The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-06-29
CHAPTER xI.-contlnued.


where thought shot into her mind
that II he were, her troubles were over
81 don't know" she whispered. "But
he looks sow
Pollyop showed Evelyn aside and
slipped her arm under Bennetts head.
She seemed to have lost all aversion to
him. She realized then only that a
human being was suffering, perhaps
dead At her tender touch the mans
eyes flew open; and, panic-strlcken,
Pollyop withdrew her arm and was
back beside the other girl before she
spoke.
Hes got life In him, Miss Eve" she
chattered between her teeth. Look
at his eyesl God, amt IT awful"
Quietly Oscar lay gazing at the girls
as they stared at him. Polly was the
first to go TO him.
"Feel awful sick, en- Oscnr1" she
asked In low tone.
The man did not answer even by
movement of his lids.
"Iie can't talk" she went on, look
ing around at Evelyn. "IIe ought to
have n doctor. Can't you go up to the
boulevard an get Doc Bacop1"
A fresh burst OF tears so choked
Evelyn Robertson that for u space she
could not answer.
"No, | can't go out In this awful
storm again." she finally replied. "of
lowing. am afraid. won't goi
won't take step, II any one goes"
"Then stay by him." interJected
Polly, duly. "an' I'll gol"
Ashamed to declare that she was
afraid to he left alone with Oscar,
Evelyn watched Pollyop as she went
out and softly closed the door behind
her.
Polly Hopkins fingered several mo-
ments 20 accustom her eyes TO the
nights blackness. Beyond TO the east
Lake Cayuga rushed on toward Ithaca
as II It's Intentions were TO swallow the
little town In one huge mouthful. Pol
lyop crooned over mechanically words
which fell hourly from Granny Hope.
ASK an II shall be given thee" she
whispered. "rhen II that's so, let me
get some one to help Oscarr
Through the clatter Of the elements
she heard the sound OF footsteps on in
the dark road. An answer to her
prayer was about To step out of the
night gloom. she hoped II was Larry
Bishop or Lye Braeger. Opening her
lips, she gave the weird, crying, squat
ter-call OF the Storm country and a
voice that clutched ut her heart an
swered her.
Then 10y the next fash Of Jagged
lightning, she saw Robert Perclyal
coming toward her.
"Is that you, Pollyg" he called.
"What's the matterp
"Yep," she faltered tlmldly. 81 got
some one sick In the shanty."
OF all the people she had expected
20 see, he was the last. As she waited
for him TO approach, Pollyops active
mind grasped the fact tnat how Robert
would know what his cousin had done.
She saw no way to keep him In lg-
nornnce OF Evelyn's relation to Oscar,
and she was too excited to think OF an
excuse to keep him outside.
"Pollyop," commenced Robert, 81
had TO see you II only for few min
utes. Wait second before you go
In"
Confused and agItated, the girl did
not stir step until he was bending
over her. One arm went around her
shoulders, one tender hand pressed her
head against his breast.
'Daddy's gonel" she choked almost
inaudibly. They've took him to Au-
burn, huh7"
"Yes, dear child" answered Robert,
his own throat full with emotion.
"But what l came to tell you Is this,
dear. I've already set things moving
To bring him back. couldn't sleep to-
night until | saw you"
A long shudder ran the length OF
Polly's body; her legs grew SO weak
she would have fallen but for the
strong arms holding her up.
II want him awful bad" came up in
breath 10 the pale young man.
"And ! say, Polly dear, that he's
coming home" repeated Robert, "and
every day ! want you TO expect him.
win you trust me, darlngI"
He bad asked her that question
once, but that was before Old Marc
had railroaded Daddy Hopkins to Au-
burn.
"Will you, PollyopT urged Robert
passionately, lifting her face and lay
ing his warm lips on hers.
With swift-coming breaths she flung
both arms around his neck
"I'll trust you every day an all
day. She hesitated and turned her
head. A sound In the hut had T. .sht-
ened her. She knew Robert had heard
II. too for he reached out his hand TO
open the door.
SVEN go In" said he, taking her
arm and gathering both OF her hands
into his.
BY sudden movement, Polly
F., pushed him backward.
"Td rather you'd make on" she told
him. unsteadily. "Mebbe ! can find a