The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-05-25
weeping face before her

Yep. all right Z" she rasped.
Then she sent On hoarsely faltering
AS she described the horrors that all
her loved ones had gone through. Her
voice choked and became silent as she
thought Of Robert. She could not force
her tongue TO say q word about him.
although her heart throbbed bitterly as
his name came 10 her lips
Money" she whispered brOkenly.
lifting her head "Did you hear your
man say money 10 US squatters as II
cssh'd pay for Lauy's woman an Jer-
~ an my daddy You heard, didn't
your
Eyelyn's head sagged forward. and
a spasm passed over her face as her
eyes closed She looked as II she had
died Polly Hopkins had seen death
enter the Silent City many time and
her heart-strings ughtened
Are you gone1' she questioned In q
kissing whisper.
The other girls lids lifted slowly.
and never had Pollyop seen such an
expression In human eyes In all her
life.
Not yet" dropped from the blue
lips, "and-and-oh. Pollyop. I'm so
afraid TO die don't know how oh.
God, help me; feel 50 sick"
Daddy were sick, too" shot back
Polly, AN Jerrys turned up his toes
by this time aln't heard a word
from him since he was took away.
Mebbe | could a seen him II you
hadn't made your cousin believe were
bad woman! What d'you know
about babies, an how cunnin an sweet
they srei You're as wicked as HI
Ithaca'll be better or when you're
food for the fishes. I'm glad your
manrl live. though. Lordy. how
laughed when he busted into the
shanty. And there was you right be-
side mel Huh2 Wasn't II = good
joke on Old Marcr
The speaker held Evelyn's stare. the
chestnut eyes glittering as the ques-
ton was fairly spat out.
II can't die. Pollyopt" groaned Eve
lyn, her head dropping against the
cot. "oh, Polly dear. listen-please-"
Polly reached out for the al.
Don't you dare Polly dear me"
she gritted conyulsively. "or I'll hit
you with this !"
God Jesus came from between
Evelyn's chattering teeth. mo, don't
pick it up DON'T oh, want to tell
you something, Polly Hopkins"
"Then fire ahead" Polly grumbled
sullenly.
She withdrew her fingers from the
ax-handle and leaned her chin in the
palm of her hand.
Evelyn Strengthened up and bent
forward, her eyes swimming with
tears.
polly" she gasped, "Polyop, in the
summer Gods going to send me lit
tie baby Oh, Polly"
The squatter girl scrambled up as
the speaker dropped back. terrified at
the exuItant fire in the brown eyes and
the awful smile that crept across Pol
ly's face.
"Glory be TO God In the sky" she
cried. Two OF you belongin' to Old
Marc goin' with one swipe Of the AK.
She wheeled around and paced the
length of the shanty. Old Mares baby
Old Mares woman Both to go out
OF his life forever! And by her hands
hers, Polly Hopkins hands
She lifted them up, those slender,
brown fingers. and looked at them
against the candlellght. But few
months ago they had been the most
willing fingers in all the county But
tonight-Marc's baby Evelyn's baby
Like a hive OF bees. the Joy Of dis
sipatlng the home Of Marcus Mac
Kenzie buzzed through her brain No /;
sound came from the girl on the floor,
for Evelyn Mackenzie had given up
all hope The squatter girl was crazy.
No human being could entertain such
a ghastly purpose and be In his right
mind
Presently she called Polly's name
family. and then again: because Polly
gave her no heed, she cried louder
"Polyop. my feet hurt 50 can't (
bear t.
Polly paused. leaned against the
wall and glared at her.
"Pm glad they DO that she nut
.ered. "You can't hurt anywhere too
much to suit me-
Then something gave way behind
her and wheeling around she found 9
herself staring into the face OF The {
- ther in the World
ag4y du~t-eoyered coat which bad I
liaarn the picture all the past weeks q
ai - her feet O
A. Sic looked. the glare lefi Polly's +
.yes Tie serious face that had once b
smiled 81 her. he smile that had been 4
teuedictIon Tor herself and Daddy
Hopkins was there 20 longer Rather
was there an expression - soros
Death rested 10 the nurses arms but
RON her whole rerereut attitude the
ense u protection sweep, or % Polly
hopkins