Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-03-08


Of Marcus Mackenzie. In Ithaca and
about it she had seen many soldiers
but never anyone like MacKenzie's
companion. He was dressed in an Of
ficer's uniform. and, as his horse
whirled him into better view, the
frown faded from Pollyops brow as
she gazed wonderingly upon him. She
marked his flashing glances that
swept the Silent City She noted with
a strange little thrill the beauty of the
clearcut features. the fun, kindly
mouth and the smooth tanned skin
Marcus Mackenzie was speaking
rapidly, and though Polly could not
hear what he said, she knew he was
talking Of the squatters. Then words
that made her Jingle with Joy came
distinctly to her ears.
Put you can't turn LOT of folks
out of their homes. Mare rang forth
a deep rich voice Where under the
heaven would they go if you did?"
Anywhere they d--n please
snarled Mackenzie contemptuously.
"If they were all dead, they'd be bet
ter off and Ithaca too"
Polly's hand frightened on the ak
handle To lei II fly straight into the
face Of the naughty Ithacan would
have been satisfaction indeedi
''Have you tried to buy them out -
asked the other.
"No, and l don't intend TO-" was the
sharp retort They'll go because I'll
make them 90 that's all I've been
too busy for the last two years to
make much of dent among them,
but, now I'm home for good, mean to
clear them OFF," An outward gesture
of the officers hand told Polly he was
not in sympathy with MacKenzle's
threat "You can't judge Of the sl'ua.
.tion, Bob Marcus Went on '.because
you've been gone for years. Evelyn
can tell YOU what they are. though"
The speaker wheeled his horse and
pointed his riding whip straight at the
Hopkins shanty: and Poily's curly
head drew quickly hack.
One IF the worst of them lives
There - she heard plainly. "He's sort
of a mayor of the settlement Jere-
miah Hopkinsl And snch a tribe as
that hut holds can't be found any
where else in this county A worth
less tangle-haired girl and a boy half
In the grave. and ] heard only this
morning they're harhoring bag by
the name Of Hope They live like pigs
too
"The poor things haven't much of a
chance 70 live otherwise. have they.
MarcT" The question evidently re-
quired no answer. "well. what do YOU
think Of that?r he went ON Then he
read aloud: "'1f yonr heart is loving
and kind come right in. II IT amt.
scoot Off Why. that's beautiful !"
The warm. velvety brown the rich
mans threats had made, n hard glare
was brought hack to PolIy's eyes by
these words. She could have Rugged
the speaker as hard as she sometimes
did Daddy Hopkins!
Rubbish /" sneered Mackenzie.
Perfect rot! Your aunt was saying
this morning that the Hopkins girl Is
as odd rs she is filthy. The very idea
Of having thing like that hung up -
Polly saw the younger man reach
out and Touch the speaker with a
gloved hand.
love isn't rubbish, wherever you
ind IT, old chap" he exclaimed. at
gives even a squatter shack glimpse
Of heaven. You ought 10 help these
people. Marc Give them chance;
make something Of them. and they
won't bother you.'
Burning tears filed Polly's eyes To
hear him speak in sympathy with her
fishermen friends touched her deeply
And he had spoken nf love in the same
way Granny Hope did too. Pollyop
had never imagined Old Mares kind
ever thought Of the meek-the lowIy-
and the hungry Far above the world,
up in the skies beyond the clouds
where the blue was, right alongside
the crucified Savior, Polly Hopkins
placed this new friend of the Silent
City. Her thoughts were interrupted
by Mackenzie speaking.
They're pigs. Bob, tell yon." he
repeated roughly. land what ] brought
you down here today for
Polly lost the rest Of bis sentence
Back and yet farther back she slipped
over the roof she had never heard
anything so dreadful as this In fact.
she had always quite liked pigs but
she had never thought Of comparing
the shanty or Granny Hope and Daddy
Hopkins to harnyard and It's occTI-
pants.
She heard the men ride away; and
once more she SAT up. BY raising her
body a little she could see them walk
ing their horses along the road that
led It's crooked way through the set.
tleinenF
Mackenzie's straight, thiek-set Gg-
ure made her shudder, but the slim.
boyish one beside him brought a queer
little thrin 10 her heart.
Hes & beautiful angel himself"
she murmured. and taking up the ak,
she slipped down the tree and dropped
to the wet ground. Granny Hope
Strengthened up as Polly entered the
kitchen. Swiftly the girl crawled out
Of her Tather's trousers and tossed
back her curig.
whats the matter, pretty bratT'
Queried the woman drowsily.
Il got to find Daddy" replied Polly,