The Lamar register., 1922-03-15

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gray at the sight OF his powerful
enemy.
Jeremiah made an awkward bob OF
his head to Marcus. slipped Jerry into
his arms and without word sat
down. And Pollyop, full of curiosity
and anxiety. sat down TOO. her bril-.
liant eyes steadily leveled upon Mac
| Kenzie.
Hopkins" began Marcus. ave
come with a proposal to you. II you've
got any sense, you'll Impress its value
on the rest of your fellows here for
by hook or by crook, intend to break
up this settlement and burn these
shacks"
One long gasp came from Polly. Her
father said nothing but looked back at
the speaker as II he had not heard
Daddy amt got the hull right to
say what's what" she interrupted sud.
denly. There's lots of squatters."
Then call in some of the others, +"
Mackenzie snapped. "And don't be
=, long about 1t. l want to know what's
going to be done before co.
Polly flashed Il glance at her father.
go get 'em brat" he directed. AN
bring Larry"
Out Into the settlement she went,
and when she came back into the
shnnty. there followed her an angry
set of illy-clothed men; and outside a
sullen group Of women waited to hear
what Old Marc had TO offer.
One by one the men silently ranged
themselves In a row around the hut
wall while Polly stood Mt her fathers
shoulder, one hand resting upon IL
and the other on Wee Jerry's head.
Marcus Mackenzie knew the group
OF men he had TO deal with. He knew
their wicked ways, how they thieved,
how they used their nets against the
law. and how they shot game out Of
season. He remembered. too. how
many had been sent to prison with his
aid. but this day he hoped to get rid
Of them all at once.
II want TO pay you fellows to 60
away from Ithaca" He plrmped the
proposition at them badly. IF II
hadn't been the easiest way out,
wouldn't have considered 1t minute.
But after talking 1t over with my law
yer, I've decided to give you all
sum of money II you'll leave peacea-
bly,"
A sound of boots moving on boards
was his only answer. Polly coughed
nervously.
Now this is what I'm going to
Offer" went on Mackenzie. mo one
can make me raise the price one cent.
I'll give you men twenty-five dollars
apiece; you sign over to me your
squatter rights: then take your wom-
en- and kids and 60"
There was not word In answer to
this. Only Wee Jerry felt Daddy Hop
kins clasp him tighter.
Realizing that the stony silence that
met his offer was practically a re-
fusal. Mackenzie got to his feet.
you can take 1t, or-or go to HI
for all l carei' he exclaimed.
He turned toward the door; and
then Pollyop- got back her breath. and
while the squatter men watched sui
lenly. she stepped In front of him.
you're in wrong. mister" she fared
you're id generous, nin't youl
twenty-five dollars wouldn't take us
anywhere, an where would we go
anyhow? This amt movin' day in the
Silent City. You've made your talk,
now scoot along"
Marcus fixed her with eyes angry
beyond description. Her own blazed
back at him as she pointed toward the
door.
''Scoot out" she repeated. "an' don't
be comm again"
Mackenzie lifted his riding whip
threateningly, and every man with
growl started forward; but as the
whip fell back to his side. they sank
down again.
Then 1t was that he shifted the whip
to his left hand and took from his
pocket shining pistol; and although
Polly whitened. she held her ground.
"And you, you impudent huzzy."
snapped Mackenzie, "what have you
got to do with It? What are you, any
wayT
In spite of the deadly thing held in
the white, strong fingers, Polly's head
went up bit
I'm the littlest nanny In the
world" she said simply. I'm NANNY
to this hull settlement. An us squat
tiers stays in the Silent City-see?"