Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-06-01

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warmer glow about her heart when
she thought of Daddy Hopkins: Away
off up there in the gloom of the prison,
he had received a mothers benedlc-
ton; Polly believed this with all her
soul. Jerry and she too had come in
for their share; and this new conf
dence lifted the shadow from her eyes
a little and lessened the stabbing hurt
In her side.
The thing that tormented her most
was Jerry's constant mourning for his
father. Day by day she had racked
her brains for ways to amuse him, but
as soon as the novelty Of the play had
worn off, the Old-tfme cry would be-
gin:
"Want to play horse wifi my Daddy
Hopkins Wee Jerry wants Daddy
HOpkins!"
She was looking at him one morn
ing after one of his spells of weeping,
and wistfully considering If there
might be way to hurry him off to
Auburn for day, when Evelyn Rob-
ertson suddenly appeared in the
shanty door.
For a long time Evelyn's conscience
had made her uncomfortable. Even
though her days were. exceedingly
busy. the remembrance Of the squatter
girls pale, pleading face tormented
her, and she was fearful PollyOp
might not keep the promise she had
made, and Marcus Mackenzie would
be lost forever.
So astounded was Polly Hopkins to
see the girl that she neglected to ask
her in. Overlooking this, Miss Rob-
ertsOn stepped into the room in en-
barrassment.
"Pollyop," she began, catching her
breath, 81 just had to speak to you.
I'm going to be married to Mr.. McKen-
zie, and came to talk to you about 1t
and-and to bring the baby some
candy"
Her expression grave with surprise,
Polly scrutinized her coldly.
"JCrry'd rather have his Daddy
Hopkins than candy" she retorted,
frOwning.
Miss Robertson drew back q little,
shaking her head.
II couldn't manage that, I'm afraid"
she said soberly, ''but-"
Pollyop shifted Uneasily.
'Mebbe you could get Old Marc to
say could take Jerry to Auburn,
then?" she ventured. "Jerry'll die if
he don't see his daddy. He's gettin'
thinner an thinner every day. He's
been yelling like mad all mornin'."
Evelyn pondered on this an instant.
"Yes, could do that I'm sure" she
answered, smiling broadly. I'D love
to do it, too"
The fOrlorn droop at the corners
of Polly's mouth disappeared.
"Mebbe, II ] could get something to
wear" she hesitated.
1t had never occurred to Miss Rob-
ertson how Pollyop managed for cloth
ing. She had so much herself she was
blind to another's need; but, as she
had come to demand favor, then per-
haps she had better offer as much as
she could.
"Polly," she calculated, "you've been
awfully good to me, and you can have
any one Of my dresses you want, and
keep it too. And I'll persuade Mr..
Mackenzie to get you permit to go
to Auburn"
Polly felt her heart grow big. Then,
after all, she could take Wee Jerry to
his daddy.
II sspOse-I s'spose," she hesitated,
trembling, "yOu couldn't tell your cous-
in" Her throat caught in sob but
she cleared 1t, and went on, "just tell
i'm Oscar wasn't my mann"
Evelyn Robertson had often lived
over the horror Of the minutes when
the shameful secret of her marriage
to Oscar Bennett was so nearly dis
closed to Robert Percival. More than
once had she congratulated herself
upon the cleverness with which she
had avoided that danger. To be sure
her escape had been at the expense
of POlly's reputation. She regretted
the necessity but reasoned that a good
name could not be much Of a loss to
a squatter.
"Of course l couldn't do that" she
returned sharply. "Why-why should
you want"
The sQuatter girls gaze lifted to
the speakers face, and tears welled |
over the fringed lids. Then Evelyn |
read the truth; and her eyes gilnted |
and narrowed.
"Merciful Heavens. you're In love
with my couslnr she exclaimed. us |
that what you meant"
The brown head fell forward. and
a flame-hot face was hidden In the
chestnut curls.
"And he loves you, too" cried Ev-
elyn. in disdaln. "What a fool was
not to discover that beforel How per-
fectly awful That's what has been
the matter with him for months"
She saatched Pollyop's arm and
shook her.
Its absolutely mad Of you to think
of my cousin In that way" she con-
tinued. her voice hoarse with fear.