Middletown transcript., 1922-04-01

"Why, Polly. dear, of course he will |!
l talked with Oscar last night, and I'll
speak to Mr.. Mackenzie just as soon
as you promise to do what Oscar
wants."
Again the smiling face of Robert
Percival cut across Polly Hopkins
mental vision, and through the silence
OF the shanty she head his voice-deep,
low and like music. Then the evil
face of Bennett wormed itself into her
mind. Her lids dropped, and she shud-
dered.
II couldn't do It, ma'am." she
walled. II just couldn't do that"
Evelyn arose and stood over her.
"You must, Polly" she asserted
again. Good heavens, it's the chance
of your life! OF course you'll do it,
Polly Hopkins. Take little time to
think 1t over. I'll bring Oscar to see
you some day when Mr.. Mackenzie
and my cousin Robert are away"
At the sound of that beloved name.
Iolly's head fell forward.
"Scoot now," she said, her curls hid
ing her face. ''I'll think about It,"
After Evelyn had gone. Polly me-
chanically resumed her sewing. 1t
seemed that her hearts joy had wholly
died within her. Patiently she tried
to turn her attention to the work in
her hands. but again and again she
caught herself sitting with idle fingers.
Finally, worried by the conflicting
emotions that were crowding in upon
her, Polly flung herself into the open
and ran swiftly along the ragged rocks
to little glen where many time she
had been before. Here she waded
through the brook and sank down be-
side it. Mind-plcture after mind-pic-
ture passed before her. She saw
Daddy Hopkins happy with Jerry in
the shanty, no longer afraid to fish
and hunt. Then she visioned the ST.
lent City, safe at last, and saved by
her. Her head sank into her hands
and sobs racked her slender body.
But 1t was not long before she sat
up and tossed back her curls. II
seemed as if she had heard voice
She turned her head slowly; and 10
Robert Percival was standing across
the creek. smiling at her.
II followed you. Polly Hopkins" he
called, and springing across the water
he added: You ran so fast lost you
nt the corner of the ragged rocks. and
it's taken me all this time to find you
He sat down beside her and took hei
hands; but Polly could not look VI
at him. Embarrassed beyond utter
ance, she withdrew her fingers, letting
them fall llstlessly. Robert laughed
Her lovely face, first white then scar
let, only told him that she was glat
to see him, and spoke of girlish limo
cence, dear to all men.
"You went away so suddenly the
other night" he ran on. 81 didn't have
n chance to say half I wanted to.
had something for you, too, bu
couldn't get away until today to brin:
1t down."
He pulled little roll of paper from
his pocket and handed it to her. Won
deringly she. opened it, and there wa.
an exact reproduction of "The Great
est Mother in the World"
Polly was so overcome she contin
ued silent.
Don't you like 1t, little Pollyop?
queried Robert, putting his fingers un
der her chin and raising her face t,
his.
"Yep!" she whispered, blushng
"Sure, sure do. l love It,"
"Then why don't you smle?" he de
manded; and as she shyly compiled
with his request, he ran on: "I'v,
talked with Mackenzie, and he's s,
set Confound it! He makes me S,
hot can scarcely listen to him. But
Polly dear, I'll do everything I can
I've got money and friends as we'll a
he has. and I'll use 'em too VIII yo,
trust me. sweet?"
She bowed her head in grateful as
sent. How she thrilled at the toucl
of the warm. white hand!
Look at me, dearie." he begged
and, when she did flash him a ros.
glance, he caught her to him. II Low,
you, little girl" he whispered.
can loves the greatest thing II
Ithaca, amt it?" she murmured IL
trembling confusion.
Eyes, yes," he breathed. "Littl,
girl-oh, my llttlest dear"
His voice trailed away, and his pas
sionate kisses made Polly Hopkins for
get everything but him. Primeval pas
sion rose within her. She had fount
from her.