Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-07-19

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brought it forward, and smiling the
same sinister smile. showed IT to the
pallid girl.
This" was all she said, tapping
the handle.
Evelyn struggled; and Polly
laughed a wicked laugh, no more like
the ripple which Daddy Hopkins had
loved to hear than the bark of wolf
is like the lark's morning song.
Tears rose into Evelyn's eyes and
rolled down her cheeks. The smile
faded slowly from Polly's face. Ever
had excruciating agony touched her:
like sunbeam through rift in a
storm cloud. the old Polly leaped up to
take heed of another's hurt This feel
ing she crushed down; but she put the
ak on the floor and squatted beside the
bed.
Scarcely had she done this before a
loud knock came 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 In the
Silent City lookin for his woman" he
whispered hoarsely.
Where's Lye7" came 10 hiss from
the squatter girl.
ION up the road watching" returned
Bishop. "What'd you do to 'er, brat7"
Come In" said Polly, In an under
tone, grasping the end of his scarf
and pulling him through the doorway,
IAN IL 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 clspboards from every d.
rection.
A 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 glimpse of Old
Mares agonlzed face; then she grinned
at him.
whats the matter, misterT she
asked. showing an expanse OF even
white teeth what do you mean by
Dustin into my house like this, sirT
Mackenzie threw glance from the
girl to the souatter in the chair.
aNy wife's gonel" he cried in des-
peratlon. IL
$50? Now is she? broke In Polly,
smiling wider "You don't sayl Well,
golly me That's too bad Some other
Teller run Off 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
ters to search the Storm country for
his wife--bIs bride, the very apple Of
his eye.
He did not look at all like the fash
ing-eyed enemy of her people. All at
once he had changed from a 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. "rn
give-rll give more money than any
Of you ever saw He flung around on
Bishop and thrust out an irnportunate
hand.