The Lamar register., 1922-05-10
-sSsJLE

oppressed Uy ms uttrr IulIure 10 keep
the promise made that day before
'The Greatest Mother in the World"
and knew not how to explain it.
"Polly," he had commenced. when
PollyOp, because she was so tired. so
forlornly helpless, began to sob Bit
terly. The sight of him after all these
weary days quite overcame her.
Don't" he interjected impetuously.
"Please don't do that"
Her tears only added to the remorse
that scourged him and gave new vital
ity to his passion; but. like wall OF
fire between them, burned his Jealousy
of Oscar Bennett.
81 want to help you" he stammered.
POllyop shook her head.
you can't do nothin unless you get
my daddy back" she whispered.
"Jerry'll die"
This gave a slight opening, and Rob
ert grasped at 1t eagerly.
81 came to talk about him." he in
terrupted. "Now please don't cry any
more. Don'ti Sit down a minute"
lie placed her in a chair, going white
as his hand touched her. you say the
child is i'll, Pollyop?" he went on, but
paused as Polly nodded her head.
"Yep. he's sick all right" she re
turned, wiping her eyes.
"Then perhaps If he went away
somewhere, to place where he'd
have good food and care until his IA
ther-"
A. de hn II ri
rigidly erect, but the piteous trembling
of her lips made the young man avert
his eyes.
"Squatter babies grow on the grub
squatters give EN-" she replied huski-
ly. "All they need is bread an beans
an love" she hesitated and swallowed
hard before she continued: AN lots
of lovel That's what's ailin' Wee
Jerry. He wants his daddyi'
"But. Pollyi' Robert tried to check
the flow of her words. but she ran on:
He'd die sure in strange place.
Nope, Jerry stays in the shanty with
me-"
There was such an air of finality in
her infection and appearance that
Perciyal groaned within himself and
nervously paced the length of the
room and back. He simply could not
tell her. How could he place another
burden upon the already bowed young
shoulders?
Then the matter was taken out OF
his hands. The roll of carriage wheels,
an unusual sound in the settlement.
came distinctly TO their ears and
caused the girl to throw him
startled. questioning glance. Before
he could give her the least warning.
the door flung open, and Mackenzie.
followed by three men, came into the
shanty.
Marcus had not expected to find his
wife's cousin there after the scene of
that morning. A sneer tugged at the
corners of his mouth. Then. remem-
bering that he represented the county,
slow smile curled his lips.
$50 you're here. young man." he
snarled. "Well, muddling in this bust
ness won't do you any good Didn't /
tell you yesterday what | intended to
do; and you had the nerve to upset
my wife about II. You're making
yourself the laughing stock of the
whole town, Now you'd better 20 II
you don't want to witness little
comedy that'Il stick in your memory
for many a long day"
The speaker turned to PollyOp.
'Where's that boy?" he demanded.
InvOluntarily Polly looked toward
the cot where Wee Jerry lay asleep.
You mean the baby oh. you don't
mean Jerry?" she questioned DULY.
He held out paper which ;he squat
ter girl took as II she had been in a
stupor. She held It up tried to make
out what was printed on It. then
dropped her hand hopelessly to her
| side
With an exclamation Of pity. Robert
went TO her and took the fingers that
| clutched the paper
Polly" he said swiftly. you'll have
to give Jerry up for little while. just
a little while"
She snatched her hand away, the
document fluttering to the floor. In a
Continued on Page Five)