare.

"Wewouldn't tieyoudown,"sheurged"butwewouldexpectyou to liveatHarborCastleapartofyourtime,andtocallusMaandPa.Youwouldhaveyour own rooms, and your own servant, and there is a boat-house on theharborfront,whereyoucouldwriteyournovels."

Atthis,knowingnonewantedmynovels,Imayhavewinced,for,misreadingmydiscontent,Farrellhastilyinterrupted.

"Youwon'thavetoworkatall,"heprotestedheartily."Mysoncanaffordtolivelikealord.You'llgetallthespendingmoneyyouwant,andifyou'refondofforeignparts,youcantaketheyachtwhereveryouplease!"

"Thefartherthebetter,"exclaimedMrs.Farrellwithheat."Andwhenyougetitthere,Ihopeyou'llSINKit!"

"MaybeyourfriendswouldcomeandvisitYou,"suggestedFarrell,Ithought,atriflewistfully."There'sbathing,tennis,eight...bedrooms,billiard-room,artgallery"

"Youtoldhimthat!"saidMrs.Farrell.

I was greatly at a loss. Their offer was preposterous, but to them, it wasapparentlyaperfectlypossiblearrangement.Norweretheyactingonimpulse.Mrs.Farrellhadadmittedthatforsixmonthsshehadhadme"trailed."Howtosay"No"andnotgiveoffense,Ifounddifficult.Theyweredeeplyinearnestand I could see that Farrell, at least, was by instinct generous, human, andkind.Itwas,infact,amostgenerousoffer.ButhowwasItotellthemtactfullyIwasnotforsale,thatIwasnotlookingfor"ready-to-wear"parents,andthatif I were in themarket, theywere not the parents I would choose. I had apictureof lifeatHarborCastle,dependentupon thecharityof theFarrells. Iimaginedwhatmyfriendswouldsaytome,andworse,whattheywouldsaybehindmyback.ButIwasnotforcedtoarefusal.

Mr.Farrellrose.

"Wedon'twanttohurryyou,"hesaid."Wewantyoutothinkitover.Maybeifwegetacquainted"

Mrs.Farrellsmileduponmeingratiatingly.

"Whydon'twegetacquaintednow?"shedemanded."We'remotoringdowntoCapeMaytostaythreeweeks.Whydon'tyoucomealongasourguestandseehowyoulikeus?"

Iassuredthem,almosttoohastily,thatalreadywasdeeplyengaged.

Astheydeparted,Farrellagainadmonishedmetothinkitover.

"AndlookmeupatDun'sandBradstreet's,"headvised."Ask'emaboutmeattheWaldorf.AsktheheadwaitersandbellhopsifIlooktwiceatafivespot!"

Itseemedanoddwaytoselectafather,butIpromised.

I escorted them even to the sidewalk, and not without envy watched themsweep toward theWaldorf in the High Flyer, 1915model. I caught myselfdeciding,wereitmine,Iwouldpaintitgray.

Iwas lunching at theRitzwithCurtisSpencer, and I looked forward to thedelighthewouldtakeinmystoryoftheFarrells.Hewouldprobablywanttowriteit.Hewasmyjunior,butmygreatfriend;andasanovelisthispopularitywas where five years earlier mine had been. But he belonged to the newschool.Hisnovelssmelledlikeabeautyparlor;andhisheroines,whilealwaysbeautiful,were,onoccasions,virtuous,butonlywhen they thought itwouldpay.

Spencerhimselfwasasmodernashisnovels,andIwasconfidenthisviewofmy adventure would be that of the great world which he described soaccurately.

ButtomyamazementwhenIhadfinishedhesavagelyattackedme.

"You idiot!" he roared. "Are you trying to tellme you refused fivemilliondollarsjustbecauseyoudidn'tlikethepeoplewhowantedtoforceitonyou?Where,"hedemanded,"isCapeMay?We'llfollowthemnow!We'llclosethisdeal before they can change their minds. I'll make you sign to-night. And,then,"hecontinuedeagerly,"we'lltaketheiryachtandescapetoNewport,andyou'lllendmefivethousanddollars,andpaymydebts,andgivemebackthetenyouborrowed.Andyoumightbuymeatouring-carandsomepoloponiesandandoh,lotsofthings.I'llthinkofthemaswegoalong.Meanwhile,Ican'tafford to give luncheons tomillionaires, so you sign for this one; and thenwe'llstartforCapeMay."

"Areyoumad?"Idemanded;"doyouthinkI'dsellmyhonor!"

"Forfivemilliondollars?"criedSpencer."Don'tmakemelaugh!IftheywantaREALnovelistforasontheycanadoptme!"

IrepliedwithdignitythatIwouldnotdisgracethememoryofmyparents.

"Youhavedisgracedthem!"retortedSpencer,"withyourMusketeernovelsforinfants.Youneedmoney.Togetityoumaybetemptedtowritemorenovels.Here'syourchance!Stoprobbingthepublic,andleadanhonestlife.Thinkof

all themoneyyou could give to the poor, thinkof all themoneyyou and IcouldloseatMonteCarlo!"

When he found I would not charter an auto-mobile and at once pursue theFarrells he changed his tactics. If I would not go to Cape May, then, hebegged,IwouldgotoFairharbor.HeaskedthatIwould,atleast,findoutwhatIwasrefusing.Beforemakingtheiroffer,forsixmonths,theFarrellshadhadme "looked up," but,without knowing anything of them, after a talk of tenminutesIhadturnedthemdown."Wasthat,"heasked,"intelligent?WasitfairtotheFarrells?"Hecontinuedtotemptme.

"Theytoldyoutothinkitover,"hepersisted."Verywell,then,thinkitoveratFairharbor! For the next threeweeks the Farrellswill be atCapeMay. Thecoastisclear.GotoFairharborassomebodyelseandbeyourowndetective.Findoutifwhattheytellyouistrue.Getinsideinformation.GetinsideHarborCastle. Count the eighteen bedrooms and try the beds. Never mind the artgallery, butmake sure there is awine cellar.You can't start too soon, and IWILLGOWITHYOU!"

Itoldhimwherehecouldgo.

We then tossed to seewhoshouldpay for the lunchandwhoshould tip thehead waiter. I lost and had to tip the head waiter. We separated, and as IwalkeddowntheAvenue,itseemedasthoughtotheproprietorofeveryshopIpassedIowedmoney.OwingthemthemoneyIdidnotsomuchmind;whatmostdistressedmewasthattheyweresopoliteaboutit.Ihadalwayswantedto reward their patience. A favorite dream of mine was to be able to walkdownFifthAvenue,mypocketsstuffedwithyellowbills,payingoffmydebts.Compared with my steadily decreasing income, how enormous my debtsappeared; but when compared with the income of a man worth say-fivemillion dollars, how ridiculous! I had nomore than reachedmy apartment,than a messenger-boy arrived with an envelope. It contained a ticket for aroundtripontheNewBedfordLineboatleavingthatafternoon,aticketforastateroom,andanotefromCurtisSpencer.Thelatterread:"Theboatleavesatsix to-night. You arrive at New Bedford seven to-morrow morning. NewBedfordandFairharborareconnectedbyabridge.CROSSIT!"

