White County record., 1922-07-06
Storm Country Polly by Grace Miller White
 & Co.,

Keep settin'," breathed Pollyop. They'll be stoppin here fast enough r
 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 a glimpse of Old Marc's agonized face; then she grinned at him.
 "What's the matter, misterW she asked, showing an expanse of even white teeth. What do you mean by bustin' into my house like this, sir?"
 Mackenzie threw a glance from the girl to the squatter in the chair.
 My wtfes gonel" he cried In des- peratlon. IT,"
 "So? Now Is she7" broke in Polly, smiling wider. You don't sayi We'll golly me That's too bad. Some other feller run off with 'er-mebbe!"
 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-his bride, the very apple of his eye.
 He did not look at all like the fash ing-eyed enemy of her people. All at hn hoI oh cynical handsome man of the world to a 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. "I'll give-11l give more money than any of you ever saw" He flung around on Bishop and thrust out an importunate hand.
 Larry had been watching him coy ertly, In moody silence. When Marcus addressed him directly he threw back his head and let out loud malevolent sounds more like the howls of hyenas than the laugh of human being; and Polly Hopkins joined In again, too, dreadful sounds that made her thin, lovely face look old.
 "This is Il queer place to come for your woman" she taunted Mackenzie. 'fIo sQuatter's shack, huh2 l didn't know before that rich women came to the Silent City, least of all, yourn."
 Mackenzie took a step toward her.
 "Oh, was sure she wasn't here," he thrust in eagerly. But l want help the aid of every one of you. Money" he cried again, convulsIyely. Money, do you hear2 Money l said"
 Polly was witnessing just the picture that she had been holding in her minds eye for many days.
 Money can't buy everything, mis- ter" she jeered at him. "Mebbe your woman's In the snow. Tomorrow's Thanksgivin' day. Mebbe you'll miss 'er If she ain't home with you. Scoot out of here. Don't be laggin', Old Marc, or she might freeze to death somewheres. It's Il bad night"
 The last statement, true to every word, brought Il deep sob from Mac Kenzie's throat. It was immediately followed by more of the bitter laugh ter.
 So changed was Polly of the Silent City that the gaping squatters who did not know what was going to happen wondered at her. They knew her no longer as Polly, the love-lass, or us Polly of the Sun.
 A low rumble sounded in the girls throat. She coughed, then flung out i:
 T said, Its a bad night!' ? Scoot out, mister, an look for your d-n lily livered woman somewheres else" Uttering an oath, Mackenzie fed followed by his companions, leaving Larry Bishop staring at the pale squat ter girl.
 CHAPTER xV.