The Raymer enterprise., 1922-06-08
CHAPTER v-centInued.

Il wanted to Tess up to you this
morning. Poll" Oscar ran On. ats
q funny thing. but reckon I care
more for your little finger than for
Ewes whole body. Maybe some day
after I get all her cash -"
Polly coughed down a lump that
persisted In coming up In her throat.
"You needn't spiel lovin's to me, o..
ca" 10 gulped. IAN l believe In be.
In honest. So. before your woman
comes. I might as well give you a bit
Of my minA. II ! owned you from your
cap to your boots. ! wouldn't use you
for Q doormat In front Of Daddy's
shanty!"
He shot a look Of amusement. The
confident smile faded from his face,
and his lips sagged at the corners.
Then ks arose to bis feet.
X beea thinking about you all day.
he broke forth. you've got every
thtus--looks. action and brains. I
want yeu. Psllyop and I'm going to
kiss you this time, 30 help me God /"
he took q step toward her and Polly
scrambled Mp. Just at that moment
Evelyn Robertson entered. Oscar Ben
nett turDsd swiftly. and Polly. very
palN place! herself at Ewes side. And
% the wind foamed the lake to fury
and shook Granny Hopes forsaken 1T
de hut, the man and two girls stood
client . long. tense minute.
Then Oscar smiled at Eyelyr, a tri.
utnphant, insulting smile.
sSo You thought It best to mind me,
my lady," he laughed. II guess after
a while you'll come to know l mean
what l say"
Eve tried to apeak but could not.
Polly squeezed her arm encouragingly.
you're q mean duffer, Oscar" she
thrust In. "Your woman's scared Of
you. that's all. Try bein' better, an
zee how she likes It."
"She's got good right to be id
scared," grunted Bennett. "Now out
With II, Eve. What's the rumpusl You
haven't sent me a cent for month";"
With shaking fingers Evelyn pushed
back her wind-blown hair.
II couldn't get any money, Oscar"
che walled. my allowance is all gone.
gave every cent Of It to you. You
know very well mother won't give me
any more"
She had one card left to play, and
she hoped It would take the trick.
Il might a. well tell you," she con.
tinued, the steel In her eyes wiping
away the blue. Mother hasn't any
money. All / thought we had belongs
20 Cousin Bob"
She ceased speaking and waited an
instant to note how her news struck
her husband. He flung up a clenched
6st.
"The devil take you. Eve!" he cried.
Don't try to put anything over on me
like that. You're the biggest liar In
Tompkins county"
That he partly believed her showed
IN his manner.
3rd never "a married you II I'd a
known that two years ago." Oscar as
serted hoarsely. "You can be dead
eertain Of that. my lady. You we're
pretty careful to keep your money
troubles to yourself. Sit down. both Of
you'll You're shivsring like two cats"
Impulsively Evelyn went toward him.
@0h. Oscar, listen, listen to me-" she
said, trying to steady her voice. "
want to be free. can't, can't live
this way any longer"
A coarse oath fell from Benefits
lips.
sYou don't need TO-" he shouted.
"You got q home to come tony
homo. You can do the work my old
mothers doing. It's your Job, not hers.
You're my wife. BY ginger. and a.
said 10 Pollyop here. you live with mo,
q 700 pay up. I don't give 4 tinker's
dLn which you do"
His voice grew deep 40 he finished,
and IN svii. haunting smile drew mp
hs lips Hu1ya shuddered and swayed,