The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-07-06


slbllItles, and the ghost OF smile
crept 10 his lips. Then slowly his eyes
closed. The strained muscles relaxed
from about his mouth leaving Il more
boyish and thus did the Storm coun-
try give back to Evelyn Robertson her
freedom.
After that came dark days for Polly
op. Even the reproduction of The
Greatest Mother In the World, which
hung In Its accustomed place on the
shanty wall, fnllcd to lift the heavy
load that rested like stone In her
bosom. No more did she stand before
II and dream--dream Of n deep-toned
voice telling her of love and future,
dream OF Roberts arms about her and
her head pressed against him.
Up and down she went through the
Silent CITY, unable TO smile, well nigh
unable TO speak word OF greeting to
those she met. So sympathetic were
her squattcr friends that many flsh
and pan of baked beans found theil
wny into the Hopkins hut.
Several times Pollyop had made an
effort to see Evelyn, but the rich Gil
never appeared rs the little trill
sounded just after nightfull In the
Robertson garden.
In July came rumors that Evelyn
Robertson was TO marry Marcus Mac
kenzle; and that he had bought the
Bennett farm of Oscars heirs. Terri
fled whispers went from mouth to
mouth In the settlement that he had
boasted how he was going to clear the
squntters from the Silent City before
the coming of Christmas.
one night the dark messenger to
whom no home Is closed slipped into
the Hopkins shnnty and summoned
Granny Hope. Although the absence
OF the old withered mouth made one
less to feed, Pollyop missed the oft re-
peated assurance that somehow, some
time. love would make crooked things
straight.
Late one day, she took Jerry and
Silent City and on toward the Bad
Mans Ravlne. The picture she had
grown TO love In those lOng-ago spring
days stlll gnzed out at her from, Mar
Gus MncKenzle's fence.
There for moment Polly halted
and solemnly contemplated the benutl-
ful face, When she had been happy,
and that was ages past, she had not
realized what the call In the mother
plea meant. But ms one after another,
her loved ones had dwlndled away,
and none hut Jerry was left n clearer
understanding took possession OF her.
The same crdel force had attacked her
and the woman there. They were llv-
Ing In warning world, trying by might
and main 10 cling To their own, Polly
on and this giant mother. The woman
asked aid for her vast army of sick
sons; and Polly's sorrow, touched by
her broad compassion, lightened a
little.
Behind her she heard footsteps
Slowly she turned her head; and nj
most at the same instant the person
stopped. pollyop could not move or
force word OF greeting from her
tongue, for Robert PercivRl was look
ing at her. his serious white face hold
ing no hint of smile or welcome. For
long minute they stared at each 9th
er; then the young man swung about
swiftly and strobe away.
Crushed almost into insensibillty
pollyop sank lower and lower until
Jerry slid away from her shoulders "a
the ground. Her beloved had not
spoken. nor had the panied lines about
his mouth softened even little bit
Afternoon shadows began 10 stretch
long over the lake and crowd down
upon the Silent City, and still the
squatter girl knelt aud wept out hei
sorrow and loneliness with no one
near but the large-eyed, sad little
child, leaning across the ,hin back OF
Billy-goat Hopkins.
At length Pollyop arose, wiplng hei
worn face ON her sleeve. Then sh,
hoIsted Jerry 10 her shoulders nnt
turned for last look at the loft,
mother OF the world.
For minute she gaZed steadily
And then, through the gathering
gloom. she thought she saw smll,
lowering E6out the beautiful mouth
pollyop went nearer by two steps The
woman was smiling at her, and the
squatter girl, overwhelmed with 10!
that hurt keenly like knife's blade
smiled back. the first smile sine,
Granny Hope had left her.
Holding Jerry by one arm, she
thrust the other hand upward.
biggest an beautifulest nanny IL
all the world" she faltered, "bless IN,
an Jerry an'-Hn' Daddy Hopkln.
away OF up in Auburn prison"
Reverently she knelt with her cling
ing burden, and then, swiftly rising
went back TO the shanty, her pale fac,
radiant with worldwide blessing.