The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-05-19
CHAPTER xvII-continued.

The snow was still falling quietl,
with a throb at his heart. caught the
thread of light at the edge Of the win
dow blind of his home. Then his Pol
lyop was still up.
Cover your horses and wait here.
directed Percival to the driver. Then
10 Hopkins he said: "As l told you
sir. your daughters suffered frightfuI-
ly. Poor girl. am afraid, II you APP
peared without warning. the shock
would be too much for her. Do as we
agreed In town, and go to Bishops
shack until l come for you. I'll tell
her you and the boy are home"
long sigh slipped from the squat
ter's lips. He desired to rush In and
hold his gIrl-brat to his overweight
emotion Roberts tale of his PolIyops
trials and now as he recolected them.
he could scarcely restrain himself. Yet
he-realized the young man was right.
so. pulling the chlld's bowed legs
around his neck, he faded stoidly In
to the falling snow.
Inside the hut Polly Hopkins was
seated, tensely silent, her slender fin
gers casped together about her knees.
Suddenly she heard voices other than
the low hum of MacKenzie's questions
and Evelyn's sobbing answers in the
coop-hole.
she arose slowly. ready TO spring
at Larry Bishop or Lye Braeger il
they appeared at the door. TO send
them away instantly was the decision
that she made as she saw the latch
lift and the door slowly swing In. A
figure she recognized with startled eyes
stepped across the thresholds she sat
down, but was up again before he
spoke.
The man she had so longed TO see
had come again. But now he was here,
she did not dare let him stay mo-
ment. Marcus Mackenzie might come
out of the coop-hole even before she
could send the newcomer away. While
he was pressing his great coat collar
down over his shoulders. she tiptoed
to him and with uplifted hand whis-
pered:
'IIushi Go awayl Go away
auicki" Making a backward gesture.
she added: There's some one In the
coop-hole | don't want you to see"
His elrand having completely left
his Mid. Robert. after a moment of
startled Inspection. stopped stihiy by.
the door. The resentment and jealousy |
he lad nursed so long flared into ac-
tive life and licked him like flames.
been paid for with squatter money
She was beautiful SO much his eyes
told him, but he knew she was not
honest
She had said there was some one
In the
lie fixed her with stern eyes and
then showed her aside.
I'm going to see who he is" he
poIiys fingers caught him as he
tried to pass her.
mo. you can't go in there" she
cried. "Please don't do it,"
The sound of their voices brought
Marcus Mackenzie out into the kitchen
IN one stride. He halted at the sight
" 10 Roberts arm. An exclamation
proke- from him; and with one wrench
'erciyal was free and was at him.
$50 it's you'll" he said in a tone that
old Polly Hopkins what was in his
mind. Damn you, you hypocrite--'
His voice broke off. and he brushed
lis eyes across with shaking fingers
There behind Marcus in the coop-hole :
Doorway was his pale cousin.
"Evelyn!" he gasped thiclSly. God,
what's this all aboutl Every one Of
on look Us if-as If"
Bewldered and overcome, he could
OF finish his sentence.
Marcus had caught Evelyn to him !
nd Pollyop. tearIessly ashamed had
unk into the big chair to hide he
merry which she knew had brought
ne hurt into Roberts eyes. She
ished she was clothed in daddy's
puts and her own calico dress
"Shut the door. Bob" Marcus or
cred az calmly as he could.
Mccn0 nlcaiy RODert diu us nc - +,
dden. When he turned again. Maj
as was seated. with Evelyn ciinglng
him. and Pollyop's face was COW
ed by one arm.
Evelyn began TO cry weakly.
Bob. dear" she broke out, looking
y at her cousin with streaming eyes. \
po,sSop's been so good to me-
Tint sounded TO Polly as If some S
ne else were to be punished for the II
lights work.
mo. amt" she protested. lifting |
sr head. ~ was awful bad I were d
ne only one TO blame. | hated every a
ne Of you. Let me tell all of you |
bout IT,"
She began at the beginning and re- g
Gated how she had concocted the plan O
} steal Mrs Mackenzie. She spoke So
Larry and Lye as her two friends. "a
ui dif act mention their names. X