The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-04-20

/ In superstitious ave. Polly dropped
down upon her knees beside the bed.
I Her own hurt had been overcome by
| the desire 10 help him II she could.
And there. while the rain dashed It's
fury into the lake. and the wind shook
~the shAnty the three kept quiet vigil.
Large drops appeared ON Benefits
brow; and Granny Hope lifted one
withered hand and brushed them away
Lowell carry you over weary places.
big dear" she wheezed. "It's all pow
erful. love is. sir"
Oscars staring eyes lost something
Of the sbject fear they had shown.
Then over his face swept that look
that comes but once 10 any man.
"Aw the Christll help you, too.
honey" Granny Hope went on again
smiling.
Polly, weeping silently, bent for
ward and gazed hard at the dying
farmer. Oscar wanted TO stay little
longer. He was trying to speak but
she knew he could not. To help him
through the valley Of shadows and up
ward into eternal light, she thrust her
head close to his.
Jesus is giyin' you rest, Oscar
man" she whispered.
Pollyop's sobbing voice penetrated
Into the young mans darkening sen
sibilities, and the ghost of smile
crept TO his lips. Then slowly his eyes
closed. The strained muscles relaxed
from about his mouth. leaving 1t more
boyisb: 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. failed to lift the heavy
load that rested like stone In her
bosom. No more did she stand before |
1t aud dream-dream of a deep-toned
voice telling her Of love and u 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 squatter friends that many fish
and pan of baked beans found then
way into the Hopkins hut.
Several times Pollyop had made an
aHnrf N Exalrn hnt tho rich ntrt l.
never appeared as the little trfll
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
fed whispers went from mouth to
mouth In the settlement that he had
bOasted how he was going to clear the
squatters 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
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
the billy goat and walked through the
Silent City and on toward the Bad
Mans Ravine. The picture she had
grown to love in those long-ago spring {
days still gazed out at her from Mar
Gus MacKenzie's fence.
There for a moment Polly halted :
md solemnly contemplated the beauti- 3
'ul face. When she had been happy, .
md that was ages past. she had not
realized what the call in the mother
Dlea meant. But as one after another.
ler loved ones bad dwindled away, :
md none but Jerry was left. clearer c
took possession Of her.
The same cruel force had attacked her @
md the woman there. They were liv- c
ng In a parring world, trying by might
md main TO cling TO their own, Polly
- and this giant mother. The woman
Isked aid for her vast army Of sick
ons; and Pollys sorrow. touched by :
Ter broad compassion, lightened a
title /
Behind her she heard footsteps. g
slowly she turned her head: and al a
most az the same instant the person a
topped PoIlyop could not move or !
orce q word Of greeting from her
ongue. for Robert Percival was look :
ng az her. his serious white face hold !
1g no hint Of smile or welcome. For q
long minute they stared az each 9th h
r: then the young man swung about
Witty and STROBE away n
Crushed almost into inseuslbility, s.
'oliyop sank lower and lower until Z.
erry sIid away from her shoulders % -
b. ground Her beloved had not r
pokeu. nor had the pained lines about 4
is mouth softeued even q little b.ti
Afternoon shadows began % stretch
ing over the lake and crowd down +,
pom ile Silent City. anl @ th