The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-05-18

laughed, wicked laugh. no more Ike
the ripple which Daddy Hopkins had
loved TO hear than the bark Of = wolf
is IKE the lsrk's morning song
Tears rose into Eyelyn's eyes and
rolled down her cheeks. The smile
faded slowly from Polly's face Ever
had exeraclating agony touched her
like sunbeam through a rift In .
storm cloud. the old Polly leaped up to
take heed OF anothers hurt. This feel
ing She crushed down. but she put the
AK on the floor aud squatted beside the
bed.
Scarcely had she done this before a
loud knock cafne on the door She
threw the blankets over Evelyn and
went swiftly forward and lifted the
bar.
Larry Bishop thrust the upper half
Of his body into the room.
"old Marc an his gang are 10 the
Silent City lookln' for his woman, he
whispered hoarsely.
where's Lyer came In hiss from
the sqGatter girl.
"Off up the road watching" returned
Bishop 'what'd you do to er. bratf"
Come in" said Polly. In an under.
tone grasping the end of his scarf
and pulling him through the doorway.
IAN II Mackenzie comes here. yappin'
for his woman. laugh at limbaugh.
an laugh till your sides split. Larry"
She closed the door. pushed Bishop
into a chair, and then deliberately
crawled into bed beside Evelyn. Upon
the inert figure Of the bound girl she
piled two pillows.
Then she and Larry waited. scarcely
breathing until voices seemed TO come
through the clapboards from every di.
rection.
rush OF feet brought Bishop bolt
upright.
Keep settin'," breathed Pollyop.
They'll be stoppin' here fast enough !"
OF 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 grlnned
AT him.
whats the matter, misteri" she
asked. showing an expanse of even
white teeth. "what do you mean by j
Dustin into my house like this. slr?"
Mackenzie threw glance from the
girl to the squatter In the chair.
MY wifes gomez he cried In des-
peraiion. IL"
$50? Now is sheT" broke In Polly.
smiling wider. you don't say Well.
golly me That's too bad. Some other
Teller run of with 'er-mebbei"
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--hls 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 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, I don't |
know how long" he groaned aloud. the
haggard expression deepening In the
lines about his mouth as he spoke. "Tll
give--rll give more money than any
of you ever saw" He flung around ON |
Bishop and thrust out an unfortunate
hand.
Larry had been watching him COW
ertly, In moody silence. When Marcus |
addressed him directly. he threw back
his head and let out loud malevolent |
sounds more like the bowls Of hyenas |
than the laugh of q human being; and |
Polly Hopkins Joined In again. too.
dreadful sounds that made her thin,
lovely face look old.
This ID queer place 10 come Tor |
your woman" she tainted Mackenzie.
''To squatter's shack. huhf | didn't
know before that rich women came to
the Silent City. least of all, yourn."
Mackenzie took step toward her.
"oh, was sure she wasn't here" he
thrust In eagerly. sBut | want help
the aid of every one OF you. Money"
he cried again. conyulslvely. Money.
do you hearf Money, ! said"
Polly was witnessing just the picture
that she had been holding In her minds
eye for many days.
money can't buy everything. mis-
ter" she jeered at him. "Mebbe your
woman's In the snow Tomorrow
day. Mebbe you'll miss
'er II she amt home with you. Scoot
out OF here. Don't be laggin, Old
Marc, or she might freeze to death
s0meWheres. It's bad night"
The last statement. true 10 every
word. brought deep sob from Mae
Kenzie's throat Il was Immediately
followed by more Of the bitter laugh