Itorethenoteintinyfragments,andtossedthemthroughtheopenwindow.Iwasexceedinglyangry.AsIstoodatthewindowaddingtothenameofCurtisSpencer insulting aliases, the street below sent up hot, stifling odors: thesmokeoftaxicabs,thegasesofanopensubway,thestalereekofthousandsofperspiring,unwashedbodies.FromthatonesidestreetseemedtorisetheheatandsmellsofallNewYork.ForreliefIturnedtomywork-tablewherelaytheopeningchaptersofmynewnovel,"TheWhitePlumeofSavoy."Butnow,in

the light of Spencer's open scorn, I saw it was impudently false, childish,sentimental.Myheadached, thehumiditysappedmystrength,atheartI feltsick,sore,discouraged.Iwasdownandout.Andseeingthis,Temptation,likeanobsequiousfloorwalker,camehurryingforward.

"Andwhatmay I show you to-day?" askedTemptation.He showedme theupperdeckoftheNewBedfordboatfeelingherwaybetweenthegreenbanksof theSound.Acoolwind sweptpastmebearing clean, saltyodors; on thesaloondeckabandplayed,and fromthedarkness the lighthouseswinkedatme,andinfriendlygreetingthestarssmiled.Temptationwon.InfiveminutesIwasfeverishlypacking,andatfive-thirtyIwasonboard.IassuredmyselfIhad not listened to Temptation, that I had no interest in Fairharbor. I wastakingthetripsolelybecauseitwouldgivemeanight'ssleepontheSound.IpromisedmyselfthatonthemorrowIwouldnotevenLOOKtowardHarborCastle;buton theevening followingon the sameboat, return toNewYork.Temptationdidnotstoptoargue,buthastenedafteranothervictim.

Iturnedinatnineo'clockandthecoolness,andthesaltair,blessedmewiththefirstsleepIhadknowninweeks.AndwhenIwokeweweremadefasttothe company's wharf at New Bedford, and the sun was well up. I roserefreshedinbodyandspirit.NolongerwasIdiscouraged.Even"TheWhitePlumeofSavoy"seemedaperfectlygoodtaleofromanceandadventure.AndtheFarrellswerea joke.Even if IwereatFairharbor, Iwas thereonlyonalark, and at the expense of Curtis Spencer, who had paid for the tickets.DistinctlythejokewasonCurtisSpencer.I loweredthewindowscreen,andlookedacrosstheharbor.Itwasabeautifulharbor.AtancientstonewharfsJayancient whalers with drooping davits and squared yards, at anchor white-breasted yachts flashed in the sun, a gray man-of-war's man flaunted theweek'slaundry,afour-mastedschoonerdriedhercanvas,andoverthesmilingsurfaceoftheharborinnumerablefishingboatsdarted.WithdelightIsniffedthe odors of salt water, sun-dried herring, of oakum and tar. The shoreoppositewas a graceful promontory crownedwith trees and decorous gray-shingled cottages set in tiny gardens that reached to the very edge of theharbor. The second officer was passing my window and I asked what thepromontorywascalled.

"Fairharbor," he said. He answered with such proprietary pride and smileduponFairharborwithsuchapprovalthatIventuredtoguessitwashishome.

"That'sright,"hesaid;"IusedtoliveattheNewYorkendoftherun-inaflat.Butneveragain!Noplacefortheboytoplaybutinthestreet.IfoundIcouldrentoneofthoseoldcottagesoverthereforthesamemoneyIpaidfortheflat.SoIcutoutNewYork.Myboylivesinabathingsuitnow,andhecanhandleacatboatsameasme.Wehaveakitchengarden,andhens,andthefishermen

herewillgiveyouallthefishyoucancarryawayfishrightoutofthewater.IguessI'vesmashedthehighcostoflivingproblemallright.Iwouldn'tgobacktolivinginNewYorknownotiftheygavemethePILGRIM."

Asthoughtryingtoprodmymemory,Ifrowned.Itwasmyconceptionofthepartofadetective."Hasn'tFletcherFarrell,"Iasked,"ahouseinFairharbor?"

"HarborCastle,"saidthematepromptly."It'sontheothersideofthepointI'dassoonliveinajail!"

"Why?"Iexclaimed.

Buthewasnolongerlistening.Hepointedattheshoreopposite.

"See that flag runningup thestaff in thatgarden?"hecried."That'smyboysignalling.Igottogettotheboatdeckandwaveback!"

Ifeltasadetective.Ihadacquiredimportantinformation.Themate,amanofjudgment,preferredFairharbortoNewYork.Also,tolivinginHarborCastle,hepreferredgoingtojail.

The boat on which I had arrived was listed to start back at six the sameeveningonherreturntriptoNewYork.So,attheofficeofthelineIcheckedmyvalise,andsetforthtoexploreNewBedford.

Thewhaling vesselsmoored to a nearbywharf, I inspected fromhatches tokeels,andbythoseonboardwasdirectedtoawarehousewherewerestoredharpoons,whalebone, andwooden figure-heads.Mypleasure in these led tomybeingpassedontoarowof"antique"shopsfilledwithrelicsofthedaysofwhaling and also with genuine pie-crust tables, genuine flint-lock muskets,genuine Liverpool pitchers. I coveted especially old-time engravings of thewhalers, andwas told atHatchardson's book-store on themain street otherscouldbefoundinprofusion.

Hatchardson'sprovedtobeaplaceofgreatdelight.Asyouenteredtherewerecountersformagazinesandpost-cards,popularmusic,andbest-sellingnovels,while in the rear of the shop tables and shelves were stocked with ancientvolumes, and on the wall surrounding them hung engravings, prints andwoodcutsofeven theeighteenthcentury. Justas thedrugstoreon thecornerseemedtobeawaitingstationforthoseofNewBedfordwhousedthetrolley-cars, so for those who moved in automobiles, or still clung to the familycarriage,Hatchardson'sappearedtobelessashopthanapublicmeeting-place.Inoticedthattheclerks,mostofwhomwerewomen,werewiththecustomersonamostfriendlyfooting,addressingthem,andbythembeingaddressedbyname.FindingIwasfreetowanderwhereIpleased,Iwalkedtotherearofthe

shop and from one of the tables picked up a much-worn volume. It wasentitled"TheLogoftheJOLLYPOLLY",andwasillustratedwithwoodcutsshowing square-rigged ships andwhales Spouting. For fiveminutes, lost tomySurroundings, I turned thepages;and thenbecameconscious thatacrossthe tablesomeonewaswatchingme. I raisedmyeyesandbehelda faceofmostsurprisingcharm, intelligenceandbeauty. Itwasso lovely that itmademewince.Thefacewasthefortune,andjudgingfromthefactthatinherhandsheheldasalesbook,thesolefortune,ofatallyounggirlwhoapparentlyhadapproachedtowaitonme.Shewaslookingtowardthestreet,sothat,withthebook-shelves for a back-ground, her face was in profile, and I determinedswiftlythatifsheweretowaitonmeshewouldbekeptwaitingaslongasmymoneylasted.Ididnotwant"TheLogoftheJOLLYPOLLY,"butIdidwanttohear the lovely ladyspeak,andespecially Idesired that theone towhomshespokeshouldbemyself.

