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POLLYANNA "Oh, it wasn't me, truly—not really, you know; not so much as it was Aunt Polly."

The doctor turned with a quick start.

"Your—aunt!" he ejaculated.

Pollyanna gave a happy little bounce in her seat.

"Yes. And it's so exciting and lovely, just like a story, you know. I—I'm going to tell you," she burst out, with sudden decision. "He said not to mention it; but he wouldn't mind your knowing, of course. He meant not to mention it to her."

"Her?"

"Yes; Aunt Polly. And, of course he would want to tell her himself instead of having me do it—lovers, so!"

"Lovers!" As the doctor said the word, the horse started violently, as if the hand that held the reins had given them a sharp jerk.

"Yes," nodded Pollyanna, happily. "That's the story-part, you see. I didn't know it till Nancy told me. She said Aunt Polly had a lover years ago, and they quarrelled. She didn't know who it was at first. But we've found out now. It's Mr. Pendleton, you know."

The doctor relaxed suddenly. The hand holding the reins fell limply to his lap.

"Oh! No; I—didn't know," he said quietly.

Pollyanna hurried on—they were nearing the Harrington homestead. 182