PLAYING WITH FIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 13

PLAYING WITH FIRE

(By Emma Downing Coolidge.)

“ ’Smatter, pretty Poll?” —“Nothing!” insisted Polly definantly, fitting up with surprising quickness and iriping her eyes on a wee wisp of laoe. “Really 1 Woman’s logic, certainly! My comfort is not wanted. Shall I 'recommend Mr Grayson, if he comps?” "Run away, little boy,” said Aunt ■Dorothy, entering quietly, and politely ,showing Bert the door. “Well?” Polly buried her face in her comforter’s shoulder, and finished the interrupted cry. "I’ve been so foolish. Aunt Dot, and I wish I hadn’t,” ruefully. “No doubt 1” grimly, but lovingly. “It’s about Philip Grayson, and really it’s very funny. It all came from r conversation several months ago. We were discussing a certain well-known woman, and he spoke admiringly of her frank, childlike character and naivete, of her lack of self-consciousness, and nil that, you know. Of course I saw the possibilities of such a situation—specially in leap year,” half merrily. “O, Polly!” in resigned understanding. “So you impulsively played the fdle of fair, confiding maiden, and fooled him very nicely', I warrant. Why will you do so, child? Always ready lor a lark. You thought to teach him that in modern life and under present social conditions there are various drawbacks to such childlike impetuosity.” “And I’ve done it with a vengeance, tie thinks I’m very much in love. 0 ! I’ve proved my theory entirely to my satisfaction! Frankness, simplicity! On the stage, yes’’—dramatically—“hut in real life—Pshaw! O! Aunt Dot, if you could have seen him when I pretended to bo piqued at some fancied Inattention!” Aunt Dot joined in the girl’s mirth. “Bo didn’t altogether approve of me”— sarcastically. “Ho bore admirably my evident enjoyment of bis society, but ho is shocked by my boldness, though ho is too much a gentleman to show . it. In spite of his boasted keen perception, ho hasn’t a breath of suspicion, and”—plaintively—“X wish he had In a moment she continued. ‘That is the trouble now, I dare not toll him. He would never forgive so successful a trick.” “Why tell him?” searchingly. “Surely the opinion of one you may never *ee after this winter will not matter to you. You’ve had your fun. He unconsciously has learned the desired lesson. Lot it drop.” Polly hesitated. “But I want his respect—at least. He is nice. I want him to think the same of mo, which ho can hardly do as things a re now. I want him to know the real Polly, not her imitation of that other woman. Roor man,” laughing through her tears, “he’s probably expecting mo to take advantage of the year, if not a breach of promise suit.” Aunt Dorothy looked tenderly at the flushed, wistful face. “So this childlike sympathy was his ideal of womanhood, and naughty Polly wilfully concealed her true character—for,' dear, you’re just the kind he meant—in-order

to show him tlio exaggeration of tho type. Som-onne Polly. Icaincn a lesson, nicht war." ’ Polly’s head, which had rested in the cushions on the window seat, was suddenly raised as a murmur of voices in the adjoining room reached her. “Don’t ho a fool, Philip! Dot bygones bo bygones. Why, man, aren’t yon sufficiently thankful to find out the truth in time to prevent an unfortunate mistake without getting in a hull because a clever woman deceived you." Is it any disgrace to have a girl’s sharp wits conquer yours? Besides, old man, be honest with yonrseli, ditin t it hint to find tlio sister of your college chum a forward girl and not tlio counterpart of his enthusiastic description? ’ For a moment Polly listened breathlessly, (hen came tho answerjirm and with fresh determination: “Ves, Bert, it did, because—well! Pride bo hanged !” Ho crossed the room in long strides and they heard his hand on the doorknob as'ho paused on the threshold, and cried, with a sudden happy laugh that brought a. light to ono hearer’s eyes, ■T’m going to find Polly !”