Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-07-06


your boots on that" She paused while
through the open doorway her eyes
we're fixed upon fleecy cloud, high
up in the deep blue sky. "But that
don't make no difference" she contln-
ued, "If linked up with Oscar. would
that pup. Old Marc. let the squatters
stay In the Silent CityT
"Why, Polly, dear. of cours. he will!
I talked with Oscar last night, and I'll
speak to Mr.. Mackenzie just as soon
as you promise to do what Oscar
wants."
Again the smiling face Of Robert
PercIval cut across Polly Hopkins
mental vision, and through the silence
Of the shanty she head his voice-deep,
low and like music. Then the evil
face of Bennett wormed itself into her
mind. Her lids dropped, and She shud-
dered.
II couldn't do It. ma'am." she
walled. II just couldn't do that"
Evelyn arose and stood over her.
"You must. Polly" she asserted
again. "Good heavens, it's the chance
Of your life! OF course you'll do It.
Polly Hopkins. Take n little time to
think 1t over. I'll bring Oscar to see
You some day when Mr.. Mackenzie
and my cousin Robert are away"
At the sound Of that beloved name.
Polly's head fell forward.
"Scoot now," she said. her curls hid
Ing her face. "Ill think about it."
After Evelyn had gone, Polly me
chanically resumed her sewing. II
seemed that her hearts JOY had wholly
died within her. Patiently she tried
to turn her attention to the work in
| her hands. but again and again sic
caught herself sitting with idle fingers.
| Finally. worried by the conflicting
emotions that We're crOwding in upon
her. Polly flung herself into the open
to little glen where many time she
| had been before. Here she waded
through the brook and sank down he
side IT, Mind-pIcture after mind-pic
ture passed before her. She saw
Daddy Hopkins happy with Jerry ir
the shanty. no longer afraid to FISH
and hunt. Then she vIsioned the 81
lent City. safe at last. md saved by
her. Her head sank into her hands
and sobs racked her slender body.
| But II was not long before she sa'
up and tossed back her curls. L
seemed as II she had heard voice
She turned her head slowly; and 10
| Dnh cta trn
the creek. smiling at her.
81 followed you. Polly Hopkins" hi
called. and springing across the water
he added: "YOu ran SO fast I lost yor
Mt the corner Of the ragged rocks. ant
it's taken me all this time to find you.
He sat down beside her and took heI
hands; but Polly could not look uT
at him. Embarrassed beyond utter
ance. she withdrew her fingers, letting
them fall lstIessly. Robert laughed
Her lovely face, first white then scar
let. only told him that she was glat
to see him. and spoke of glrlish limo
cence. dear to all men.
| "YOu went away SO suddenly the
other night" he ran on. II didn't have
a chance to say half I wanted to.
had something for you, too, but
couldn't get away until today to bring
it down"
He pulled little roll of paper from
his pocket and handed 1t to her. Won.
deringly she opened 1t, and there was
an exact reproduction of 1.-THE Great.
est Mother in the World"
| Polly was so overcome she contln.
ued silent.
Don't you like 1t, little PollyopT
queried Robert, putting his fingers I'm.
der her chin and raising her face to
his.
"Yep!" she whispered, blushing
"Sure, sure do. love it."
"Then why don't you smile?" he de-
manded; and as she shyly compiled
with his request, he ran on: "Tve
talked with Mackenzie, and he's 50
set Confound it! He makes me so
hot can scarcely listen to him. But,
Polly dear, I'll do everything I can.
I've got money and friends as we'll as
he has. and I'll use 'em too. Will you
trust me. sweet?"
She bowed her head in grateful as.
sent. How she thrilled at the touch
| OF the warm. white hand!
Look Mt me. dearie." he begged,
and. when she did flash him a rosy
glance. he caught her to him. II love
you, little girl" he whispered.
AN loves the greatest thing In
ithaca, amt it?" she murmured in
trembling confusion.
Yes. yes" he breathed. Little
| girl-oh, my littlest dear"
! His voice trailed away, and his pas
sionate kisses made Polly Hopkins for
get everything but him. Primeval pas
sion rose within her. She had found
her man. and nothing should take him
from her.