The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-07-06

Polly was happier. She could not have
explained, II she had been asked why
the agony Of doubt had given place to
warmer glow about her heart when
she thought OF Daddy Hopkins. Away
on up there In the gloom of the prison,
he had received mothers bcnedlc-
tlon; 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
n little and lessened the stabblng 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 OF, the old-time cry would be-
gin:
"Wnnt to play horse wifi my Daddy
Hopklnsi Wee Jerry wants Daddy
Hopklnsw
She was looking Mt him one morn.
Ing after one Of his spells of weeping,
and wlstfully considering II there
might be way to hurry him Off to
Auburn for n day, when Evelyn Rob
ertson suddenly appeared In the
shanty door.
For 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. ana 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 em-
barrnssment.
"Pollyop." she began, catching her
breath, 81 just had to speak to you.
I'm going TO be married to Mr.. McKen-
zle, and came to talk to you about It
and-and "a bring the baby some
candy"
Her expression grave with surprise,
Polly scrutinlzed her coldly.
"Jerry'd rather have his Daddy
Hopkins than candy" she retorted,
frownlng.
Miss Robertson drew back a little,
shaking her head.
81 couldn't manage that, I'm afraid"
she said soberly, "but-"
Pollyop shifted uneaslly.
"Mebbe you could get Old Marc TO
say | could take Jerry to Auburn,
thenT" she ventured "Jerry1l die II
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.
"Ies, | could do that, I'm sure" she
answered, smiling broadly. I'D love
to do II, too"
The forlorn droop nt the corners
Of Polly's mouth disappeared.
'Mebbe II | could get something TO
wear" she hesitated.
II had never occurred to Miss Rob-
ertson how Pollyop managed for cloth
| Ing. She had so much herself she was
blind 10 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 II too, And I'll persuade Mr.,
Mackenzie TO get you Il permit to 90
| 10 Auburn"
Polly felt her heart grow big. Then
after all, she could take Wee Jerry TO
his daddy.
IL s'Spose-I sspose," she hesitated
trembling, you couldn't tell your cous
In" Her throat caught In sob but
she cleared 1t, and went on, lust tell
I'm Oscar wasn't my manT"
Evelyn Robertson had often lived
over the horror OF the minutes when
! the shameful secret of her marriage
| 60 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 good
name could not be much of loss tC
a squatter.
"of course l couldn't do that" she
returned sharply. "Why-why should
you want"
The squatter girls gaze lifted tC
the speakers face, and tears wellet
over the fringed lids. Then Evelyn
read the truth; aud her eyes glinted
and narrowed.
"Mereiful Heavens, you're In love
with my cOusinl" she exclaimed. rs
that what you mean2"
The brown head fell forward. and
name-hot face was hidden In the
chestnut curls.
"And he loves you. too" cried Ev.
elyn, In dlsdaiD. "What a fool was
not to discover that before How per
fectly awfull That's what has been
the matter with him for months"
She snatched Pollyop's arm and
| ch b