Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-07-26

Spirit of the Storm Country.
ran her fingers under the heavy cord
with which the girl was bound
Ropes hurtin' you. huhT" she
queried.
An affirmative bob Of her head was
the only answer Mrs Mackenzie could
give.
"rr undo EN- a bit" said Polly
sulkily 'Loosenin' up a few strings
don't say you won't get what's comm
to you"
With her strong, white teeth and
deft fingers she united the heavy
knots that pinioned the slender arms.
"Did the squatters give you any
thing to eatT" she asked, rocking back
on her heels eff you was in Larry's
hut so long with that thing in your
mouth, then bet you're hungryi"
II was scarcely perceptible, the
negative shake that followed this
question.
"If you've got to die you might as
well go on full belly" ended Polly,
getting up.
She took a piece of hard bread and
poured some hot water on IT, Watch
ing Evelyn frowningly, she beat them
together with tin spoon. OF course.
the stuff was tasteiess without sugarl
Polly knew II very well, because that
was what she had for supper every
night.
She turned away from the cup in
her hand and went to a small cup
board over which hung a fiimsy cur
tain Back behind few old dishes
she had hidden a little sugar one of
the squatter women had given her.
She had kept II against Daddy Hop
kins' homecoming and for Jerry, too
perhaps. With woeful. in-caught sobs,
she poured half of II into the cup.
Then she crossed to Evelyn and picked
up the ak.
"Tm goin' to take this rag out of
your mouth" she said, IAN mind you
don't squeal, or I'll send you double
quick to your first man. Now hold
still Thisll hurt bitr'
With her eyes on the agonized face
she drew gently at the corners of the
rag stuffed into Evelyns mouth. When
It came out, Evelyn gave deep groan
and her cramped jaws settled rigidly.
I'm goin' to feed you now" said
Polly. There amt no hurry, cause
we got all night"
Then some minutes passed in silence
while the squatter girl. bit by bit,
forced the pap between Mrs. Mac
Kenzie's teeth.
"Now drink the water" she urged
grirnly. Its warm an got sugar in
it."
As IL in a trance, she got up and
placed the cup on the table. She put
a stick of wood into the stove and,
turning. caught EYelyn's eyes upon
her. Then she sat down and consid-
cred the unhappy girl who had been
delivered up to the justice Of the
Storm country.
Neither OF them spoke. One Of them
was praying duly to herself. and Polly
Hopkins was recounting mentally all
the evil deeds of Evelyn and her
naughty husband, Marcus Mackenzie.
II was necessary to keep Daddy's grief
ever before her mind and listen with
the ears Of her tortured spirit to
Jerry's shrieks to be able to keep on
with the gruesome thing she had IN
dertaken.
"You amt goin' to die till tell you
something, Miss" she broke forth. final
ly. at amt news to ron. but l just
got TO make you understand why I'm
putting you In the lake"
Weakness kept Evelyn from answer
ing. Her eyes rolled up toward the
shanty roof. then shut at the thought
Of the icy waters Of Cayuga.
Il can't hurt your wicked man 'cept-
in through You" went on PolIvop. 1--WE
squatters are soin' TO learn him les
son he won't forget as long ss he's in
this world You can bet your boots
on that :"
As II IN support Of The terrible
words, the shanty shook, rafting the
leosened bits Of tin on the roof. At the
CHASTITY sound EyelyE began to cry.
Il know just hsw Jour mann feel
esstinued Pollyop, . bitter smile dis
kaxttng her Lips inta-A-EEimace Of -pain.