of
remembrance. I don't know what would make you happiest; but you
may chose, 'to the half of my kingdom'--anything but Lone Star.
I'm afraid I should hate to give up Lone Star!"

Polly laughed, and the Colonel laughed too, which put the talk on
a cheery footing, and she assured him that she should n't have
chosen Lone Star anyway, because she did n't know how to take care
of a horse, and had n't any place to keep him in.

Then her face grew suddenly serious, and she sat gazing at the
pattern of the rug so long that Colonel Gresham smiled to himself.

"Is it too much of a problem?" he finally asked. "Can't you
think of anything within my power that would give you a little
happiness?"

"Oh, yes!" Polly answered quickly; "but I'm afraid--" she
stopped.

"Afraid of what?" he questioned.

"Afraid it is too much to ask," she replied softly, lifting her
thoughtful eyes to his.

"No, it is n't! Anything that will add to your happiness--"

"Oh, this would make me very happy!"

"Out with it then! 'To the half of my kingdom,' remember!"

"And you won't be offended?"

"I give you my word," he smiled.

"Well," she began slowly, "I should like best of all to have you
--oh, I wish you would forgive David's mother, and love her
again! She loves you so much!"

For several minutes--it seemed an hour to Polly--the marble
clock over the fireplace, with the bronze mother and child sitting
there, tick-tocked its way uninterruptedly. The little girl did
not dare to look up. Her heart beat very fast indeed. It hurt
her to breathe. Had she made Colonel Gresham so angry that he
would never speak to her again? She wondered how long it would be
before she could gain enough courage for just one glance at his
face. The he spoke.

"You have given me a hard task, little Polly! It would be easier
to go through the fever again!" His voice was gentle--very
gentle, but sad.

"Oh, please, please excuse me!" she exclaimed earnestly. "I ought
not to have asked it! I'll take it all back! You said what would
make me happiest--and so--and so--" She put her face down in her
hands. "I did n't mean to hurt you!" she sobbed, "I did n't! I
did n't!"

"Child! Child! This will never do! It is I who am wholly to
blame! You have done nothing to excuse. I shall keep my promise
to you, if you are sure that what you have asked will give you the
greatest happiness."

He waited for her answer--Polly never guessed with what selfish