Cheyenne Wells record. (Cheyenne Wells, Cheyenne County, Colo.) 1???-1969, 1922-08-10
Copyright by Little. Brown e Co.

WISE Polly crawled, and after she had
completely secreted herself. she drew
down the velvet half-curtain that hung
from the seat. 1t seemed hours before
she heard a sound. She hissed q
warning to Jerry, then waited In nerv-
GUS tension.
From the station platform voices
seemed suddenly to rise up from every
quarter. Pollyop closed her eyes, too
confused to think Of anything to dis
sipate the agony of mind she was un-
dergoing.
A few minutes before train time a
high.powered motor car drew up to
the platform.
"We've got the drawing-room,
Marc" explained Robert Percival.
"and while you three are shopping.
I'm going to dig around Auburn q
Bit"
II suppose you're gong to call on
your friend. jeremiah" taunted Mac
Kenzie. Bob. I'll give you pointer.
Drop that easel There's no power on
earth that can open the prison doors
for Hopkins"
To this Robert did not reply. In
deep reverie he helped his aunt and
cousin from the automobile and fol-
lowed them to the car.
When Polly heard number Of
people come into the stateroom. she
put one hand over her lips. She
strained her ears to hear II Jerry had
made a move. How she hoped the
dear baby had fallen asleep. and that
he would not wake up until they
were in Auburn! As unexpected as
the voice Of one long dead. the sound
of familiar tones came to her ears.
The words were:
snow, Mrs. Robertson, you sit there.
and you too. Eve. Then you won't
have to ride backward. Bob and I'll
sit here"
The squatter girls heart nearly
jumped out of her mouth. There. with
in touching distance. was her power
full enemy. Her flesh tingled as II
bees had stung her. Robert Percival.
and Evelyn too. were there. PollyOp
shivered and wished that she had
waited until tomorrow, or perhaps the
day after.
She tried to drive out the fear Of
being discovered and think only of
Jerrys happiness and Daddy's. To
make her heart beat less fast. she
tried earnestly to think Of some words
that Jesus would hear and under
stand. But even that desire was
driven from her as two heavy bodies
dropped upsn the seat above her
Plainly sne saw two pairs Of mems
boots near enough to touch her II she
moved an inch forward.
Back against the side of the car she
pushed her head. noiselessly drawing
her thick curfs over her shoulder to
make more room. How intensely she
wished they were In Auburn! II the
train would only start ahead. she was
sure she would lose the insane desire
to open her mouth and scream.
Then whistle from the engine, and
ms II the man at the throttle had heard
the inward cry of her frightened
young soul. the train began to move
slowly. AS 1t crossed the northern
end of the town, one Of the owners
of the boots near her face grew ex-
ceedlngly restless. and of sudden he
pushed his foot directly against her
nose. Gently she showed 1t away; and
a low exclamation from above, fol-
lowed instantly.
Then n strong. large hand lifted the
velvet hangings; and before Pollyop
could stir. u set of fingers took sharp
hold of her face. In her frightened
state she threw the hand off and an
other ejaculation came to her ears.
Then two hands came under and
groped for grip. She fought strenu-
ously to hold her place; but the per-
son pulled her out by main force.
Polly Hopkins was almost fainting
when Robert Percival placed her on
her feet. The silk dress, partly
tucked In Daddy's boots and partly
out. was covered with dust. In silent
embarrassment she stopped and
brushed it Then she glanced up i'm
ploringly. -
Robert, wax-white, was staring at
her as IL he could not believe his eyes ;
and Mackenzie, carried away by the
rage within him, viciously clutched at
her arm. Pollyop dragged herself
away frow the strong fingers.
Don't touch me, you." she snapped
hoarsely at him. "Tm goin' to Auburn
to see my Daddy Hopkins"
Her voice was high-pitched and
tensely toned. Her gaze sought one
after another until It rested on Eve
lyn Robertson, huddled back In the
corner Of the seat.
"You can make him leave me be.
ma'am," Polly went on. II got a right
to go to Auburn as wells any one
else"
An unfeeIing laugh left MacKenzie's
lips; and a sharp exclamation fell
from Percival.
you're a thief" Marcus thrust in
grimly. "A little thief. You're steal
ing ride"
With all her fighting instinct
reused, Polly squared herself.
NSuro I'm stealins q rida sho re-