The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1922-04-05

couldn't do that, ma'am," she
choked ~ just couldn't"
"But you said you would" retorted
Evelyn sharply. you must can
save the squatters. and | will; but
only on condition that you help me get
rid of Oscar Bennett. Mr.. Mackenzie
is going to buy the Bennett farm,
and"
AN Oscar1l be goin' away some
where's else?" put in Polly. us that
IL? He'd take me away from Daddy
Hopkins an from"
She caught herself just in time. She
had II on the tip Of her tongue TO add
the name Of Robert Percival but of
course she did not.
II couldn't ever do that" she ended.
Never never r."
The blue eyes looked into the brown
eyes seriously.
"Oh yes. you can" insisted Miss
Robertson. Oscars not the worst in
the world. and he'll have lot of
money when he leaves Ithaca. He
loves you, PollyOp, and he'd make life
easy and pleasant for you"
A thoughtful moment or two passed,
while Polly Hopkins gazed at her
hands locked together in her lap.
,"You can't tell me nothin' about Os-
car" she remarked at length. 81 know
the dirty duffer, an / don't know
nothin' good about him, you can bet
your boots on that" She paused while
through the open doorway her eyes
were fixed upon a ieecy cloud, high
up in the deep blue sky. But that
don't make no difference" she contin-
ued. IF linked up with Oscar would
that pup. Old Marc, let the squatters
stay in the Silent City?"
"Why, Polly dear, of course he will !!
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
mftal 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.
al couldn't do it, ma'am," she
walled Il just couldn't do thatl"
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 a little time TO
think ii over I'll bring Oscar to see
you some day when Mr.. Mackenzie
aod my cousin Robert are away
At the sound of that beloved name,
Polly'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-
chanicaly resumed her sewing II
seemed that her hearts JOY had wholly
died within her. Patiently she tried
10 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 a time she
had been before. Here she waded
through the brook and sank down be-
side II. Afind-picture 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 yisioned the 81
lent City, safe at last. and saved by
her. Her head sank into her hands ;
and sobs racked her slender body.
But It was not long before she sat
up and tossed back her curls. II
seemed as IL she had heard voice.
She turned her head slowly; and 10,
Robert Percival was standing across
the creek. smiling at her.
IT followed you, Polly Hopkins" he
called, and springing across the water,
he added: you ran so fast lost you
at the corner of the ragged rocks, and
It's taken me all this time to find you"
He sat down beside her and took her
hands; but Polly could not look up
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 glad
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
q chance to say half wanted to.
had something for you. too, but
couldn't get away until today to bring
II down."
He pulled little roll OF paper from
his pocket and handed IL to her. Won
deringly she opened IL, and there was
an exact reproduction Of ''The Great
est Mother In the World"
Polly was so overcome she contin
ued silent.
Don't you like II. little PollyopT
queried Robert, putting his fingers un
der her chin and raising her face Il
his.
! aYs whispered. blushing