The Lamar register., 1922-03-01

you think you could borrow some mon
ey from Robert for me? / must have
IL. After I'm married to Marcus, /
could get 1t all back for you. know
| could. I've just got to have a lot
Of money, and you can't expect me to
ask Marcus"
Mrs. Robertson drew away with
shiver.
"If you so forgot yourself, your
family and your name as to do such
thing. l should disown you, Evelyn"
she said, finality In her tones.
Evelyn rose wearily. She could
imagine the heights Of her mothers
scorn II she discovered the actual sit
uation. She felt that she would rather
tell Mackenzie than the unsympa-
thetic, frowning woman In the chair.
There's no use, mother. In trying to
talk to you" she muttered. "Tll man.
age some way. though only God knows
how"
Mrs. Robertson took up her book and
gazed sternly at her daughter over the
top Of 1t.
"yery well, Evelyn" she said, un-
graciously. You're OF age. II that's
the way you feel about II. there's moth
ing more to he said"
whereupon the speaker began To
read, and very hopeless girl crept
out Of the room.
When Evelyn was repairing the raw
ages made by her emotions. Polly
Hopkins crept into the Robertson gar.
den. Her fear of Mrs. Robertson was
mingled with thrilling happiness.
She had seen Granny Hope and Wee
Jerry eat the fresh eggs; Daddy's
promise would keep him out Of trouble
with old Marc; and the beautiful
stranger would help them!
She gave a piercing little trill. the
signal she had always used to call
Evelyn from the house. Almost at once
a figure stepped from the door to the
porch directly In front OF her. and ter
rified. she shrank back among the
vines and clung there.
Silhouetted against the bright light
was Robert PercIval. He stood gazing
straight ahead OF him at the dark
driveway. but turned when Evelyn ap-
peared beside him. Polly heard the
murmur of their voices. that was all.
They then disappeared into the house
Evelyn laughingly pushing the soldier
ahead Of her. Quickly the girl came
out again; and Polly could hear her
swift-coming breaths as she ran softly
down the steps.
"Shush," hissed Polly Hopkins.
'I.ordy, was scared to death some
one'd catch me-"
"Pollyop." questioned Evelyn anxious
Iy. "what'd he say? Was he angry?"
Their helds were very close to
gether, and Polly gave the message In
low tone.
"He wants you to come to Granny
Hopes hut at nine o'clock tonight, an
guess you best do it, He's as mad as
ever a man can be-"
"rm afraid" Evelyn walled. I'm
terribly afraid, Polly dear"
All the sympathy In Polly's heart
came to sudden life
81 reckon you be-" she returned.
But you've got to get up your spunk
an go. Oscard just as soon come bust
in right In your house here, l guess,
II you don't. You come along. an at
nine o'clock I'll hike over an get
in the hut too. Say, why cant you
talk just little nicer to him7 Granny
Hopes got a Bible, an it says when a
feller hurts you, speak kind of soft
back. an he won't have nothin' more
to say. Hist What's that noise7
Scoot."
Before Evelyn could say another
word, the squatter girl slipped away
among the shadows. The other. al
though surrounded with every luxury,
went wretchedly up the steps and,
forcing smile to her lips, passed In
to the music room.
Billy-goat Hopkins had blinked many
times before his little mistress came
home. Larry Bishop had gone to his
lonely hut, and Daddy Hopkins and
Granny Hope were doing in front
of the stove.
In nervous tension Polly watched the
clock crawl along toward the hour Of
the meeting between Oscar and Evelyn.
About a quarter to nine, she stole out
of DOORS
By familiar paths. slipping past a
shanty here and there. Pollyop came