Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-04-19

DhCk over lile TOdu. II WIS hot long
before he located the place where the
screams came from. Then Bay Dex-
ter had an opportunity to show all the
speed he had.
The sight OF Pollyop writing In the
strong arms ola man he did not recog-
nize made PercIval see red. He was
of his horse with one leap, and two
long strides took him to Oscars side
One blow from his powerful knuckles
in the farmers face staggered Bennett
and freed Polly so quickly that she
fell to the ground. Instinctively she
crawled out of the way of the battling
men. The blow that had released her
had done no damage to Bennett ex-
cept to aggrayate his rage. He recov-
cred himself and confronted his assail-
ant, dripping oaths like ram from
cloudburst.
Bennett took the offensive, his fists
flying like fails. He wanted to get
his arms around the other fellow, to
trip him and make the fight a rough
and tumble on the ground, but Perez
val avoided the rush, and struck as
Bennett went by. Again and again
Bennett tried to come to close quar-
tiers. But he could not; neither could
he hit his elusive opponent. At length
he hesitsted, distressed as much by
his own efforts as the blows he had
received.
Then Percival stepped In, and quick
~ 1t was all over. Two well-planted
thumps laid Bennett like log ON the
ground.
Robert busted off his hands, picked
Wee Jerry up, and handed him to his
sister.
did he hurt you, Polly?T he queried,
and her answer was positively gleeful
"Nary a bit. sir, an I reckon the big
lummox's got plenty this time"
Robert brushed off his clothes slow
ly. The farmer still lay on the ground
"Get up, ordered Percival scornful-
ly, touching the PROSTATE man with
the toe of his boot. sect up and make
OFF if you don't want me TO lick you
again"
Oscar rolled over and crawled SLOW
ly to his hands and knees.
"The grounds kinda wahbly, amt 1t,
oscar?' Polly gibed.
Get out" commanded Robert, once
more.
Bennett scrambled to his feet, shook
his fist at Polly, snatched up the little
dead lamb, and in another moment
had climbed the fence and was gone.
"what were you fighting aboutr
began Robert, looking keenly at Pol
lyop.
Tears hung ON the girls lashes. and
the sensitive underlip quiyered.
Oscar said as how Nannyop were
his" she murmured. Weren't ii awful
for him TO swat 1t with that stone that
wayT'
Ibid you" He broke off the ques-
ton abruptly. He was going to ask
her II she had stolen the lamb; but an
expression In the pleading. misty eyes
stopped him.
Il found the little Teller drownin' In
the creek, sir" she explained with
bowed head. 81 just took him home to
love him, that was ALL"
The strange, thrilling emotion that
had overcome Robert but a short time
ago In the presence Of this squatter
girl attacked him again.
what can do to help you. childg"
he demanded sharply.
Polly flung out her hand. Help
that was what the squatters wanted.
The little lamb was dead. Nothing
could ever hurt 1t any more. But there
we're her people
"Just help Daddy Hopkins"-she
choked and went on-+an' all the poor |
folks in the Silent City, an'-ail-I1l |
love you forever and foreveri"
After that the '1ittlest mother
made large strides upward toward the i
greatest mother" Every little wor-
ried thing In the woods, every heavy |
heart In the squatter settlement felt i
A. ,3feo~aw1a H. D1lY~ CHE