The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-03-24
CHAPTER VII.


To describe Oscar Bennett's rage
when he left the two girls In Granny
Hopes shnck would indeed be task.
Qf late Evelyn had ceased to attract
him. In the excitement OF the court.
ship he had put his best foot forward.
aud for d time after the marriage he
had found great satisfaction In the
thought that she was his. When the
gianior OF their secret honeymoon.
time had worn Off. and the farmers
crude, cruel nature had been disclosed,
Eyelyn's mad infntuatlon had disap-
peared In terrorstricken horror.
As EVELYN was finding In Marcus
Mackenzie o mate more to her taste,
Brnnett's primitive passions had burst
into sudden fame for Polly Hopkins.
The squatter girls scorn OF him. her
drawing riIlcule, only made him de-
sire her the more.
A couple Of days after the night
scene With the girls, he left HIS house
aud took his way TO the lake. He
crossed his fodder lot and plunged
into The Mackenzie forest which lay
between the railroad tracks ard the
water In his pocket he had letter
for Evelyn. He Intended. TO Kill two
birds with one stone. If he could find
Polly Hopkins alone. ne would tell her
the decision he had come to and give
her the note 10 deliver.
Oscar DID not relish entering The
Silent City by the highway. The
sauaiiers hated him as much as he
did them. more. In all probability; aud
II WAS HIS habit to give the settlement
wide berth. II he discovered any OF
them on his land, with the exception
OF Polly Hopkins, he drove them away
furiously. Oscar wns one OF those who
would rather have produced rot on
his land than give Il TO the needy.
Before vaulting the Mackenzie
fence, the sound of people talking ON
the other side halted him. pollyop's
voice came distinctly to him. and an
other voice, mans, answered her.
The deep well-bred tones Bennett was
sure did not belong 10 a squatter He
listened carefully TO pick up the Inn
port Of tie conversation. The bass
voice mumbIed something about
mother In response. the squatter
girls tones fell upon bis ear: sSome
day you'll be the biggest an most
beantifnlest daddy In the world" Then
followed the rush of departing hodfs.
Ieslousy tore at the eayesdropper. II
did not take him long to get to the top
OF the fence
S0me sound he made brought the
squatter girls head around sharply
FROM her survey OF the picture.
What d. you wantf" she asked sui
leniy frowntng at him.
oscar ia nped 70 the ground.
= come down 10 see you. Pollyop,"
he rejoincd, coming forward, 'sWho
We're you talking top
The only safe way to get along with
the farmer. Polly had concluded, was
to have nothing TO do with him.
Leave me be, Oscar Bennett r she
shriiied. II don't want nothin' to do
with you. I'm goln home"
To cut Off her retreat Oscar needed
10 take but couple of strides, and he
promptly took them
"Jeininy cricketsi" he expostulated.
sDon't re so confounded short, pollyopl
You needn't be mad because swatted
yeu one. You aren't my woman yet.
but yor.-e going to be just as soon as
can get shut of my lady Robertson"
ohserstus 40 signs of softening in the
eIrl's face, he switched his attack.
.say where'd von get that lamb?
Tkjs query wsfoIded new isrrors fol
f.atv. SHE nAH not Il ougm of til,
.,nh asssmeinx TO anyone nut aerself.