nds, seven dollars in money, and only an intense
desire for an education to guide her through its devious ways. But
the first night that Polly was away, her mother said an extra prayer
before the Blessed Virgin, who, being a mother herself, would
understand how much a young girl in a big city needs special care.

It was a cold, dark day when Polly with her small pack arrived at the
C.N.R. Station, and looked around her. Surely no crusader going forth
to restore the tomb of his Lord ever showed more courage than
black-eyed Polly when she set forth on this lonely pilgrimage to find
learning. She had heard of the danger of picking up with strangers,
and the awful barred windows behind which young girls languished and
died, and so refused to answer when the Travelers' Aid of the Y.W.C.A.
in friendliest tones asked if she might help her.

Polly was not to be deceived by friendly tones. The friendly ones were
the worst! She held her head high and walked straight ahead, just as
if she knew where she was going. Polly had a plan of action. She was
going to walk on and on until she came to a house marked in big
letters "BOARDING-HOUSE," and she would go in there and tell the lady
that she wanted to get a room for one day, and then she would leave
her bundle and go out and find a school and see the teacher. Teachers
were all good men and would help you! Then she would find a place
where they wanted a girl to mind a baby or wash dishes, or maybe milk
a cow; and perhaps she would have a bed all to herself. City houses
were so big and had so many rooms, and she had heard that in some of
the beds only one person slept! Having her programme so well laid out,
it is no wonder that she refused to confide in the blue serge lady who
spoke to her.

Polly set off at a quick pace, looking straight ahead of her across
the corner of the station yard, following the crowd. The Travelers'
Aid followed close behind, determined to keep a close watch on the
independent little Russian girl.

At the corner of First and Jasper, Polly stopped confused. A great
crowd stood around the bulletin board and excitedly read the news of
the Russian revolution; automobiles honked their horns, and
street-cars clanged and newsboys shouted, and more people than Polly
had ever seen before surged by her. For the first time Polly's stout
heart failed her. She had not thought it would be quite like this!

Turning round, she was glad to see the woman who had spoken to