Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-04-07
Continued from Last Week.
CHAPTER XIV.

There was gloomy silence in the
shanty until the horses hoofs could
be heard no longer in the snow out
side. Larry Bishop erouched low in
Jeremiah's rocking chair, pulling in
nervous tension at his fingers until
the Joints cracked. He shot Polly
Hopkins a furtive glance but dropped
his thick lids before the unearthly eX-
preston in the girls eyes. She had
lost the look of heavenly compassion
that had given cheer to the squatters.
As his mind went back to the spring
days when she had so often smiled
comfort into his own aching heart, he
heaved a deep sigh. The sound of his
breath, catching in his throat, brought
Polly scrambling from the cot.
Unmindful of the morose squatter,
she began pacing the floor, holding icy
fingers to her aching temples.
BEST take the pillows off'n her,
Poll" muttered Bishop. She'll smOth-
er if you don't"
The girl paused and threw him a
glance over her shoulder.
"Get out of here, you Larry" she
babe him in fierce emphasis. Shed
better smother than get what's comm
to 'er. You an Lye hang around a
while till l call you. When I'm done
with 'er, you'll have to sink her in the
lake."
Staggering to his feet, Larry
brushed away the water that had
gathered in glistening drops upon his
brow.
"God, kid" he growled, 'you don't
seem human nj more. It's all so id
terrible I'm gettin' haunted. If you
change your mind, Poll, an not kill
Ter"
A gurgling noise came from under
the pillows on the cot, and as if an
unseen hand were pushing her for
ward, Pollyop strobe to the bed and
jerked away the small feather ticks.
Evelyn's eyes sought out the squat
ter man in mute pleading. Polly
laughed; and gray with horror at her
merciless attitude, Larry skunk to the
door.
Il guess this amt hone of my bust
ness" he mumbled, and opening it,
be fed as if pursued by a vindictive
spirit Of the Storm country.
Again with swift, long strides the
girl went to the door and barred it.
Then with utmost elaboration she
Tixhfod Cnuaro1 afhnr oandInc nnI cok
them in different parts of the hut I'M
til a food of light was diffused
through the room.
A long deep sigh fell from her lips
as she finished her task. She wanted
to see every wave OF pain that shot
across Evelyn MacKenzie's pallid
face; and that was why she ap-
preached the cot and stood looking
down upon the twisted figure.
All she had endured through the
rich girls perfdy swept over her like
a tidal wave. Out of the dark dream
of Jerry's going she could hear
through the moaning willows the
weird last cries of the baby. The
memory almost drew a shrek from
lef. Then she rolled the living bundle
nm the bed and propped in into a
s NJ position.
.ls wickedly deliberate as her every
{ ad been, so did she lift the ak
from the floor.
Like a chicken" she tainted. smil-
ing Gown into Evelyn's haggard face.
'yclyn struggled, and a muf1ed
s I'd came from back of the gag in
ler N.outh.
VALE Polly contemplated her, an
elrtien she used to know so often
rfv within her and tugged at her
fc"rt until the hurt made her clutch
{ her side. She dropped down and
ran her fingers under the heavy cord
with which the girl was bound.
Ropes hurtin' you, huh?" she
queried.
An affirmative bob Of her head vas
the ouly answer Mrs. Mackenzie could
give.
"TI 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 so long with that thing in your
mouth, then 1 bet you're hungry"
1t was scarcely ~perceptible, the
negative shake that followed this
question.
IF you've got to die you might as
well go on a full belly" ended Polly,
getting up.
She took a piece of hard bread and
poured some hot water on it. Watch
ing Evelyn ~frowningly, she beat them
together with a tin spoon. OF course,
the stuff was tasteless without sugarl
Polly knew 1t very well, because that