The Lamar register., 1922-06-21


say"
Yep, took her." trailed on Polly,
an | meant to croak her, too, an
throw 'er in the lake. Just to get even
with you SIR"
Then why didn't you do it?" de-
manded Marcus.
PoliyO., threw a short glance at the
Jther man, standing white and silent
She cleared her throat, and leaned
only the harder against the wall.
''On ID sudden" she continued, as II
eager 10 finish her tale. Il somehow
remembered everything Granny Hope
learned me when she was in the shack
here. She mways said, mister, when
you was devilish enough to snake
squatter from the Silent City"-Polly
paused aud coughed, then proceeded
in the dead silence: Granny said
you was the image and likeness of the
good God up In the sky an brother
to Jesus, the same as us squatters.
But | said | didn't ever want to dy
away to God If He looked like you'll"
Leaving the wall she came forward
and hurried on: AN | meant 1t them
times. an much more after you rail-
roaded my daddy and swiped Jerry
away from me-"
Marcus placed his wife In the chair
and stood up. He started to speak to
Pollyop; but Eyelyn's cry caused him
to turn swiftly. The drabness of her
face startled him
"Marc Robert !" she said. 81 can't
go back home until I've told you some
thing. No. Marc, don't stop me.
will talk. Now, listen Oh, honeyr
This appeal WIS to her husband who
had laid his fingers on her shoulder.
Wont you hold my hand while l tell
lit"
Much moved. Marcus did as she re-
quested. His firm clasp seemed to
encourage Evelyn. and she went on:
Darling, I've always been-dread-
full toto Polly Hopkins. and-ane
she's been an angel to me-
She was going to tell 1t all, ragged
through Polly's mind. Was she going
to bring to light her relations with
the dead Oscarf Old Marc would
never forgive 1t! Thinking more now
of the baby coming next summer to
her own happiness, Pollyop made
movement as If to contradict the state
ment; but Evelyn's impetuous rush Of
words halted her.
"No. Polly, I'm going to put things
right now, even II Marc leaves me to-
night" she declared, clearing hei
throat. Robert, dear boy. l lied to
you. lied to Polly and to you. Mar.
Gus. Oscar Bennett wasn't Pollyi
sweetheart at all. He-he was my
husbandI'
Mackenzie Suffered. but did not
drop the cold fingers he held; and
Evelyn wept bitterly, unable to 60 on.
horse whinnied outside; but in
the shanty no sound could be heard
save the hysterical sobbing OF Evelyn.
II seemed TO Robert as II he must
shake from his cousin the rest Of the
dark story. SO impatient was he to
hear II.
"Then-then when you came. my
my beloved" Evelyn raised her tired
eyes to her husband. Il tried to get
rid of him. did my best to get Polly
Hopkins to promise she'd marry Oscar
after he had freed me. wanted to
get him out of the countryl"
Unwilling to spare herself the least
humiliation. she ended in piteous con-
fusion: Il was glad when / knew he
was dead"
Then how did he der came swift.
ly from Mackenzie.
"Oh, just as the doctor told you,
Marc, dear" replied Evelyn. He was
struck by lightning and died from the
shock. | was free then. and-and |
made Polly swear over and over again
she'd never tell any one And-and
l gave her the silk dress she wore that
day in the Auburn car. I-I-lied
about that. too. But, Marc, dear love,
knew you hated her and"
Robert bounded to his feet as the
girls words traiIed away Into silence.
over MacKenzie's face were speeding
So many different expressions that the
searching brown eyes Of Polly Hop
kins could not tell whether he In
tended to forgive his unhappy wife or
not