The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-04-21
CHAPTER XII.

i Over q week had passed since Hop
Sins had stood before his peers to be
4 Judged of crime the law would not
overlook. His lawyer, a good one and
well paid by Robert Percival, had
fought strenuously for new trial;
| but after much deliberation on the
pait OF the Judge, the motion had been
denied and this was the last day Of
i Jeremiah's stay In the county jail.
II was soon after luncheon time that
Q high-nowered motorcar was carrying
/ Evelyn Robertson and Marcus Mac
| Kenzie TO the Bennett farmhouse. The
1 purchasing of the farm had been set
tied, as far MS Marcus was concerned,
although Ewes pleading and Oscars
stubbcrnness had made him offer
more for the place than II was really
1 worth.
| When the farmer walked up to the
automobile, as It stopped before his
door, Oscar paid no attention TO Eve
tyn, sitting beside Mackenzie, save to
give her an awkward bow.
you've spoken to this squatter girl
about what you want, Bennett?" asked
Marcus. going to the point at once.
| Yes, sure / have" growied Oscar.
Il told you that t'other day; but Polly
seems to be always holding Off fo-
something. II she toes the mark, t.len
I'll sell my farm and take her West.
won't have that brat OF Jerry,
though, but suppose Pollyll make a
row when tell her that"
"You won't be worried with the boy,
Bennett. I'm going to have the Chill
dren's society tnke him. Hopkins will
serve q long term, and II you marry
Polly, the rest Of the pests viii scatter
after a while. I'll be glad to be rid
Of the whole Hopkins tribe. But that
girl Is like a burr; she sticks tighter.
the more you pull r.
That's the bargain, Mr.. Mackenzie.
] sell the farm at the price we talked
i II | get Polly Hopkins. RI don't get
'er, then won't sell. Gun make a.
good living here for me and my moth
err, and don't intend to leave this
country without Pollyop.r
The thought Of his staying around
ithaca filed Evelyn With dread She
knew something Of the aenacIty with
which lie chung to any notion that
might take possession Of him. How
could she have ever submitted to his
caresses7 And the words, -Until death
do us part rang Ia her ears, filling
her with nauseating disgust.
Il wish he were dead this minute"
she thought passionately
| She was waiting for Oscar to con.
tinue, but lie evidently did not Intend
to; SO, settling back as II anxious to
| start, she said coidly:
"I'll so to her then, as soon as
cam
"M'hcn-today, ma'am?s asked Oscar
eagerly.
If she had to approach Polly Hop
kins about this disagreeable matter,
the sooner the better. Evelyn Thought.
"Yes," she consented languidly. q
might so now, suppose"
'But You won't find her heae till
night Eve" Marcus Informed her.
she's gone to see her father before
| he goes TO Auburn. | tried To pat the
| quietus on that, but Bob cut ap 10
told the sheriff to let her In"
''Then III telephone yeu later Mr.
Bennett" said Evelyn, lifting her chin
haughtily as II lac were really beneath
her consideration. Good afternoon r.
The hours passed slowly by! II
seemed an eternity to Oscar while he
waited the call from Evelyn. When
he heard her voice over tie telephone,
he answered gruftiy.
''Now. don't be nasty, Oscar" or.
dered Evelyn inperiously TIN doing
the best can, I'm in booth talking,
and II you'll meet me AZ seven, we'll
so together to Polly Hopkins. Does
that suit you all right?''
''You don't suit me very WELL" Oscar
/ grumbied into the receiver. "rd like
to give you the licking OF your life,
i my lady"
Evesyn's laugh came ringing across
/ the wire.
Don't put yourself out, my dear
man." she tainted Nov, don't start
bullying me over the phone, Oscar. for
won't stand II. Hold your temper II
you can possibly do so. For once do
as tell you'll Win your
ooh. ] suppose So Bennett raped
! out. "Wheren meet you?-
well, let me see. AT seven on the
boulevard. near the lane
4 "All right. and Oscar slammed up
the receiver without waiting to hear
any sncre, ana proceeded ABOUT his
farm tasks. Thoughts of anger toward
I'VE. now so oyerbearing and con.
en,ptuous. were soon crowded ont.
owever, by anticipation OF the fine
hen Polly would belong to bim-be