CHAPTER XVIII

VICTOR VON DALIN

For several days the weather was showery, not very pleasant for walking, and Polly stayed away from the June Holiday Home.

“What will Miss Nita think!” she mourned.  “Miss Sniffen has probably forgotten by this time that she sent me home.  Wouldn’t it do for me to go over for just a little while this fore-noon, while the officers are all busy?”

“I think you had better wait until Saturday,” her mother decided.

So Polly sighed and ran off to write a little note to her 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.