beloved
friend. It was warm in her own room, and she carried paper and
pencil out to her favorite seat on the veranda.

She was there when a man came up the front steps, a white-haired
man. He walked with a firm, quick step, and when he saw her he
came over to where she sat. He took off his hat with a courteous
bow.

"May I ask," he said in a low, pleasant voice, "if you know a lady
in the June Holiday Home named Adlerfeld, Mrs. Elise Adlerfeld?"

"Oh, yes, sir! I know her very well; that is, I know Mrs.
Adlerfeld. I am not sure that her name is Elise."

"Her husband's name was Hans Adlerfeld."

"I don't know anything about him," Polly replied; "but there's only
one Mrs. Adlerfeld there. She is a dear! I love her!"

The man's face flushed with pleasure. "Then you may, perhaps, help
me. I have sought her these two years, and only now have I found
her! I went to the door, and the lady told me I could not see her
till next Wednesday! I cannot stay. I must go back to New York,
and I must see her before I go. I begged the door-keeper to allow
me to speak with my friend for only a short moment; but she would
not. She said it was not visitor's day. Then I thought perhaps a
neighbor might help me. So I come to you. I ask you, is there any
way I can get inside to her, or she can get out to me? I beg of
you, my dear young lady, will you help me? I must see her to-day!
I cannot stay even till to-morrow!"

"That is just like Miss Sniffen" declared Polly. "She is the
superintendent. She will never let anybody in except on Wednesday
afternoon. It is a shame' I don't know--" She hesitated.
"Perhaps mother will let me go over and tell her. Please take this
chair, sir. Mother will see you about it; she will know better
than I what to do."

"Tell her, if you please, that it is Victor von Dalin, an old
friend of Mrs. Adlerfeld's, in Sweden, who desires to see her."

"Oh! are you really from Sweden?" beamed Polly. "How delighted she
will be!"

"I have not been in Sweden these two years; but I knew her well
when we lived there, a long time ago."

Polly ran off, full of excitement. How pleased the dear little
woman would be! To think Miss Sniffen should refuse him entrance!
She explained the matter to her mother.

"I will go right down," said Mrs. Dudley. "We must find some way
to bring them together without arousing suspicion."

It was finally decided that Polly should go over to the Home and up