"What is thepriceof this?"Iasked.Withmagnificentself-controlIkeptmyeyesonthebook,butthelovelyladywassolongsilentthatIraisedthem.Tomy surprise, I found on her face an expression of alarm and distress.Withreluctance, and yet within her voice a certain hopefulness, she said, "Fiftydollars."

Fiftydollarswasadeathblow.Ihadplannedtokeep theyoungladysellingbooksthroughouttheentiremorning,butatfiftydollarsabook,Iwouldsoonbeowinghermoney.Iattemptedtogaintime.

"Itmustbevery rare!" I said. Iwasafraid to lookather lestmyadmirationshouldgiveoffense,soIpretendedtoadmirethebook.

"Itistheonlyoneinexistence,"saidtheyounglady."Atleast, it istheonlyoneforsale!"

Wewereinterruptedbytheapproachofatallmanwho,fromhisplayingthepolite host and from his notwearing a hat, I guessedwasMr.Hatchardsonhimself. He looked from the book in my hand to the lovely lady and saidsmiling,"Haveyoulostit?"

Thegirldidnotsmile.Toher,apparently,itwasnolaughingmatter."Idon'tknowyet,"shesaid.Hervoicewascharming,andgenuinelytroubled.

Mr.Hatchardson,forlaterIlearneditwashe,tookthebookandshowedmethetitle-page.

"Thiswasprivatelyprinted in1830,"he said, "byCaptainNoahBriggs.HedistributedahundredpresentationcopiesamonghisfamilyandfriendshereinNewBedford.Itisamostinterestingvolume."

Ididnotfinditso.Forevenashespoketheyounggirl,stillwithatroubledcountenance, glided away. Inwardly I cursed Captain Briggs and associatedwithhiminmycurse thepoliteMr.Hatchardson.But,athisnextwordsmyinterestreturned.Stillsmiling,heloweredhisvoice.

"MissBriggs,theyoungladywhojustleftus,"hesaid,"isthegranddaughterofCaptainBriggs,andshedoesnotwantthebooktogooutofthefamily;shewantsitforherself."Iinterruptedeagerly.

"Butitisforsale?"Mr.Hatchardsonreluctantlyassented.

"ThenIwilltakeit,"Isaid.

Fiftydollarsisagreatdealofmoney,butthefaceoftheyoungladyhadbeenverysad.Besidesbeingsad,had itbeenaged,plain,and ill-tempered, that Istillwouldhaveboughtthebook,isaquestionIhaveneverdetermined.

ToMr.Hatchardson, ofmypurpose to give thebook toMissBriggs, I saidnothing.InsteadIplannedtosendittoheranonymouslybymail.ShewouldreceiveitthenextmorningwhenIwasarrivinginNewYork,and,asshedidnot know my name, she could not possibly return it. At the post-office Iaddressed the"Log" to"MissBriggs,careofHatchardson'sBookstore,"andthenIreturnedtothestore.IfeltIhadearnedthatpleasure.Thistime,MissBriggswasinchargeofthepost-cardcounter,andasnowapost-cardwastheonlythingIcouldaffordtobuy,atseeingherthereIwasdoublypleased.Butshewasnotpleasedtoseeme.EvidentlyMr.HatchardsonhadtoldherIhadpurchased the "Log" and at her loss her very lovely face still showeddisappointment.Towardmehermannerwasdistinctlyaggrieved.

Butof the "Log" I saidnothing, andbegan recklesslypurchasingpost-cardsthatpicturedtheshowplacesofNewBedford.AlmostthefirstoneIpickedupwaslabelled"HarborCastle.ResidenceofFletcherFarrell."IneednotsaythatI studied it intently. According to the post-card, Harbor Castle stood on arocky point with water on both sides. It was an enormous, wide-spreadingstructure,aslargeasafort.Itexudedprosperity,opulence,extravagance,greatwealth. I felt suddenly a filial impulse to visit the home of my would-beforefathers.

"Isthisplacenearhere?"Iasked.

Miss Briggs told me that in order to reach it I should take the ferry toFairharbor,andthencrossthattowntotheBuzzardsBayside.

"You can't miss it," she said. "It's a big stone house, with red and whiteawnings.Ifyouseeanythinglikeajailinruffles,that'sit."

ItwasevidentthatwiththehomeIhadrejectedMissBriggswasunimpressed;butseeingmeaddthepost-cardtomycollection,sheofferedmeanother.

"This,"sheexplained,"isHarborCastlefromthebay.Thatistheiryachtintheforeground."

The post-card showed a very beautiful yacht of not less than two thousandtons. Beneath it was printed "HARBOR LIGHTS; steam yacht owned byFletcherFarrell."Ialwayshaddreamedofowningasteamyacht,andseeingitstated in cold type that onewasownedby "FletcherFarrell," even though IwasnotthatFletcherFarrell,gavemeathrillofguiltypleasure.Igazeduponthepost-cardwithenvy.

"HARBORLIGHTSisastrangenameforayacht,"Iventured.MissBriggssmiled.

"Notforthatyacht,"shesaid."Sheneverleavesit."

I wished to learn more of my would-be parents, and I wished to keep ontalkingwith the lovelyMissBriggs, so,asanexcuse forboth, Ipretended IwasinterestedintheFarrellsbecauseIhadsomethingIwantedtosellthem.

"This Fletcher Farrell must be very rich," I said. "I wonder," I asked, "if Icouldsellhimanautomobile?"ThemomentIspokeInoticedthatthemannerof Miss Briggs toward Me perceptibly softened. Perhaps, from my buyingoffhandafifty-dollarbookshehadthoughtmeoneoftherich,andhadbegunto suspect I was keeping her waiting on me only because I found herextremely easy to look at. Many times before, in a similar manner, otheryouths must have imposed upon her, and perhaps, also, in concealing myadmiration,Ihadnotentirelysucceeded.

But,when she believed that, like herself, I wasworking formy living, shebecamemorehuman.

"Whatcarareyouselling?"sheasked."IamTRYINGtosell,"Icorrectedher,"theBlueBird,sixcylinder."

"Ineverheardofit,"saidMissBriggs.

"Norhasanyoneelse,"Ianswered,withtruth."ThatisonereasonwhyIcan'tsellit.Iarrivedherethismorning,and,"Iaddedwithpathos,"Ihaven'tsoldacaryet!"

MissBriggsraisedherbeautifuleyebrowsskeptically."Haveyoutried?"shesaid.

