The Raymer enterprise., 1922-09-14
Copyright BY utleGBrown and Company

big nanny an Granny Hope smiled
at me, l quit hatin' you an wantin
to kill your woman"
She struggled up and moving to the
wall, leaned against THE Greatest
Mother In the World" as IL she, too,
would add herself to the vast family
Of hurt ones.
Every one Of her words was directed
to Mackenzie.
Then I'm to understand" he asked
slowly, that you deliberately took my
wife away to kill her?'
But she didn't. Mare" interjected
Evelyn.
Marcus made a wide gesture with
one arm.
Hush, Eve" he muttered. II want
to hear what Miss Hopkins has to
say"
yep, l took her." trailed on Polly.
IAN l meant to croak her. too. an'
throw 'er In the lake. Just TO get even
with you, SIR"
"Then why didn't you do III" de-
manded Marcus.
Pollyop threw short glance at the
other man, standing white and silent.
She cleared her throat, and leaned
only the harder against the wall.
ION sudden" she continued. as II
eager to finish her tale, II somehow
remembered everything Granny Hope
learned me when she was In the shack
here. She always said, mister, when
you was devilish enough to snake
squatter from the Silent City"-Polly
paused and coughed, then proceeded
In the dead silence: Granny said
you was the image and likeness Of the
good God up In the sky an brother
to Jesus, the same as us squatters.
But said l didn't ever want TO fly
away to God II He looked like you!"
Leaving the wall she came forward
and hurried on: "An' l meant 1t them
times, an much more inter you rail
roaded my daddy and swiped Jerry
away from me-"
Marcus placed his wife In the chair
and stood up. He started to speak to
Pollyop; but Evelyn's cry caused him
to turn swiftly. The drabness Of her
face startled him.
Mare Robert" she said. II can't
go back home until I've told you some
thing No, Marc, don't stop me.
will talk. Now. listen. Oh, honey"
This appeal was to ner husband who
had laid his fingers on her shoulder.
wont you hold my hand while tell
IT.
Much moved, Marcus did as she re-
Quested. His firm clasp seemed to
encourage Evelyn, and she went on:
Darling, I've always been-dread-
full toto Polly Hopkins, and-and
she's been an angel to me-"
She was going to tell 1t all, ragged
through Polly's mind. Was she going
TO bring to light her relations with
the dead Oscarl Old Marc would
never forgive 1T Thinking more now
Of the baby coming next summer to
the almost incoherent woman than OF
her own happiness, Pollyop made
movement as If to contradict the state
ment; but Eyelyn's impetuous rush Of
words halted her.
mo, Polly. I'm going to put things
right now, even If Marc leaves me TO-
night" she declared, clearing her
throat. Robert. dear boy, lied to
you. | lied to Polly and to you, Mar
Gus. Oscar Bennett wasn't POlly's
sweetheart at all. He-he was my
husband"
Mackenzie Suffered, but did not
drop the cold fingers he held; and
Evelyn wept bitterly, unable to go on.
A horse whinnled outside; but In
the shanty no sound could be heard
save the hysterical sobbing Of Evelyn.
It seemed to Robert as II he must
shake from his cousin the rest Of the
dark story, so impatient was he to
hear 1t.
"Then-then when you came my
my beloved" Evelyn raised her tired
eyes to her husband. 81 tried to get
rid Of him. ! did my best to get Polly
Hopkins to promise ned marry Oscar
after he had freed me. l wanted to
yet him out Of the country"
Unwilling to spare herself the least
she ended In piteous cen
fusion: ~ was glad when / knew he
was dead"
"Then how did he dle?" came swift
y from Mackenzie.
"Oh, just as the doctor told you,
Marc, DEAR" replied Evelyn. "He was
struck by lightning and died from the
shock. was free then, and-and
made Polly swear over and over again
,he'd never tell any one! And-and
gave her the silk dress she wore that
day In the Auburn car. l-I-lied
lbout that. too. But, Marc, dear love,
| knew you hated her and"
Robert bounded to his feet as the
girls words trailed away into silence.
Over MacKenxie's face were speeding
10 many different expressions that the
,earching brown eyes Of Polly Hop
kins could not ten whether ho In