ed Polly.

Colonel Gresham laughed, a gentle, mellow laugh, quite in harmony
with the happy-lined face and the graying hair.

"I wish I had a chair to offer you," he said, looking about him, as
if expecting one to pop into sight. "I suppose I'm indebted to
David and Leonora for this visit."

"No, Colonel Gresham, I came to see you especially this time. I
was going to ask them what they thought of a little plan I have;
but they are not necessary--and you are!"

"Ah! a plan? I wait on your pleasure!" The Colonel bowed with
mock gravity.

"Thank you!" chuckled Polly. "Perhaps you won't when you know
about it. But I want to see Lone Star first--oh, he's just as
beautiful as he ever was!" She patted the neck of the handsome
creature and stroked his nose.

The horse whinnied at the attention and eyed her with seeming
delight.

"I believe he remembers me, and I haven't spoken to him for--oh,
how long is it?"

"My memory cannot extend so far." Colonel Gresham was evidently in
a whimsical humor this afternoon.

Lone Star was made happy with more caresses and a full measure of
oats, and then the Colonel and Polly walked slowly up to the house.

"When Polly unfolded her plan in regard to the Home ladies Colonel
Gresham's face lighted with interest.

"You can have two of my cars," he said, "on one condition--no,
two--that I may drive the big one and that you will sit on the
front seat beside me."

"Oh, it won't be a bit hard for me to say yes to that!" Polly
smiled. "I should like it! Let me see, five and four are nine,
and four makes thirteen--why, they can all go--or all that are well
enough! Won't that be lovely!"

"'Lovelicious,' I think!" The Colonel looked demurely down at Polly.

"How much I used to say that!" Polly laughed. "Well, I truly think
this will be--three cars! Won't they be surprised! But we must
squeeze in Leonora and David somewhere! Probably the ladies
wouldn't all care to go, anyway. You are so good to let them have
the cars--I never thought of two--or that you could go with us! I
can't thank you half enough!"

Before Polly went home a ride was arranged for the next morning,
and her heart skipped joyfully all the long way, thinking how happy
Miss Nita and the rest would be.

Directly after luncheon she ran over to the Home.

"You look glad about something," Miss Sterling told her.

"You will be when you know," chuckled Polly. "What do you
think!--you're going to ride