A brilliant idea came to me. In a side street I had passed a garage wherePhotaixcarswereadvertisedforhire.IownedaPhoenix,andIthoughtIsawawaybywhich,forahappyhour,ImightsecurethesocietyofMissBriggs.

"IamanagentanddemonstratorforthePhoenixalso,"Isaidglibly;"maybeIcouldshowyouone?"

"Showmeone?"exclaimedMissBriggs. "Onesees themeverywhere!Theyarealwaysunderyourfeet!"

"Imean,"Iexplained,"mightItakeyouforadriveinone?"

ItwasasthoughIhadcompletelyvanished.SofarasthelovelyMissBriggswasconcernedIhadceasedtoexist.Sheturnedtowardaniceoldlady.

"Whatcan I showyou,Mrs.Scudder?"sheaskedcheerily;"andhowis thatwonderfulbaby?"

I felt as though I had been lifted by the collar, thrown out upon a hardsidewalk,andmyhattossedafterme.Greatlyshaken,andmentallybrushingthe dust from my hands and knees, I hastened to the ferry and crossed toFairharbor.Iwasextremelyangry.ByanutterstrangerIhadbeenmisjudged,snubbedandcastintoouterdarkness.FormyselfIreadilyfoundexcuses.Ifayoungwomanwas so attractive that at the first sight of hermen could notresistbuyingherfifty-dollarbooksandhiringautomobilesinwhichtotakeherdriving,thefaultwashers.IassuredmyselfthatgirlsaslovelyasMissBriggswereamenacetothepublic.Theyshouldnotbeatlarge.Anordinanceshouldrequirethemtogomasked.ForMissBriggsalsoIwasabletomakeexcuses.Whyshouldshenotprotectherselffromtheadvancesofstrangeyoungmen?If a popular novelist, and especially an ex-popular one, chose to go aboutdisguised as a drummer for theBlueBird automobile and behaved as such,andwastreatedassuch,whatrighthadhetocomplain?SoIpersuadedmyselfI had been punished as I deserved. But to salvemy injured pride I assuredmyself also that any one who read my novels ought to know my attitudetoward any lovely lady could be only respectful, protecting, and chivalrous.Butwiththisconsolingthoughtthetroublewasthatnobodyreadmynovels.

InfindingHarborCastleIhadnodifficulty.Itstooduponarockypoint thatjuttedintoBuzzardsBay.Fiveacresofartificiallawnandflower-bedsofthecemetery and railroad-station school of horticulture surrounded it, and fromthehighroaditwasprotectedbyastonewallsolowthattothepasserby,ofthebeautiesofHarborCastlenothingwaslefttotheimagination.Overthiswallroses under conflicting banners of pink and red fought fiercely. One couldalmostheartheshrieksofthewounded.UpontheleastthornyoftheseIseatedmyselfandintendermelancholygazeduponthehomeofmychildhood.That

is,uponthehomethatmight-have-been.

When surveying a completed country home, tomake the owner thoroughlyincensedthecorrectthingtosayis,"Thisplacehasgreatpossibilities!"

HarborCastlehadmorepossibilitiesthananyothercastleIevervisited.ButinfiveminutesIhadalteredittosuitmyself.Ihadplougheduptheflower-beds,dugasunkengarden,plantedawindscreenoffir,spruce,andPine,andwithahuge brick wall secured warmth and privacy. So pleased was I with mychanges, that when I departed I was sad and downcast. The boat-house ofwhichMrs.Farrellhadspokenwascertainlyan idealwork-shop, the tennis-courtsmadethoseat theNewportCasinolooklikeaploughedfield,andtheswimming-pool,guardedbywhitepillarsandoverhungwithgrape-vines,wasacoolandrefreshingpicture.As,hotandperspiring,I trudgedbackthroughFairharbor,thememoryofthesehauntedme.Thattheyalsotemptedme,itisimpossibletodeny.Butnotforlong.For,afterpassingthroughtheelm-shadedstreets to that side of the village that faced the harbor, I came upon thecottagesIhadseenfromtheNewBedfordshore.Atcloserangetheyappearedeven more attractive than when pointed out to me by the mate of thesteamboat. They were very old, very weather-stained and covered withhoneysuckle.Flatstonesinasettingofgrassledfromthegatestothearcheddoorways,hollyhocks rose abovehedgesofbox, and from theverandasonecouldlookoutuponthebusyharborandthehousesofNewBedfordrisinginstepsuptheslopinghillstoasky-lineoftree-topsandchurchspires.ThematehadtoldmethatforwhathehadrentedaflatinNewYorkhehadsecuredoneofthesecharmingoldworldhomes.AndasIpassedthemIbegantopickouttheoneinwhichwhenIretiredfromtheworldIwouldsettledown.ThistimeImadenoalterations.HowmuchthenearpresenceofMissBriggshadtodowithmydeterminationtosettledowninFairharbor,Icannotnowremember.But, certainly as I crossed the bridge towardNewBedford, thoughts of herentirely filledmymind. I assuredmyself thiswas soonlybecause shewasbeautiful.Iwassureheroutwardlovelinessadvertisedanatureequallylovely,butformysuddenandextremeinterestIhadotherexcuses.Herindependenceinearningher living,herchoice inearning itamongbooksandpictures,herprideoffamilyasshownbyherefforts tobuythefamilyheirloom,all thesejustifiedmyadmiration.Andherrefusingtogojoy-ridingwithanimpertinentstranger, even though the impertinent stranger was myself, was an act Iapplauded.ThemoreI thoughtofMissBriggsthemorewasIdisinclinedtogoawayleavingwithheranimpressionofmyselfsounpleasantastheoneshethenheld.Ideterminedtoremoveit.Atleast,untilIhadredeemedmyself,Iwould remain in New Bedford. The determination gave me the greatestsatisfaction.WithalightheartIreturnedtotheofficeofthesteamboatlineandretrievingmy suit-case startedwith it toward theParkerHouse. Itwas now

pastfiveo'clock,thestoreswereclosed,andallthepeoplewhohadnotgonetothebaseballgamewithFallRiverwereinthestreets.Inconsequence,asIwaspassing thepost-office,MissBriggscamedown thesteps,andwewerefacetoface.

InherlovelyeyeswasanexpressionofmingleddoubtandindignationandinherhandfreshlytornfromthepapersinwhichIhadwrappedit,was"TheLogoftheJOLLYPOLLY."InactionMissBriggswasasdirectasasubmarine.Atsightofmesheattacked."Didyousendmethis?"sheasked.

I loweredmybag to the sidewalk andprepared for battle. "I didn't think ofyourgoingtothepost-office,"Isaid."Iplannedyou'dgetit to-morrowafterI'dleft.WhenIsentit,IthoughtIwouldneverseeyouagain."

"Thenyoudid send it!" exclaimedMissBriggs.As though thebookwereahot plate she dropped it into my hand. She looked straight at me, but herexpressionsuggestedshewasremovingacaterpillarfromherpetrosebush.

