The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-08-03
Storm Country Polly
by Grace Miller White
Copyright BY Little Browns s. &C.

Keep settin'.- breathed Pollyop.
They'll be stoppin' here fast enough r.
OF sudden the door burst open, and
Marcus Mackenzie, covered with
snow, entered With him were two OF
his neIghbors and several squatterS
Polly enjoyed glimpse Of Old
Mares agonlnsd fsce; then she grinned
at him.
What's the matter, misterr she
asked, showing an expanse OF even
white teeth. '~whst do you mean by
Dustin into my bouss like tails, sirf-
Mackenzie threw o glance from the
girl to the squstteT IN the chair.
Ny vife's goner. h CRIED IN des-
pefanon II"
sol Nov Is sbe7- broke In Polly.
smiling wider. You don't sayl Well.
golly me! That's too bad. Some other
feller run OF with 'er-mebbef-
And when she saw him trying TO
master his emotion, forcing back the
heavy groans that lnterfered with his
Efforts 20 answer. she laughed Never
before had she been reckless in his
presence. She knew this was ono time
Marcus Mackenzie did not want TO
tight. He needed the help OF the SQUAT
ters to search the Storm country for
his wife-his bride, the very apple Of
his eye.
He dh not look at all like the fash
ing-eyed enemy Of her people All at
once he had changed from a cynical
handsome man Of the world TO plead
Ing, pale-faced husband.
Just then the wind shook the shanty
violently and over his big frame
passed shudder after shudder.
shes been gone, oh God, don't
know how long" he groaned aloud, the
haggard expression deepening In the
lines about his mouth as he spoke. "Ill |
giye-1'll give more money than any
Of you ever saw" He flung around on
Bishop and thrust out an lmportunate
hand.
Larry had been watching him COW
ertly, In moody silence. When Marcus |
addressed him directly, he threw back
bis head and let out loud malevolent 4
sounds more like the hOwls Of hyenas 1
than the laugh OF a human being; and
Polly Hopkins Joined in again, too,
dreadful sounds that made her thin,
lovely face look old
This is queer place to come for
your woman" she taunted Mackenzie.
To squatter's shack, huhl / didn't
know before that rich women came 10
The Silent City. least OF all, yourn."
Mackenzie took a step toward her.
"Oh, was sure she wasn't here" he
hrust I'm eagerly. But want help
he aid Of every one OF you. Money"
he cried again, convulsiyely. Money,
10 you hearf Money, / said"
Polly was witnessing just the picture
hat she had been holding In her minds
'ye for many days
Money can't buy everything, mis-.
er," she jeered at him. "Mebbe your
In the snow. Tomorrow
day. MeAss youll miss
er II she amt home with you. Scoot
ut Of here. Don't be laggin', Old
larc, or she might freeze TO death
omewheres. It's bad night" 1
The last statement, true to every I
'ord, brought deep sob from Mac '
.enzie's throat. II was Immediately
ollowed by more Of the bitter laugh {
sr.
So changed was Polly OF the Silent t
lty that the gaping squatters who did {
OF know what was going to happen
ondered at her. They knew her no $
niger as Polly. the love-lass, or as d
oily Of the Sun L
A low rumble sounded in the girls
Iroat. She coughed, then flung out d
II said, It's bad night " Scoot k
It, mister, an look for your d-n lily
'ered woman somewheres else" d
Uuering an oath, Mackenzie fed, o
flowed by his companions. leaving h
AIRY Bishop staring at the pale squat II
T girl.