Part 20 (1/2)

”We might not,” he objected.

”Oh, yes, we should have!” she insisted. ”Because everybody knows you're at the hospital, and they'd send word to father first thing.”

”They would, wouldn't they?” he brightened.

”Of course,” she returned confidently.

”But why doesn't he come?” he persisted.

”Oh, I don't know,” she replied cheerfully. ”Maybe he had to go away on business--father does sometimes, and can't stop for anything. But I wouldn't worry another bit, if I were you. When he comes and tells you all about it, you'll wonder why you didn't think it was all right--just as it is.”

Chris said nothing, only gazed into Polly's face, as if to gather even more a.s.surance than her words had given him.

”I'm going to tell you about a blizzard we had last winter,” Polly went on, ”when father went to New York and mother was sick, and I was all alone.” Then, seeing she had her hearer's attention, she began the story of the well-remembered February day.

Her voice was soft and soothing, and before the tale was half-told the sky-blue eyes closed and the tired little boy was asleep. This was well, as the messenger who had finally been sent to Mr. Morrow's boarding-place returned with the word that the man had not been there since early the previous day, and n.o.body knew where he had gone.

The next morning Chris received from his father a short letter saying that urgent business had suddenly called him to New York, where he had been most unexpectedly detained so that he might not be able to return home under a day or two, but that he should come to the hospital just as soon as he arrived in Fair Harbor. A number of beautiful post-cards were inclosed in the envelope, one of which was immediately laid aside for Polly, and then at once exchanged for another that might be a bit more attractive. This exchange went on for some time, until she had been allotted them all in turn, and the nurse was finally called into counsel for a last decision.

When Polly came in for a flying visit before school, she was given her present, which she received with genuine pleasure, for the little card was an exquisite creation, and the fact that Chris wished her to have the very prettiest of his treasures made it doubly dear.

Three days dragged by before Mr. Morrow again appeared at the hospital. Then it was at a much later hour than usual, and the small boy was asleep. His father insisted on awakening him, however, and their meeting, the nurse a.s.serted, was not without tears on both sides.

On the day that little Chris was to leave the hospital, Polly paid him a long visit, and there were many plans and promises for the future.

It was arranged that Chris should come up to see Polly at least every Sat.u.r.day, as soon as he was well enough, and until that time Polly was to ride across the city with her father to visit him. When, at last, the six o'clock bell told of a supper that would soon be coming in on a tray, and of the one awaiting Polly at home, the good-byes had to be said. Then the lad drew from beneath his pillow a small leather case.

”I wanted to give you something,” he said wistfully, ”so daddy bought me this. I hope you'll like it. I think it's pretty.”

Polly opened the dainty box, to find, on a cus.h.i.+on of white velvet, an exquisite pansy pin, with green-gold leaves, the blossom studded with sapphires and diamonds.

”Oh, how beautiful!” she cried delightedly. ”I never saw anything so lovely.”

”I thought you'd like it,” he beamed. ”Just hold it up to your neck--it looks sweet there! You'll keep it always to remember me by, won't you?”

”Forever,” promised Polly. ”Oh, it is so nice of your father to buy it for me!”

”He's always nice,” praised Chris. ”There couldn't be anybody better.”

And for the moment Polly almost agreed with him.

But when Dr. Dudley saw the pretty ornament he looked grave.

”It is far too expensive a present for you to accept,” he objected.

”Diamonds and sapphires are costly stones. This must be worth a great deal of money.”

”Can't I keep it then?” questioned Polly plaintively. ”It will break Chris's heart if I don't.”

”We needn't decide the matter to-night.” He looked across the table to his wife. ”What do you think?” he asked.