"Youhadnoright,"shesaid."Youmaynothavemeanttobeimpertinent,butyouwere!"

Again, as though I had disappeared from the face of the earth,MissBriggsgazedcoldlyabouther,andwithdignitystartedtocrossthestreet.Herdignitywassogreatthatsheglancedneithertotheleftnorright.Inconsequenceshedidnotseeanautomobilethatswungrecklesslyaroundatrolley-caranddivedather.Butotherpeoplesawitandshrieked.Ialsoshrieked,anddroppingthesuit-caseandthe"Log,"jumpedintothestreet,grabbedMissBriggsbybotharms, and flungherback to the sidewalk.That leftmewhere shehadbeen,andthecarcaughtmeupandslammedmeheadfirstagainstatelegraphpole.Thepolewashard,andifanyonecountedmeoutIdidnotstayawaketohearhim.WhenIcametoIwasconscious that Iwas lyingonasidewalk;but toopenmyeyes,Iwasmuchtootired.Avoicewassaying,"Doyouknowwhoheis,Miss?"

The voice that replied was the voice of the lovelyMiss Briggs. But now Ihardlyrecognizedit.Itwasfullofdistress,oftendernessandpity.

"No, Idon'tknowhim," it stammered. "He's a salesmanhewas in the storethismorninghe'ssellingmotor-cars."Thefirstvoicelaughed.

"Motor-cars!"heexclaimed."That'swhyheain't scaredof 'em.Hecertainlysavedyoufromthatone!Iseenhim,MissBriggs,andhemostcertainlysavedyourlife!"

InresponsetothisastonishingstatementIwasdelightedtohearawell-trained

malechorusexclaiminassent.

Thevoicesdiffered;somespokeintheaccentsofHarvard,pureandundefiled,some in a "downEast" dialect, others suggested Italian peanut venders andPortuguesesailors,butallagreedthatthelifeofMissBriggshadbeensavedbymyself. I had intended coming to, but on hearing the chorusworking soharmoniouslyIdecidedIhadbettercontinueunconscious.

Thenanewvoicesaidimportantly:"Themarksonhissuitcaseare'F.F.,NewYork."

I appreciated instantly that to be identified as Fletcher Farrell meanthumiliationanddisaster.TheotherFletcherFarrellswouldsoonreturntoNewBedford.Theywould learn that in their absence Ihadbeenspyingupon thehomeIhadhaughtilyrejected.Besides,oneofthechorusmightrememberthatthree years back Fletcher Farrell had been a popular novelist and mightrecognizeme,andMissBriggswoulddiscoverIwasnotanautomobileagentandthatIhadliedtoher.IsawthatImustcontinuetolietoher.Ithoughtofnames beginningwith "F," and selected "Frederick Fitzgibbon." To christenyourselfwhileyoureyesareshutandyourhead restsonacurb-stone isnoteasy, and later Iwas sorry I had not calledmyself Fairchild as beingmorearistocratic.But then itwas too late.AsFitzgibbon Ihadcomeback to life,andasFitzgibbonImustremain.

WhenIopenedmyeyesIfoundthefirstvoicebelongedtoapolicemanwhohelpedmetomyfeetandheldincheckthemalechorus.Theobjectofeachwastoleadmetoadrink.ButinsteadIturneddizzilytoMissBriggs.Shewasholdingmyhatandshehandedittome.Herlovelyeyeswerefilledwithreliefandhercharmingvoicewithremorse.

"IIcan'tpossiblythankyou,"shestammered."Areyoubadlyhurt?"

IfeltIhadneverlistenedtowordssooriginalandwellchosen.Incomparison,the brilliant and graceful speeches I had placed on the lips ofmy heroinesbecameflatandunconvincing.

IassuredherIwasnotatallhurtandendeavored,jauntily,toreplacemyhat.Butwheremyheadhadhit the telegraphpolea largebumphadrisenwhichmademyhattoosmall.SoIhungitonthebump.Itgavemearakishair.Oneofthechorusreturnedmybagandanotherthe"Log."NotwishingtoremindMissBriggsofmypastimpertinences;Iguiltilyconcealedit.

ThenthepolicemanaskedmynameandIgavetheoneIhadjustinvented,andinquiredmyway to theParkerHouse.Half thechorusvolunteered toact asmyescort, andas Ideparted, I stolea last lookatMissBriggs.Sheand the

policemanweretakingdownthepedigreeofthechauffeurofthecarthathadhitme.Hewastryingtopersuadethemhewasnotintoxicated,andwitheachspeechwasfurnishingevidencetothecontrary.

AfterIhadgivenacoldbathto thebumponmyheadandto therestofmybodywhichforthemomentseemedthelesserofthetwo,Igotintodrythingsand seated myself on the veranda of the hotel. With a cigar to soothe myjangling nerves, I considered the position ofMissBriggs andmyself. Iwashappy in believing it had improved. On the morrow there was no law topreventme fromvisitingHatchardson'sBookstore, and inviewofwhathadhappenedsincelastI left it, IhadreasontohopeMissBriggswouldreceivememore,kindly.OfthecorrectnessofthisdiagnosisIwasatonceassured.Infront of the hotel a district messenger-boy fell off his bicycle and withunerringinstinctpickedmeoutasMr.FitzgibbonofNewYork.ThenotehecarriedwasfromMissBriggs.ItstatedthatinthepresenceofsomanypeopleithadbeenimpossibleforhertothankmeasshewishedfortheserviceIhadrenderedher,andthatMrs.Cutler,withwhomsheboarded,andherself,wouldbe glad if after supper I would call upon them. I gave the messenger-boyenoughgoldtoenablehimtobuyanewbicycleandinmyroomexecutedadancesymbolizingjoy.Ithenkickedmysuit-caseunderthebed.Iwouldnotsoonneedit.NowthatMissBriggshadforgivenme,IwasdeterminedtoliveanddieinNewBedford.

The homeofMrs.Cutler,whereMissBriggs lodged and boarded,was in aside street of respectable and distinguished antiquity. The street itself wasarched with the branches of giant elms, and each house was an islandsurroundedbygrass,andovertheporchesclimbedroses.Itwastoowarmtoremainindoors,sowesatonthestepsoftheporch,andthroughtheleavesofthe elms the electric light globe served us as a moon. For an automobilesalesmanIwasveryshy,veryhumble.

Twicebefore I hadgivenoffense and Iwas determined if it laywithme, itwouldnothappenagain.IdidnothopetointerestMissBriggsinmyself,nordidIletitappearhowtremendouslyIwasinterestedinher.ForthemomentIwasonlyastrangerinastrangelandmakingasocialcall.IaskedMissBriggsaboutNewBedfordandthewhaling,aboutthebooksshesold,andthebooksshe liked. It was shewho talked.When I foundwe looked at things in thesamewayandthatthesamethingsgaveuspleasureIdidnotcommentonthatastonishingfact,butasanassetmorepreciousthangold,storeditaway.WhenI returned to the hotel I found that concerning Miss Briggs I had madeimportantdiscoveries.IhadlearnedthathernamewasPolly,thattheJOLLYPOLLYhad been christened after her grandmother, that shewas an orphan,thattherewererelativeswithwhomshedidnot"hititoff,"thatshewasvery

wellread,possessedofamostcharmingsenseofhumor,andthatIfoundherthemostattractivegirlIhadevermet.

