The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-03-03
CHAPTER iii.

u
A she rai, Polly Hopkins cogitnted
on MacKenxie's words, EveIyn's moth-
err had said that she was as odd AS she
was tilthy.
Mrs. Robertson The arrogant won.
an who lived on the hin In house al.
alost big enough 10 hold every person
IN toe Silent City ought not TO say
anything against the squatters II the
grand Indy only knew 1t, her own
daughter had stopped to d trick such
ne would put to shame any hut-wom-
an. A sQuatter wife would not leave
her mao to do for himself or deny him
before the world. Added to PoIly's
personal humiliation was MacKenzie's
threat against Daddy Hopkins.
The hope Robert Percival's words
had instllied In her seemed to die as
she Travelled. and her heart beat with
fear for should 0ld Marc get his fin
gers on Daddy Hopkins. Polly had no
doubt there would be nothing but Inn
prls0nment for him and the graveyard
for her and Jerry. She could not
think OF life without her father. Not
single night had she ever been away
from his kindly love and attention.
and Wee jerryl A vivid picture rose
before her OF the haby's grief II he
could not straddle daddy's neck and
play his father was horse.
Wien she reached the top of the
ragged rocks. she pulled up and cast d
glance out over the lake. The calling
Of her nauie made her turn swiftly
Recognizing Evelyn Rohertsons voice,
she waited while the other girl came
down the path from MacKenzle's
woods She was quite unlike the little
sQuatter A fashionable yaincoat pro-
tected her from the wet: and she cnr-
rled q light umbrella In her gloved
hand. Tie greeting between them was
one Of embarrassment.
n were goin' to end my daddy"
Polly explained. "He's somewheres
slong the lake | didn't know I'D come
on you this mornin'"
The memory OF Mrs. Robertson's
words brought q rush OF color to her
face. and she looked down at her feet.
she did not want anything to do with
any OF these people. Why should sheg
They were rich; and she was only
squatter bratf She started to walk
sway.
II said." she flung over her Shout
ecr. II we're lookin' for my daddy.
0aod.by."
Evelyn Robertson was net Interested
In Jeremiah Hopkins. AS far as she
WAS concerned, the whole Silent City
miight be washed off into the waves
end carried away. Her own troubles
tillcd her mind. The shock of her
mother's disclosure stunned her, for
without the help she had expected,
she could see no way out OF Oscar
BeRnetts clutches In the meantime,
the scaatter girl was her only means
of communication
"Wait. Poilyop, walt mlnutel
came down Just to speak TO you"
Wheeling slowly around, Polly faced
her.
what do you wantY" she asked In
euriy tones.
"Pollyop." calculated Evelyn. com.
ing swiftly 10 her side, sim almost
scared to death. My cousin, Bob--oh,
you've got TO help me again /"
Bob Then the soldier In the uni
form was Eyelyn's cousin. Bob, That
was the incest name In all the world.
name fitted fer the man who had
dropped into the Silent City to help
along the squatters. Suddenly her
mtaod changed. She forgot Oscar Ben.
nett and his odIous words, forgot that
the girl crying for her aid had allowed
her mother TO say dreadful things
against her and Daddy Hopkins If
Evelyn were related to the soldier,
then Polly Hopkins would do anything
Miss Robertson asked of her.
"What do you wantf" she repeated
shyly. blushing.
TITS this" answered Evelyn "Mr.
MacKenzie's home-and my cousin
came with him. My cousin, Robert
Percivali"
SIS your cousin handsome Teller
with long legs an face"
Poilyop stopped for lack of words.
How could she describe the fine, sym
pathetic countenance she had seen
II, IN the hut roof?
rYes.' Evelyn tnteriected, 'Bob's
awfuIIy good-iooking. and he's tall too.
Eov listen. Poilyop: you must go to
Oscsr again for me this very day-Oh,
dear. hes so .iean to inc 7"