Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-05-04

B&b rtu OF them, nell leave ithaca.
A step in the hall closed the con-
versation for the time being, and a
moment later Robert Percival Joined
them. In silence Mrs. Robertson
studied his face. She wondered what
had changed him so perceptibly in the
last little while. He looked almost
haggard to her searching eyes. She
was about to question him as to his
health when the young man turned to
Evelyn. tt
"Eve, DEAR he began hesltatingly,
II want something done very badly.
and perhaps you can accomplish It
for me-"
A lazy smile stole to Evelyn's lips.
s"And you know, Bob, I'll do It
II I can" she responded. Tell me
what's on your mind, honey"
Certainly; why, yes, indeed" inter-
jected Mrs. Robertson. "You know,
Bob. Eve and / viii do anything we
can for you r..
]. The expression of anxiety, which his
face had worn since he had seen the
last Of Polly Hopkins, lifted little.
THAT'S f1neT" he exclaimed heartily.
'-There's nothing like q fellows own
women folks, is there2 And you're
just az good to me as If belonged to
you"
Mrs. Robertson bridled consciously,
pleased with her nephew and pleased
with herself.
''Why, Robert, DEAR" she returned,
'y6ut do belong to us. God bless You,
boy, you're my baby and Ewes little
brother. Now tell us what's bothering
you"
''It's Mares row. with the sQuatters
I can't get the poor devils out Of my
mind. Eve, can't you get him to leave
the settlement people alonef I'd let
them have some Of my land, but It
doesn't touch the lake. and they
couldn't make q living on It"
Evelyn arose and crossed the room
to the table. She had not expected
this. Her promise to Mackenzie
flashed into her mlndl
II don't like interfering with Mares
business, Bob" she demurred. "Be-
sides, he wants to improve the prop
erty down there, and he can't while
the fishermen stay on the shorey'
Gently, for Robert had always been
like a younger brother to her, and she
loved him dearly, Evelyn explained
MacKenxie's plans and showed how
impossible Il was for her. under the
circumstances, to interfere with them
Then she crossed to his side and bent
over him.
Robert, DEAR" she begged. forget
shout the sQuatters. They aren't any
thing special to you'll" To head on IN
objection that she saw In his eyes, she
hurried on: They're poor and unfor-
tunate, / know. I'm sorry for them.
We all are; but you can't deny they're
worthless and filthy. and worst Of ali,
they haven't any right to be where
they are. You won't let them come be-
tween you and Marc and me. win
your"
without giving the man q chance to
answer, Mrs. Robertson interrupted (:
''Mercy, Eve, why Of course he
WON'T Marc win soon be one Of the
family. People Of our social standing
don't wrangle over such cattle as the
sQuatters." She turned smilingly to
the young man and ended sweetly
'You feel that way, don't you, BobT'
Disregarding both the lady and her
question, Robert got up, his lips grim
and his fine brow corrugated with
lines. Evelyn and Marcus could do as
they pleased; he would take his stand
right there.
Evelyn" he said slowly, II should
be sorry to have anything come be-
tween US. You've always been like q
dear sister to me. suppose It's nat
ural and right for you to see this the
way Marc does. You're engaged to
him, but you can tell him for me I'm
going to help the sQuatters any way
and every way I can"
Too angry to listen to any more ar
guments, he pushed his chair to one
side and left the room.
Mrs. Robertson looked daggers at
her daughter and as soon as she could
get her breath. broke out:
snow, Evelyn. see what storm
you've stirred upi Why didn't you use
q little dlplomacyl That was the least
you could have done. You get Mare
and Bob by the ears, and where'll yOu
bel"
"Ohl don't lnowg I don't know r.
moaned Evelyn. Don't talk to me
any more. I'm just about crazy. I'm
going to bedl Good night"