ThenextmorningIawokeinanexaltedframeofmind.Iwasinlovewithlife,withNewBedford,andwithPollyBriggs.Ihadbeeninlovebeforebutneverwithayoung ladywhoworked ina shop, and I found that lovinga lady sooccupied gives one a tremendous advantage. For when you call she mustalwaysbeathome,norcanshepleadanotherengagement.So,beforenoon,knowingshecouldnotdenyherself,IwasagainatHatchardson's,purchasingmorepostal-cards.ButMissBriggswasnotdeceived.Norapparentlywasanyone else. The BEDFORDMERCURY had told how, the previous evening,Frederick Fitzgibbon, an automobile salesman from New York, had beenknockedoutbyanautomobilewhilesavingMissPollyBriggsfromasimilarfate; andMr.Hatchardson and all the old ladieswhowere in the bookstoremakingpurchasescongratulatedme. Itwasevident that inMissBriggs theytookmuchmorethanaperfunctoryinterest.Theywereveryfondofher.Shewasaninstitution;andIcouldseethatassuchtovisitorsshewouldbepointedoutwithpride,aswasthenewbronzestatueoftheWhalemaninCourtHouseSquare.NordidtheyceasediscussingheruntiltheyhadmadeitquitecleartomethatinbeingknockedoutinherserviceIwasaveryluckyman.Ididnotneedtobetoldthat,especiallyasInotedthatMissBriggswasanxiouslestIshould not be properlymodest. Indeed, herwish that in the eyes of the oldladiesIshouldappeartoadvantagewassoevident,andherinterestinmesoproprietary,thatIwasfarfromunhappy.

TheafternoonIspentinFairharbor.FromarealestateagentIobtainedkeystothose cottages on the water-front that were for rent, and I busied myselfexploringthem.TheoneImostlikedIpretendedIhadrented,andIimaginedmyself at work among the flower-beds, or with my telescope scanning theshippingintheharbor,oratnightseatedinfrontoftheopenfirewatchingthegreenandblueflamesofthedriftwood.Later,irresolutely,IwanderedacrosstowntoHarborCastle,thistimewalkingentirelyarounditandcominguponasignthatread,"VisitorsWelcome.Donotpicktheflowers."

AssuringmyselfthatIwasmovedonlybycuriosity,Iacceptedtheinvitation,nor,thoughitwouldgreatlyhavehelpedtheappearanceofthecemetery-likebeds, did I pick the flowers. On a closer view Harbor Castle certainlypossessedfeaturescalculatedtomakeanimpecuniousauthorStop,look,andlisten.Ipictureditpeopledwithmyfriends.IsawthematthelongmahoganytableofwhichthroughtheFrenchwindowIgotaglimpse,ordancinginthemusic-room, or lounging on the wicker chairs on the sweeping verandas. Icouldsee them in flannelsat tennis, inbathing-suitsdiving from thespring-boardoftheswimmingpool,departingonexcursionsinthemotor-carsthatat

themoment in frontof thegaragewerebeingspongedandpolished, so thatthey flashed likemirrors.And I thought also of the two-thousand-ton yachtandtowhatfarcountries,towhatwonderfuladventuresitmightcarryme.

Butallofthesepictureslackedonefeature.InnoneofthemdidPollyBriggsappear. For, as I verywell knew, thatwas something the ambitions ofMrs.Farrell would not permit. That lady wanted me as a son only because shethoughtIwasasocialasset.Bythesamereasoning,asadaughter-in-law,shewouldnotwantashop-girl,especiallynotonewhoasashop-girlwasknowntoallNewBedford.MymoodasIturnedmybackuponthegoldengloriesofHarborCastleandwalkedtoNewBedfordwasthoughtful.

Ihad telegraphedmyservant tobringmemoreclothesandmyPhoenixcar;andas Ididnotwanthim inquiring forFletcherFarrell haddirectedhim tocomebyboattoFallRiver.Accordingly,thenextmorning,Itookthetrolleytothatcity,methimatthewharf,andsenthimbacktoNewYork.Igavehimacheckwithinstructionstohaveitcashedinthatcityandtosendthemoney,and my mail, to Frederick Fitzgibbon. This ALIAS I explained to him bysayingIwasgatheringmaterialforanarticletoproveonecouldliveonfiftycentsaday.HewasgreatlyrelievedtolearnIdidnotneedavalettohelpmeproveit.

IreturneddrivingthePhoenixtoNewBedford,andasitwasaSaturday,whenthestoreclosedatnoon,IhadtheineffabledelightoftakingPollyBriggsforadrive. As chaperons she invited two young friends of hers named Lowell.They had been but very lately married, and regarded me no more than achauffeurtheyhadhiredbythehour.ThisleftPollywhowasbesidemeonthefrontseat,andmyself,toourowndevices.Ourdeviceswereinnocentenough.Theyconsisted in conveying the self-centredLowells so far fromhome thattheycouldnotgetbackforsupperandweresoforcedtodinewithme.Polly,forasPollyInowthoughtofher,discoveredtheplace.Itwasaninn,ontheedgeofalakewithanIndianname.Wedidnotgethomeuntillate,butithadbeen such a successful party that before we separated we planned anotherjourney for the morrow. That one led to the Cape by way of Bourne andWood's Hole, and back again to the North Shore to Barnstable, where welunched. Itwas a grand day and the first of others just as happy.After thateveryafternoonwhenthestoreclosedIpickeduptheLowells;andthenPolly,and we sought adventures. Sometimes we journeyed no farther than thebaseballpark,butasaruleIdrovethemtosomeinnfordinner,wherelater,ifthere were music, we danced, if not, we returned slowly through the pinewoodsandsohomebythelongestpossibleroute.ThenextSaturdayIinvitedthem to Boston. We started early, dined at the Touraine and went on to a

musicalcomedy,whereIhadreservedseatsinthefrontrow.Thisnearlyledtomyundoing.LateinthefirstactaverymerrypartyofyoungpeoplewhohadcomeupfromNewportandNarragansetttotheCoates-Islipweddingfilledthestage boxes and at sight of me began to wave and beckon. They were soinsistentthatbetweentheactsIthoughtitsafertovisitthem.TheywantedtoknowwhyIhadnotappearedatthewedding,andwhowasthebeautifulgirl.

ThenextmorningonourreturntriptoNewBedfordPollysaid,"Ireadinthepapers thismorning that those girls in that theatre party last nightwere thebridesmaids at the Coates-Islip wedding. They seemed to know you quitewell."

I explained that in selling automobiles one became acquainted with manypeople.

Pollyshookherheadandlaughed.Thensheturnedandlookedatme.

