Middletown transcript., 1922-05-20


take the girl along to Jail"
To save the girl he loved. Robert
compelled himself to stand by while
the boy was torn bodily from her. He
saw one Of the men drag a blanket
from the bed and throw 1t around Wee
Jerry.
Then he snatched at the girl, but she
quickly eluded his grasp. How awfully
her eyes glowed, and how her face
twitched!
Get out with him before she cuts
up any MORE" growled Marcus. as
Polly bounded forward only to be met
by the speakers outstretched arms.
IF you make another scene. my
lady," he raped out, "I'll have you ar
rested for obstructing the law. And
remember this, huzzy. I'm going to get
you next"
His threat against herself meant
nothing to Polly Hopkins. But the
word "law"! 1t struck at her brain
like a hammer. She suddenly felt as If
tidal wave, strong and relentless, had
broken over her 1t was the same law
taking Jerry that had imprisoned Dad
dy Hopkins, that had carried away
Larry Bishop from his woman. The
thought brought her up with sharp
gasp. She did not care what they did
with her, but little Jerry, Wee Baby
Jerry!
"What you goln' to do with him, mis-
teri? she begged. wringing her hands.
'"Tell me that! l can't let i'm go till
you do"
She caught at his arm, and the
strong brown fingers dug deep into his
| flesh.
"Look into the paper there and you'll
see where I'm going to take him." an
swered Mackenzie. LET 90 Of my
arm! There!" He wrenched himself
free. Then. enraged and with eyes
flashing, he shouted, "Get out with the
kid, you men. and start Off"
Glad to be gone. the officials stepped
into the open. one Of them carrying
the wrlthing Jerry. Then Polly Hop
kins stood upright In the middle of the
shanty, grief. CONSERVATION. and then
an expression of insanity passing over
her face.
Robert Percival was near her. not
! daring to utter word; her deep-set
agony was too terrible for sympathy.
All at once she started forward; and
he made desperate effort to stop
her.
'Pollyop," he pleaded. AS she raced
through the doorway. he called: "Wait
walt"
| In an instant he was out beside her,
speaking her name softly, implorlngly.
She paid no heed to him, but flung up
her arms. And then she laughed
Marcus Mackenzie was standing beside
his horse, and on beyond In the lane
Carriage was rolling away, from which
came piteous screams from Jerry.
"Pollyop," entreated Robert.
But Polly had bounded from him to-
ward the man and the horse.
II hope" she shrleked at Mackenzie
II hope your hnnds'll wither off I'm
wishin' nll you love'll die before your
eyes. an every day I'll be askln' Gran
ny Hopes lovin' God to d--n you till
you drop rottin' in your grave"
Marcus had halted with his foot In
the stirrup. He had heard every word
she had uttered; and drops Of cold
sweat gathered on his brow. Then,
with an oath he vaulted into the sad
die, put the spurs to his horse and gal
loped up the hill after the retreating
carriage.
Robert was leaning Imply against
the side Of the shanty when Polly
Hopkins turned swiftly back. He spoke
to her; and she looked dazedly at him.
Then she laughed again. directly into
his face; and the young man, almost
as distraught as she, tried to take hold
Of her.
"You scoot, too," she said to him !;
"get out, an stay out; an'-an' tell
your lily-liyered cousin, I say, hope
If she ever has baby 1t won't have
no eyes to see 'er with, nor no mouth
to kiss 'er With hope
"Oh, God" groaned Robert.
Before he could get back his wits,
she had rushed past him into the
shack, slammed the door and barred 1t
against him.
For more than two hours Polly Hop
kins lay face down on her cot. During
that time her loving heart had broken
and died within her She had no longer
an incentive to live, no more desire
to look forward to Daddy's home COM
ing.
When at length she crawled to the
floor, all signs of tears had disap-
peured, leaving the once glowing eyes
dull and expresstohless. There was no
one left to love save the billy goat, and
to him she gave no heed.
In her aimless wandering about
the shanty she paused before the re-
production of "The Greatest Mother In
the World" Polly did not care for
her any more either. Deliberately she
took an old coat and hung 1t carefully
over the glorious solemn face. She
never wanted to look upon 1t again