Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-09-07

ran her fingers under the heavy cord
with which the girl was bound.
Ropes hurtin' you, huhT" she
queried.
An affirmative bob of her head was
the only answer Mrs. Mackenzie could
give.
"Tn undo 'em a bit" said Polly
sulkily. "Loosenin' up a few strings
don't say you won't get what's comm
to you"
With her strong, white teeth and
deft fingers she united the heavy
knots that pinioned the slender arms.
did the squatters give you any
thing to eat?" she asked. rocking back
on her heels. IF you was in Larry's
hut 30 long with that thing in your
mouth, then / bet you're hungryl"
1t was scarcely ~'perceptible, the
negative shake that followed this
question.
IF you've got to die you might as
well go OF a full belly" ended Polly,
getting up.
She took a piece Of hard bread and
poured some hot water on 1t. Watch
Ing Evelyn fr~owningly, she beat them
together with q tin spoon. Of course.
the stuff was ~tasteless without sugarl
Polly knew 1t very well, because that
wa what she had for supper every
night.
She turned away from the cup In
her hand and went to a small cup
board over which hung d fimsy u I
tain, Back behind a few old dishes
she had hidden a little sugar one Of
the squatter women had given her.
She had kept 1t against Daddy Hop
kins' homecoming and for Jerry, too
perhaps. With woeful, in-caught sobs,
she poured half of 1t into the cup.
Then she crossed to Evelyn and picked
up the ak.
I'm goin' to take this rag out OF
your mouth" she said, IAN mind you
don't squeal, OF I'll send you double
quick to your first man. Now hold
still This'll hurt a bitl"
With her eyes on the agonized face.
she drew gently at the corners Of the
rag stuffed into Evelyn's mouth. When
it cane out, Evelyn gave a deep groan
and her cramped jaws settled rigidly.
TIN goin' to feed you now" said
Polly. -T,here amt no hurry, cause
we got all night ,a.
Then some minutes passed In silence
while the squatter girl, bit BY bit,
forced the pap between Mrs. Mac.
Kennels teeth.
snow drink the water. she urged
grimly. TITS warm an got sugar In
it."
Az 1t In q trance, she got up and
placed the cup on the table. she put
9 stick Of wood into the. stove and
turning, caught Evelyn's eyes upon
her. Then she sat down and consid-
cred the unhappy girl who had been
delivered up to the justice Of the
Storm country.
Neither OF them spoke. One Of them
was praying duly TO herself, and Polly
Hopkins was recounting mentally all
the evil deeds Of Evelyn and her
naughty husband, Marcus Mackenzie.
II was necessary to keep Daddy's griea
ever before her mind and listen WITH
the ears Of her tortured spirit to
Jerry,s shrieks to be able to keen on
with the grdesome thing she had un-
dertaken.
You amt goin' to die till i tell You
something, Miss she broke forth, fnal-
". 1T amt news to ycu, but i lust
got TO make you understand why I'm
putting you In the lake."
wealrness kept Evelyn from answer.
Ing. Her eyes rolled up toward the
shanty root, then shut al the thought
of the Icy waters Of Cayuga.
n can't hurt your wicked rna ,cepts
In through you,w went on Pollyop. eve
squatters are goins to learn him i les.
son he won't forget as long as he's III
this world You can BET your boots
On thati"