The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-06-02
Storm Country Polly
BY Grace Miller White
tbyIiu Browns


Keep settin',' hreathed Pollyop.
They'll be stoppin' here fast enoughl"
OF a sudden the door burst open, and
Marcus Mackenzie, covered with
snow, entered. With him were two of
his neighbors and several squatters.
Polly enjoyed a glimpse of Old
Mares agonized face; then she grinned
at him.
Whats the matter. mister" she
asked, showing an expanse of even
white teeth. what do you mean by
Dustin into my house like this, sir7"
Mackenzie threw a glance from the
girl to the squatter In the chair.
"My wife's goner' he cried In des-
peratIon. I'll"
$50? Now is she?" broke In Polly,
smiling wider. "You don't sayl Well,
golly me! That's too bad. Some other
Teller run off with 'er mebbe!'
And when she saw him trying to
master his emotion, forcing back the
heavy groans that interfered with his
efforts TO answer, she laughed. Never
before had she been reckless in his
| presence. She knew this was one time
Marcus Mackenzie did not want to
fight. He needed the help Of the squat
tiers to search the Storm country for
his wife-his bride, the very apple of
his eye.
| He did not look at all like the flash
ing-eyed enemy of her people. All at
once he had changed from a cynical,
handsome man of the world to plead
ing, pale-faced husband.
! Just then the wind shook the shanty
violently; and over his big frame
passed shudder after shudder.
"She's been gone, oh God, / don't
know how long" he groaned aloud, the
haggard expression deepening In the
lines about his mouth as he spoke. IN
| give-1'll give more money than any
| of you ever saw" He flung around on
Bishop and thrust out an importunate
hand.
Larry had been watching him coy
ertly, In moody silence. When Marcus
addressed him directly, he threw back
his head and let out loud malevolent
sounds more like the howls of hyenas
than the laugh of human being; and
Polly Hopkins Joined in again, too
dreadful sounds that made her thin
lovely face look old.
| This is queer place to come for
your woman" she taunted Mackenzie
ITO a squatter's shack, huh? / didn't
know before that rich women came t
the Silent City, least of all, yourn."
Mackenzie took step toward her.
"Oh, was sure she wasn't here" he
thrust in eagerly. But l want help
the aid of every one of you. Money
he cried again, convulsiyely. Money
do you hear? Money, said"
Polly was witnessing just the picture
that she had been holding in her mind'i
eye for many days.
Money can't buy everything, mis-
Iter," she jeered at him. H"Mebbe you
woman's In the snow. Tomorrow
Thanksgivin' day. AIebbe you'll mis-
'er if she amt home with you. 5000
out of here. Don't be laggin', Ok
Marc, or she might freeze to dealt
somewheres. It's a bad night"
The last statement, true to ever.
tword, brought IA deep sob from Mac
Kenzie's throat. 1t was immediatel.
followed by more of the bitter laugh
ter.
So changed was Polly of the Silen
City that the gaping squatters who dix
not know what was going to happier
wondered at her. They knew her nj
longer as Polly, the love-lass, or Il
Polly of the Sun.
A low rumble sounded in the girl
rhroat She coughed, then flung out
Il said, Its Il bad night! Scoo
out; mister. an look for your d-n lily
Avered woman somewheres else"
Uttering an oath, Mackenzie He'd
followed by his companions, leaving
Larry Bishop staring at the pale squat
ter girl.