The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1922-03-29

cries. Keeping his eye on the other
mans back. he ran his fingers over
the curtain until he came to the curly
head OF Polly Hopkins. Two tender
pats fell upon It, Then he, too, crossed
10 the center of the room.
you're hospitable chap, Bob, "
laughed Marcus. "Heigh-ho! but to-
day I've been some busy. I'll bet' you
a quarter of dollar II won't be three
months before / get every squatter off
that shore The fact Of II Is, I've only
got TO catch Hopkins, and the restll
be easy. He's ii bad actor; and that
girl Of his is saucy baggage"
"She's very good girl" Robert in
terposed in deep tones, "and very pref
ty, too"
The bookcase draperies moved ever
so little. Polly Hopkins almost burst
with joy when she heard those words.
Pretty enough, l suppose" Marcus
conceded, but not good. She's like
the rest-bad clean through
The curtains moved a little more !;
and Robert caught the sway of them
out OF the tail OF his eye. He felt that
IL Mackenzie did not go soon, he would
throw him out. What the girl would
do If Mare started TRADE against her
father Robert did not dare contem-
plate.
Look mere, Mare" he burst forth,
you're all wrong about those people,
all dead wrong. They don't harm any
one, as can See Why can't you live
and let live?'
His eyes flashing, Marcus stood up.
mo harm, no harm, you say" he
fiared. why, they steal everything in
sight. and in a few more years there
won't be fish left in the lake. There
won't be anything to catch in season
or out, If the squatters keep up their
Internal poachlng. Hunting and fish
ing are for gentlemen, my dear Bob !!
Don't forget that"
Gentlemen be dr. calculated
Robert, and then the curtains swayed
SO that he got TO his feet and started
toward the door.
Marc" he continued, perhaps we
can't agree on this matter at all, but
/ really do want heart-to-heart talk
with you about it, But not now! The
fact is / was busy when you came
in"
Thinking up few more pleas for
the squatters, eh?' the other man
tcased. well, old fellow, just remem-
Der this. I've got az least twenty-five
Of Hopkins does, and when / get
something on him, there won't be twen-
ty-four hours between that time and
his arrest"
Robert almost showed the speaker
out of the door; but Marcus only
chuckled good-naturedly as he went
away. When Robert turned the key
in the lock, he stood quite still, breath
ing hard.
From behind the curtais, Polly
thrust out her head, her small face
wrinkled and tears standing thick In
her eyes.
I'm a-goin' after that pup an swat
him." she Kissed stormily. "He lies
when he says my daddy's scamp"
Percival lifted precautionary hand.
"Not too loud" he warned. Come
here" She went slowly forward, her
head hanging; but when he held out
his hands she snatched them and bent
her curly head over the strong fingers
and kissed them passiOnately.
"Poor little girl, poor little Polly
murmured Robert, brokenly. Then as
she swayed toward him, his arms went
around hef, and for a moment he
pressed her head against his breast.
polly, Pollyop," he whispered, kiss
ing her hair. "Oh. God, IL owned that
lake property Td-Td-"
A certain deep tone in his voice
brought up Pollyop's head, and she
saw in his eyes an expression that
made her struggle from his arms.
Fleeing to the porch window, she was
gone before Robert could stop her.
"Bob's a queer fish, Eve" laughed
Mackenzie. as he came into the music
room where Evelyn Robertson was
waiting for him. IF I hadn't kept my
temper just now, we should have
| parted bad friends"
That's like you, dear" she smiled.
"But then, of course you wouldn't let
him bother you. Fusslng about the
squatters again, / suppose"
Evelyn took his big fingers in her
hand and occupied herself in examin-
ing the white spots on one of the pol
ished nails
MY big man mustn't mind Bobs, .
she exclaimed persuasively, noting the
frowning lines that had come In HIS
face. Hes sentimental, Robert is,
full Of half-baked notions about broth.
erly love and helping the downtrodden
and that sort of thing"
The man laughed indulgently. II
delighted him to have the girl Of his
choice express his own sentiments 20
well.
you preciousr he murmured.
They can't fool INV I've much. can