Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-08-09


know whether she told you or not,
but we had some words before l start
ed for Cortland"
"of course she didn't tell me-" came
from behind the lady's handkerchief
"She never tells me anything, but i
heard it. You were quarreling over
I the squatters, and in Ewes condition,
think you might spare her little.
She's not strong So much wrang-
ling makes her sick IL wish Bob were
home Oh, dear, l can't stand it,"
ITS Bob that's made all this trou-
ble,' snarled Marcus. Hes spent
several months trying to circumvent
me about the squatters, and Eve and
l would have had no quarrels at all
if he had attended to his own af-
fairs"
i He spoke moodily, conscious that he
had treated his wife harshly, yet I'M
/ willing to admit 1t.
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. "Of course,
wen get her. Why say such ridiculous
thlngs7" He turned away to hide the
emotion her tremulous question had
filed him with. ut VIII be my death
If we DON'T" he ended.
Mrs. Robertson raised on her ell
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 If his legs
would nc longer bear the weight of
his body.
1 And they were sitting thus, each
busy with his own unspeakable unha-
piness, when the servant entered.
There's girl here, sir" she be-
gan, and Marcus sprang up.
Bring her in" he cried. Bring her
! in instantlyr
The maid hesitated.
shes queer looking, sir" she said
timidly, land she's wet through. She's
one of them squatters"
''Bring her In, | said" ordered Mar
Gus once more, and the girl went out,
closing the door softly.
Pollyop crept into the warm room.
her teeth chattering, her legs I'M
steady. Her first glance fell upon
Mrs. Robertson who, when she saw
her. made husky throat sound. Then
the brown, fearful eyes travelled to
the tall man, no longer an enemy to be
| hated, merely wounded human crea-
ture. like her dear ones in the Silent
City. to be loved and comforted.
II got your woman in my shack"
said Pollyop, straight to him, swallow
| ing
"God be thanked" screamed Mrs.
Robertson
Something snapped in Mackenzie's
head. and for moment he feared he
| was losing his mind. Polly thought
by the blank expression of his face
that his wits had gone completely.
| Ignoring the woman whom she de-
tested, she went rapidly to MacKen-
zie's side.
81 had her roped up in the bed when
| you was there tonight, mister" she
| told him, the words tumbllng over
each other In the haste Of confession.
II were goIn' to chop her head OF to
get even with you. But-but-my dead
| Granny Hope, an the Biggest Man,
my In All the World wouldn't let me-"
| 1t seemed an eternity to the quak-
ing young speaker before Marcus
threw up his head and took long
| breath.
"She-she's aliver' he demanded
hoarsely. You're very sure she isn't
deadf Girl" he bounded up and
grasped Pollyop's arm, eff you lie to
| me"
~ amt lynn to you, mister" inter-
rupted Polly duly. 4You don't need
to be scared for Miss Eve, but now
you u jest NuAuC dAoAiS " my nut az
get her. She's mournin' for you in
Granny Hopes coop-hole. covered up
with blankets"
Something like q huge fist struck
Mackenzie. The conviction that the
squatter girls words were true lifted
him Immediately from the bottom
depths of hopelessness. The sudden
thrush of joyous relief brought with
| 1t a mental Illumination, and he saw
himself as others had seen him. The
| terrible, bllghting uncertainty he had
| borne for few maddening hours the
girl before him had known for
months. II she were to blame for his
suffering, what was the measure OF
his own responsibility
He turned swiftly to his mother-ln-
! law and said huskily:
"Call some one to get this child
some dry clothes. Take anything Of
Ewes you can find that will keep her
warm, and for Gods sake. take those
| ragged boots of her feetr' He sprang
to the bell. "Tll order the team"
When he had given his orders to the
servant who appeared at the door. he
sank back into chair, and Mrs. Rob
ertsoa went swiftly out.
| Utterly oblivious Of the squatter
girls presence. Marcus Mackenzie
buried his face in his hands The new