The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-06-01

don't know where 10 90"
A deep groan fell from bis lips. and
he began with heavy tread to walk
up and down again.
Can't you think OF any place she
might have goneGa he begged. "fou
know all her friends. Where would
she go If she had determined TO leave
homer
Leave homer gasped Mrs. Rob
ertson. her jaw dropping.
Yes I" faltered Marcus. Il don't
know whether she told you or not,
but we had some words before / start
ed for Cortland"
"0f course she didn't tell me" came
from behind the ladys handkerchief
"She never tells me anything. but
heard it, You were quarreling over
the squatters, and IN Ewes condition,
think you might spare her little.
She's not strong So much wrang-
ling makes her sick ~ wish Bob were
home. Oh, dear, can't stand it,
ITS Bob that's made all this trou-
BILE snarled Marcus. He's spent
several months trying to circumvent
me about the squatters. and Eve and
| would have had no quarrels at all
IL he had attended TO his own af-
fairs"
He spoke moodily. conscious that he
had treated his wife harshly, yet un-
willing to admit II.
Mrs. Robertson, touched with the
same feeling, sat up, wiping her face
and brushing back her hair She. too,
remembered now all the bitter words
she had flung at her daughter.
Marcus" she said. "If-we-get
Eve back again"
"If we get herr he interJected, his
face going snow-white. "0f course,
wen get her Why say such ridiculous
things?" He turned away to hide the
emotion her tremulous question had
filled him with. ut will be my death
II we don't" he ended.
Mrs. Robertson raised on her el-
bow.
But Marcus" she exclaimed.
.there's been something on my mind
ever since-since- oh, you don't
think the squatters have her, do your"
II don't know" moaned Marcus, and
he sat down quickly as IL his legs
would no longer bear the weight Of
his body.
And they were sitting thus, each
busy with his own unspeakable unhap-
piness, when the servant entered.
There's a girl here, sir" she be-
gan, and Marcus sprang up.
"Bring her in," he cried. Bring her
N instantlyl"
The maid hesitated.
'She's queer looking, sir" she said
.imidly, "and she's wet through. She's
,ne of them squatters."
Bring her in, | said" ordered Mar
,us once more, and the girl went out,
losing the door softly.
Pollyop crept into the warm room,
Ter teeth chattering. her legs un-
iteady. Her first glance fell upon
Mrs. Robertson who, when she saw
Ter, made husky throat sound. Then
he brown, fearful eyes travelled to
he tall man, no longer an enemy to be
lated. merely a wounded human crea
ure, like her dear ones In the Silent
'ity, TO be loved and comforted.
Il got your woman In my shack"
aid Pollyop, straight TO him, swallow
ng.
God be thanked" screamed Mrs.
robertson.
Something snapped In MacKenzie's
cad, and for moment he feared he
1as losing his mind. Polly thought
y the blank expression of his face
hat his wits had gone completely
gnoring the woman whom she de-
ested. she went rapidly to MacKen-
les side.
Il had her roped up in the bed when
GU was there tonight. mister" she
old him, the words tumbling over
lch other in the haste Of confession.
were goin' to chop her head of TO
et even with you. But-but-my dead
ranny Hope, an the Biggest Mann
" In All the World wouldn't let me
1t seemed an eternity to the quak-
lg young speaker before Marcus
rev up his head and took a long
resth.
"She-she's sliveI" he demanded
You're very sure she isn't
sad5 Girl" he bounded up and
-asped Pollyop's arm. III you lie to
e."
Il amt lyin' TO you. mister" inter
lpted Polly duly "YOu don't need
be scared for Miss Eve. but now
lud best come along 10 my hut an
4 her She's m0uruin for you Ia
ranny Hopes coop-hole. covered up
IN blankets"
Something Ike . huge f.f struck
ackenzie The conviction that the
uatter girls words Were true lifted
Oh Immediately from The bottom
.Pths 81 hopeiessuess The sudden
rush q joyous relief brought with
3 mental Illumination. and be saw
ueeIf s. others had seen him. The
rrible. hIEhtlug uncertainty he had