"Youneversoldanautomobileinyourlife,"shesaid.

WithdifficultyIkeptmyeyesontheroad;butIprotestedvigorously.

"Don't think I have been spying," said Polly; "I found you out quite byaccident.YesterdayayoungmanIknowaskedmetopersuadeyoutoturninyourPhoenixandlethimsellyouoneofthenewmodel.IsaidyouyourselfweretheagentforthePhoenix,andhesaidthat,onthecontrary,HEwas,andthatyouhadnorighttosellthecarinhisTERRITORY."Igrinnedguiltilyandsaid:

"Well,IHAVEN'Tsoldany,haveI?"

"Thatisnotthepoint,"protestedPolly."Whatwasyourreasonfortellingmeyouweretryingtoearnalivingsellingautomobiles?"

"SothatIcouldtakeyoudrivinginone,"Ianswered.

"Oh!"exclaimedPolly.

TherewasapauseduringwhichinmuchinwardtrepidationIavoidedmeetinghereyes.ThenPollyaddedthoughtfully,"Ithinkthatwasaverygoodreason."

InourmanytalksthenameoftheFletcherFarrellshadneverbeenmentioned.I had been most careful to avoid it. As each day passed, and their returnimminent,andinconsequencemyneedtoflygrewmorenear,andthenamewas still unspoken, I was proportionately grateful. But when the name didcomeup Ihad reason tobepleased, forPollyspoke itwithapproval,and itwasnotoftheownerofHarborCastleshewasspeaking,butofmyself.Itwas

one evening about twoweeks afterwe hadmet, and I had side-stepped theLowellsandwasmotoringwithPollyalone.Weweretalkingofourfavoriteauthors,deadandalive.

"You may laugh," said Polly, and she said it defiantly, "and I don't knowwhetheryouwouldcallhimamongthedeadortheliving,butIamveryfondofFletcherFarrell!"

Myheartleaped.IwassorattledthatInearlyranthecarintoastonewall.Ithought Iwas discovered and that Pollywas playingwithme.But her nextwordsshowedthatshewasinnocent.Shedidnotknowthatthemantowhomshewastalkingandofwhomshewastalkingwerethesame."Ofcourseyouwillsay,"shewenton,"thatheistooromantic,thatheisnottruetolife.ButInever lived in theseventeenthcentury,soIdon'tknowwhetherhe is true tolifeornot.And I like romance.The life I lead in the storegivesmeall therealityIwant.Iliketoreadaboutbravemenandgreatandgraciousladies."

"InevermetanygirlslikethoseFarrellwriteabout,butit'snicetothinktheyexist. IwishIwere like them.And,hismen, too theymake lovebetter thananyothermanIeverreadabout."

"BetterthanIdo?"Iasked.

Pollygazedatthesky,frowningseverely.Afterapause,andasthoughshehaddropped my remark into the road and the wheels had crushed it, she said,coldly,"Talkingaboutbooks"

"No,"Icorrected,"weweretalkingaboutFletcherFarrell."

"Then," said Polly with some asperity, "don't change the subject. Do youknow,"shewentonhurriedly,"thatyoulooklikehimlikethepicturesofhimashewas."

"Heavens!"Iexclaimed,"theman'snotdead!"

"You know what I mean," protested Polly. "As he was before he stoppedwriting."

"Nor has he stoppedwriting," I objected; "his books have stopped selling."Pollyturneduponmeeagerly.

"Doyouknowhim?"shedemanded. Iansweredwithcaution that Ihadmethim.

"Oh!"sheexclaimed,"tellmeabouthim!"

Iwasextremelyembarrassed.Itwasabadplace.AboutmyselfIcouldnotsay

anythingpleasant,andbehindmyback,asitwere,Icertainlywasnotgoingtosay anything unpleasant. But Polly relieved me of the necessity of sayinganything.

"Idon'tknowanyman,"sheexclaimedfervently,"Iwouldsoliketomeet!"

ItseemedtomethatafterthatthelessIsaidthebetter.SoItoldhersomethingwaswrongwiththeengineandbythetimeIhadpretendedtofixit,Ihadledthe conversation away from Fletcher Farrell as a novelist to myself as achauffeur.

Thenextmorningatthehotel,temptationwasagainwaitingforme.Thistimeitcameintheformofaletterfrommyprospectivefather-in-law.IthadbeensentfromCapeMaytomyaddressinNewYork,andbymyservantforwardedinanenvelopeaddressedto"FrederickFitzgibbon."

Itwaswhatintheworldofcommerceiscalleda"follow-up"letter.Itrecalledthe termsof his offer tome, and improvedupon them. Itmade it clear thatevenaftermeetingmeMr.Farrellandhiswifewerestillanxioustostandforme as a son. Theywere good enough to say they had foundme a "perfectgentleman."TheyhopedthatafterconsideringtheirpropositionIhadcometolookuponitwithfavor.

Ashisson,Mr.Farrellexplained,myannualallowancewouldbetheinterestononemilliondollars,anduponhisdeathhisentirefortuneandpropertyhewouldbequeathtome.Hewaswilling,evenanxious,toputthisinwriting.Inaweekhewould return toFairharborwhenhehoped to receivea favorableanswer.Inthemeantimeheenclosedalettertohishousekeeper.

"Don'ttakeanythingforgranted,"heurged,"butgotoFairharborandpresentthis letter.See theplace foryourself.Spend theweek thereandact likeyouweretheowner.Myhousekeeperhasorderstotakeherordersfromyou.Don'trefusesomethingyouhaveneverseen!"

Thispartofthelettermademefeelasmeananduncomfortableasawethen.The open, almost too open,methods ofMr. Farrellmademy ownmethodsappearcontemptible.HewasurgingmetobehisguestandIwasplayingthespy.Butagainstmyselfmyindignationdidnotlast.Aletter,bearingaspecialdelivery stampwhicharrived later in theafternoon fromMrs.Farrell turnedmyindignationagainsther,andwithbitterness.Shealsohadbeenspying.Herletterread:

ThePinkerton I employed to reportonyou states that after losingyou for aweekhe locatedyouatNewBedford, thatyouare livingunder thenameofFitzgibbon, and that youhavemadeyourself conspicuous by attentions to a

young person employed in a shop. This is for me a great blow anddisappointment, and I want you to clearly understandMr. Farrell's offer ismadetoyouasanunmarriedman.Icannotbelieveyourattentionsareserious,butwhethertheyareseriousornot,theymustcease.ThedetectivereportsthepairofyouarenowthetalkofFairharbor.Youaremakingmeridiculous.Idonot want a shop-girl for a daughter-in-law and you will either give up heracquaintanceorgiveupHarborCastle!

I am no believer in ultimatums. In attaining one's end they seldom provesuccessful.Itorethenoteintotinypieces,anddefiantly,withPollyintheseatbesideme,drove into theopencountry.At firstwepickedourway throughNew Bedford, from the sidewalks her friends waved to her, and myacquaintancessmiled.Thedetectivewasright.Wehadindeedmadeourselvesthetalkofthetown,andIwasdeterminedthetalkmustcease.

