Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-08-17

Ra1zPo!Iy -
WGrace Miller White 81


80 the girl that she neglected to al
Aer In. Overlooking this. Miss Rob
artsOn stepped into the room In en-
A~arTassment.
-Pollyop." she began, catching heI
breath, Il Just had to speak to yoa
In going to be married to Mr.. McKen,
de. and I came to talk to you about II
and-and to bring the baby somG
candy"
Her expression grave with surprise
Polly scrutinized her eoldly.
-Jerry'd rather have his Daddy
Hopkins than candy" she retOrted,
fr0wning.
Miss Robertson drew back q little,
shaking her head.
Il couldn't manage that, I'm afraid"
Ehe said soberly, but"
Poilyop shifted uneasily.
~Nebbe you could get Old Marc to
say I could take Jerry to Auburn,
thenf" she yentured. "Jerry1l die II
he don't see his daddy. He's gettin'
thinner an thinner every day. He's
been yelling like mad all mornin'."
Evelyn pondered on this an instant.
''Yes, / could do that. I'm sure" she
answered, smiling broadly. I'D love
% do II, too"
The forlorn droop at the corners
Of polly's mouth disappeared.
'Mebbe, II I could get something to
wear" she hesitateh.
1t had occurred to Miss Rob.
ertson how POllyop managed for CLOTH
ng. She had so much herself she was
blind to another's need; but, as she
had come to demand a favor, then per.
haps she had better offer as much as
she could.
Polly" she CALCULATED, you've been
awfully good to me, and you can have
any n Of my dresses you want, and
keep 1t too. And I'll persuade Mr..
Mackenzie to get you a permit to go
10 Auburn"
Polly felt her heart grow big. Then,
after all, she could take Wee Jerry to
bis daddy.
Il s~'spose-I s'spOse," she hesitated,
trembling, "yOu couldn't tell your cous-
In" Her throat caught In a sob but
sAe cleared II. and went on, "just tell
I'm Oscar wasn't my MANI"
Evelyn Robertson had often lived
0ver the horror Of the minutes when
The shameful secret Of her marriage
% Oscar Bennett was so nearly dis
closed to Robert Perciyal. More than
once had she congratulated herself
upon the cleverness with which she
had avoided that danger. To be sure
her escape had been at the expense
OF Polly's reputation. She regretted
fAe necessity but reasoned that a good
name could not be much OF q loss t5I
n squatter.
"of course / couldn't do that" she
returned sharply. "Why-why should
EOu want"
The sQuatter girls gaze lifted to
Ehe speakers face, and tears welled
0gex the fringed lids. Then Evelyn
read the truth; and her eyes giinted
and narrowed.
.Merciful Heavens, you're In love
with my cousin?" she exclaimed. as
that what you mean?"
The brown head fell forward, and
q Giame-hot face was hidden In the
chestnut curls.
-And he loves you, too" cried Ev.
eiyn. in disdain. what a fool / was
not TO discover that before! How per
fectiy awful! That's what has been
the matter with him for months"
She snatched Pollyop's arm and
shook her.
Its absolutely mad Of you to think
ef my cousin in that way" she con-
tinued, her voice hoarse with fear.
Promise me again you'll never tell
him about oscarT"
Pollyop shook her head.
-sTve never told nothin' /; I've said /
wonldn't," she replied thickly. almost
Hulienly.
Then Evelyn smiled. The dlmples
played hide and go seek at the cor.
neds Of her lovely mouth. The steely.
bAne CLINT faded from her eyes. leav.
ting them the color Of heavenly tints.
9Ae was certain her secret was as safe
In the breast of Polly Hopkins as II
WRS In the heart OF the dead Oscar.
"You shall see your father" she
said, dropping her hand, ''and you can
have any dress I have to wear. Come
Mp tonight, at seven. The folks will
be at dinner; and I'll slip out and bring
ksn In"
Tiaen she went away, leaving Polly
Hopkins alternately plunged Into the
depths Of despair when she thought Of
Robert Perciyal and singing with
Eisdness over the Joy in store for
Wee Jerry and Daddy Hopkins.
1t was still broad day when Polly
Hopkins left Wee Jerry playing By
the waters edge with some squatter
youngsters and started for the Robert
eon home. True to her word, Evelyn
met her in the grape arboe at seven
and hastily led her up the back Stair
10 her bedroom.
There are the closets" she said.
Take anything You like, Polly. but
hurry. The cooks in the kitchen, and
The other maids are busy. I'll 60 down
Tor fear someone viii come to find me.
There's the dinner gong"
Once alone In the beautiful room
PolIy's gaze swept its broad dImen,
sions. II did not occur to her to coye,
the least Of these gorgeous surround.
ings. She only wanted something tai
" TO Auburn. something to cele
braee her visit and 40 Daddy Hopkini
Drcud. She swung open a closet dooa
and pesred 10.