White County record. [volume] (Judsonia, Ark.) 1922-200?, 1922-06-08

abilities, ana TIC shoSe VI Siie
a,ont TO his lips. Then slowly his eyes
eIosed The strained muscles relaxed
srou about his mouth, leaving 1t more
sovisb and thus did the Storm coun-
,ry give back to Evelyn Robertson her
freedom.
After tina. came dark days for Polly
~ Even the reproduction Of The
Greatest Mother in the World, which
bung In its accustomed place on the
,banty wall, failed to lift the heavy
had that rested like stone In her
hosom No more did she stand before
\ and dream-dream of deep-toned
vo,ce telling her of love and future,
dream of Roberts arms about her and
her head pressed against him.
TN and down she went through the
silent City, unable to smile, we'll nigh
unable to speak word of greeting to
those she met. So sympathetic were
her sduatter friends that many fish
and pan of baked beans found theil
yay into the Hopkins hut.
Several times Poilyop had made an
effort to see Evelyn, but the rich girl
never appeared as the little trill
sounded just after nightfall in the
Robertson garden.
In July came rumors that Evelyn
Robertson was to marry Marcus Mac
Kenzie; and that he had bought the
Bennett farm of Oscars heirs. Terri
lied whispers went from mouth to
mouth in the settlement that he had
boosted how he was going to clear the
suuatters from the Silent City before
The coming of Christmas.
One night the dark messenger to
whom no home Is closed slipped into
the Hopkins shanty and summoned
Granny Hope Although the absence
bf the old withered mouth made one
Jess to feed, Pollyop missed the oft re-
peated assurance that somehow, some
lime love would make crooked things
traight.
Late one day, she took Jerry and
he billy goat and walked through the
Silent City and on toward the Bad
ians Ravine. The picture she had
rown to love in those long-ago spring
avs still gazed out at her from Mar
us MacKenzie's fence.
There for moment Polly halted
nd solemnly contemplated the beauti-
ul face. When she had been happy,
nd that was ages past, she had not
eallzed what the call in the mother
lea meant. But as one after another,
er loved ones had dwindled away,
nd none but Jerry was left, clearor
hderstandlng took possession of her.
he same cruel force had attacked her
nd the woman there. They were liv-
g in warning world trying by might
nd main to cling to their own, Polly
and this giant mother. The woman
sked aid for her vast army of sick
>ns; and Polly's sorrow, touched by
er broad compassion, lfghtened a
tile.
Behind her she heard footsteps.
owly she turned her head; and al
ost at the same instant the person
opped Pollyop could not. move or
rec word of greeting from her
ngue, for Robert Percival was look
at her, his serious white face hold
no hint of smile or welcome. For
long minute they stared at each 9TH
then the young man swung about
'lftly and strobe away.
crushed almost into insensibility,
Plyop sank lower and lower until
Try slid away from her shoulders to
ground. Her beloved had not
oheh, nor had the panied lines about
mouth softened even little bit
afternoon shadows began to stretch
y over the lake and crowd down
IN the Silent City, and still the
natter girl knelt and wept out her
row and loneliness with no one
II but the large-eyed, sad little
~ leaning across the thin back of
iy-goat Hopkins.
~ length Pollyop arose, wiping her
~ FACE on her sleeve. Then she
s'eu Jerry to her shoulders and
neo Tor last look at the lofty
.her of the world.
VI minute she gazed steadily.
then, through the gathering
oiu' she thought she saw a smile
eilng about the beautiful mouth.
lsop went nearer by two steps. The
| nan was smiling at her, and the
y a'.er girl, overwhelmed with ioy
aurt keenly like a knife's blade,
'eu pack, the first smile since
uny Hope had left her.
ouihg Jerry by one arm, she
s' me other hand upward.
W niegest an beautifulest nanny In
D. nc world she faltered, "bless me
Jerry an'-an' Daddy Hopkins
2 40 OIL up in Auburn prison."
e ,'erehtiy she knelt with her cling.
i ourden, and then, swiftly rising
4 az uacH to the shanty, her pale face
A' with worldwide blessing.
ii EEhDTEH