WehadreachedRugglesPointwhenthecardevelopedanillness.Igotouttoinvestigate.OnbothsidesoftheroadweretallhemlocksandthroughthemtothewestwecouldseethewatersofSippicanHarborinthelastyellowraysofthesunasitsankbehindRochester.Overheadwasthegreatharvestmoon.

Pollyhadtakenfromthepocketof thecarsomemapsandguide-books,andwhileI liftedthehoodandwasdeepin themachineryshewasturningthemover.

"What,"sheasked,"isthenumberofthiscar?Iforget."

AsIhavesaid,Iwaspreoccupiedanddeepin themachinery; that is,withapair of pliers I was wrestling with a recalcitrant wire. Unsuspiciously Ianswered:"Eight-two-eight."

Amoment later I heard a sharp cry, and raisedmyhead.With eyeswide interror Pollywas staring at an open book.Without appreciatingmydanger Irecognizeditas"Who'sWhoinAutomobiles."ThevoiceofPollyroseinacryofdisbelief.

"Eight-two-eight,"sheread,"ownedbyFletcherFarrell,HudsonApartments,NewYorkCity."Sheraisedhereyestomine.

"Isthattrue?"shegasped."AreyouFletcherFarrell?"Ileanedintothecarandgotholdofherhand.

"Thatisnotimportant,"Istammered."Whatisimportantisthis:WillyoubeMrs.FletcherFarrell?"

Whatshesaidmaybeguessedfromthefact thatbeforewereturnedtoNewBedfordwedrove toFairharborandIshowedher thecottageI likedbest. It

wastheonewiththeoldestclapboardshingles,theoldestboxhedge,themostfragranthoneysuckles,andalawnthatwetitsfeetinthesurf.Pollylikeditthebest,too.

Bynowthedaylighthadgone,andontheshipstheridinglightswereshining,butshiningsulkily,fortheharvestmoonfilledtheworldwithgoldenradiance.As we stood on the porch of the empty cottage, in the shadow of thehoneysuckles,Pollyaskedanimpossiblequestion.Itwas:

"HowMUCHdoyouloveme?"

"Youwillneverknow,"Itoldher,"butIcantellyouthis:Iloveyoumorethana two-thousand-ton yacht, the interest on one million dollars, and HarborCastle!"

Itwasawastefulremark,forPollyinstantlydrewaway.

"WhatDOyoumean?"shelaughed.

"Fletcher Farrell of Harbor Castle," I explained, "offered me those things,minusyou.ButIwantedyou."

"I see," criedPolly, "hewanted to adopt you.He always talks of that. I amsorryforhim.Hewantsasonsobadly."Shesighedsoftly,"Pooruncle!"

"PoorWHAT!"Iyelled.

"Didn'tyouknow,"exclaimedPolly,"thatMrs.FarrellwasaBriggs!Shewasmyfather'ssister."

"ThenYOU,"Isaid,"aretherelationwhowas 'toohighandmighty'!"Pollyshookherhead.

"No,"shesaid,"Ididn'twanttobedependent."

"Andyougaveupall that," I exclaimed, "andworkedatHatchardson's, justbecauseyoudidn'twanttobedependent!"

"Ilikemyuncle-in-lawverymuch,"explainedPolly,"butnotmyaunt.So,itwas no temptation.Nomore," she cried, looking atme as though shewereproudofme,"thanitwastoyou."

InguiltyhasteIchangedthesubject.Inotherwords,Ikissedher.IknewsomedayIwouldhavetoconfess.Butuntilweweresafelymarriedthatcouldwait.BeforeconfessingIwouldmakesureofherfirst.

The next day we announced our engagement and Polly consented that it

shouldbeashortone.For,asIpointedout,alreadyshehadkeptmewaitingthirtyyears.Thenewspapersdugup the fact that Ihadoncebeenapopularnovelist,andthepicturestheypublishedofPollyprovedhersobeautifulthat,in congratulation, I received hundreds of telegrams. The first one to arrivecamefromCapeMay.Itread:

Mydearboy,youruncleelect sendshisheartiestcongratulations toyouandlove to Polly.Don'tmake any plans until you hear fromme am leaving to-night.FLETCHERFARRELL.

InterrorPollyfledintomyarms.EvenwhenNOTinterroritwasapracticeIstronglyencouraged.

"Wearelost!"shecried."Theywilladoptusinspiteofourselves.Theywilllock us up for life in Harbor Castle! I don'tWANT to be adopted. I wantYOU!Iwantmylittlecottage!"

Iassuredhersheshouldhaveher littlecottage;Ihadalreadybought it.Andduring the two weeks before the wedding, when I was not sitting aroundBoston while Polly bought clothes, we refurnished it. Polly furnished thelibrary,chieflywithmyownbooks,and"TheLogof theJOLLYPOLLY."Ifurnishedthekitchen.Foramancannotliveonhoneysucklesalone.Myfutureuncle-in-lawwasgentlebutfirm.

"You can't get away from the fact," he said, "that youwill bemy nephew,whetheryoulikeitornot.So,bekindtoanoldmanandlethimgivethebrideawayandletherbemarriedfromHarborCastle."

Inherwhite andgreenHighFlier car and all of her diamonds,Mrs.FarrellcalledonPollyandbeggedthesameboon.

Weweretoohappytoseeanyoneelsedissatisfied;sothoughwehadplannedthequietestofweddings,wegaveconsent.Somehowwesurvivedit.Butnowwerecallitonlyasthatterribletimewhenwewereneveralone.

Foronceinthehandsofourrichrelationsthequietweddingwehadarrangedbecamearoyalalliance,aFieldoftheClothofGold,thechiefpointofattackforthemoving-picturemen.

TheyouthswhocamefromNewYorktoactasmyushersinformedmethattheUshers'Dinner atHarborCastle-fromwhich, after the fish course, Ihadfledwasconsideredbythemthemostsuccessfulushers'dinnerintheircareerofcrime.Myuncle-in-Lawalsotestifiestothis.

He ought to know. At four in the morning he was assisting the ushers inthrowingthebestmanandthebutlerintotheswimming-pool.

Forourhoneymoonheloanedustheyacht."Takeherasfarasyoulike,"hesaid."AfterthisshebelongstoyouandPolly.AndfindabetternameforherthanHarborLights.

Itsoundstoomuchlikeastay-at-home.AndIwantyoutwotoseetheworld."Ithankedhim,andsuggestedhemightrechristenhertheJOLLYPOLLY.

"Thatwasthename,"Ipointedout,"ofthefamouswhalerownedbyCaptainBriggs,yourwife'sfather,anditwouldbeacomplimenttoPolly,too."

Myuncle-in-law-electagreedheartily;butmadeonecondition:

"I'llchristenherthat,"hesaid,"ifyouwillpromisetowriteanewLogoftheJOLLYPOLLY."Ipromised.Thisisit.

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