Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-06-07

explained. II she had been asked. why
the agony OF doubt had given place TO
warmer glow about her heart when
she thought OF Daddy Hopkins. Away
or up there In the gloom of the prison,
he had received a mothers benedlc-
ton; Polly believed this with all her
soul. Jerry and she too had come in
for their share; and this new conf
dence lifted the shadow from her eyes
little and lessened the stabbing hurt
In her side.
The thing that tormented her most
was Jerry's constant mourning for his
father. Day by day she had racked
her brains for wavs 20 amuse him, but
as soon as the novelty OF the play had
worn or. the Old-time cry would be-
gin:
"want TO play horse wiz my Daddy
Hopklnsi Wee Jerry wants Daddy
Hopkinsi"
She was looking az him one morn
ing after one OF his spells OF weeping.
and wistfully considering II there
might be a way 10 hurry him or 10
/ Auburn for a day, when Evelyn Rob-
ertson suddenly appeared In the
shanty door.
For a long time Evelyn's conscience
had made her uncomfortable. Even
I though her days were exceedingly
busy. the remembrance OF the squatter
girls pale. pleading face tormented
/ her. and she was fearful Pollyop
might not keep the promise she had
made, and Marcus Mackenzie would
be lost forever.
So astounded was Polly Hopkins 70
see the girl that she neglected TO ask
her in. Overlooking this. Miss Rob
ertson stepped into the room in en-
barrassment.
"Pollyop." she began, catching her
breath. Il just had TO speak TO you.
I'm going 10 be married 10 Mr.. McKen-
zie, and / came TO talk 70 you about IL
and-and TO bring the baby some
candy"
Her expression grave with surprise,
/ Polly scrutinized her cOldly.
"Jerry'd rather have his Daddy
Hopkins than candy" she retorted,
frowning.
Miss Robertson drew back a little
shaking her head.
Il couldn't manage that. I'm afraid"
she said soberly. but"
Pollyop shifted uneasily.
"Aiebbe you could get Old Mare TO
say I could take Jerry 10 Auburn.
theny' she ventu-ed. "Jerryu die IL
he don't see his daddy. He's gettin'
thinner an thinner every day. He's
been yelling like mad al mornin'."
/ Evelyn pondered on this an instant.
'Yes, I could do that. I'm sure" she
answered. smiling broadly. "rd love
TO do IL. too"
The forlorn droop az the corners
OF Pplly's mouth disappeared.
"Alebbe. IL ! could get something to
wear" she hesitated.
II had never occurred 10 Miss Rob
erts0n how Pollyop managed for cloth
lng. She had so much herself she was
blind TO another's need; but, as size
had come 10 demand a favor, then per-
haps she had better offer as much as
she could.
Polly" she calculated. you've been
awfully good 10 me, and you can have
any one OF my dresses you want, and
keen II too. And III persuade Mr..
Mackenzie TO get you a permit to go
TO Auburn"
Polly felt her heart grow big. Then,
after all. she could take Wee Jerry TO
his daddy.
Il s'spOse-I s'spOse." she hesltated,
trembling. "you couldn't tell your cous-
in" Her throat caught in sob but
she cleared Il, and went on. "just tell
i'm oscar wasn't my manT
Evelyn Robertson had often lived
over the horror OF the minutes when
the shameful secret OF her marriage
10 Oscar Bennett was so nearly dis
closed 10 Robert Percival. More than
once had she congratulated herself
upon the eleverness with which she
had avoided that danger. To be sure
her escape had been at the expense
OF Polly's reputation. She regretted
the necessity but reasoned that a good
name could not be much Of a loss TO
a sQuatter.
-Of course / couldn't do that" she
returned sharply. "Why-why should
you want"
The squatter girls gaze lifted to
the speakers face, and tears welled
over the fringed lids. Then Evelyn
read the truth; and her eyes glinted
and narrowed.
~AIerciful Heavens. you're In love
with my cousinY" she exclaimed. "ls
that what you meanT
The brown head fell forward. and
aame-hot face was hidden In the
chestnut curls.
-And he loves you. too" cried Ev-
elyn. In disdain. what fool L was
not 10 discover that before! How per-
fectly awful That's what has been
the matter with him for months"