The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-05-18
CHAPTER V-continued.

II wanted TO Tess up to You this
morning. Poll" Oscar ran on. ITS
funny thing, but reckon care
more for your little finger than for
Ewes whole body. Maybe some day
after | get all her cash -"
Polly coughed down lump that
persisted In coming up in her throat.
"You needn't spiel lovIn's TO me. Os-
car" she gulped, IAN I believe In be-
In honest. So, before your woman
comes. ] might as well give you bit
OF my mind. IL owned you from your
cap TO your boots, wouldn't use you
for doormat in front OF Daddy's
shantyl"
4, He shot look OF amazement. The
confident smile faded from his face,
and his lips sagged at the corners.
Then he arose to his feet.
81 been thinking about you all day."
he broke forth. you've got every
thing-looks, action and brains.
want you, Pollyop and I'm going to
kiss you this time. so help me Godw
He took a step toward her and Polly
scrambled up. Just at that moment
Evelyn Robertson entered. Oscar Ben
nett turned swiftly, and Polly, very
pale. placed herself at Ewes side. And
as the wind foamed the lake to fury
and shook Granny Hopes forsaken lit
tie hut. the man and two girls stood
silent long, tense minute.
, Then Oscar smiled at Evelyr, tri-
umIhant, insulting smile,
$50 you thought II best 10 mind me
my lady" he laughed. 81 guess after
a while you'll come to know | mean
what l say"
Eve tried TO speak but could not.
Polly squeezed her arm encouraglngly.
"You're a mean duffer, Oscar" she
thrust In. "Your woman's scared OF
you, that's all. Try bein' better, an
see how she likes IT,"
s'She's got axgood right 10 be Id
scared" gruntd Bennett. "Now out
with II, Eve. What's the rumpusl You
haven't sent me a cent for a month"
With shaking fingers Evelyn pushed
back her wind-blown hair.
Il couldn't get any money. Oscar" 4"
she walled. "My allowance is all gone
] gave every cent OF 1t to you. You
know very well mother won't give me
any more"
She had one card left 10 play, and
she hoped II would take the trick.
81 might as well tell you" she con.
tinued, the steel In her eyes wiping
AWAY the blue. Mother hasn't any
money. All thought we had belongs
90 Cousin Bob"
She ceased speaking and waited an
instant TO note how her news struck
her husband. He flung up clenched
fist.
"The devil take you, Eve!" he cried
Don't try to put anything over on me
like that. You're the biggest liar in
Tompklns county"
That he partly believed her showed
I'm his manner.
"Fd never "a married you II I'd a
known that two years ago" Oscar as
serted hoarsely. "You can be dead
certain OF that, my lady. You were
pretty careful to keep your money
troubles to yourself. sit down, both ot
you! You're shivering like two cats
Impulsively Evelyn went toward him
"Oh. Oscar, listen, listen to me-" she
said, trying TO steady her voice. az
want TO be free. can't. I can't live
this way any longer"
A coarse oath fell from Bennett,
lips.
'You don't need to-" he shouted
you got home to come ton,
home. You can do the work my ole
mothers doing. It's your Job, not hers
You're my wife. by ginger. and as
said TO Pollyop here, you live with ma
or you pay up. I don't give a tinker
d-n which you do"
Hlo voice grew deep as he finished
and an EVIL. taunting smile drew uI
his lips. Evelyn ehuddered and swayed