The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-03-17
and polIy slipped one arm around her

at"' ostS sa'Ppcu DstS skM AtSuhu hr'
4 waist.
"You want 10 be free from me, EN-?
! That's II, IL ifT' he sneered. "some
other guy looming up to love, | spose.
Well. don't mtnd who gets my ieav-
lngs II you make II worth my while.
Hut II not---'
| EveIyn's pale, beseecnIng face lifted
to his. She could not quit him with
out his promise that she should have
her freedom. Neither must he think
that she could get him large sum
OF money.
II can't get another dollar" she re-
peated hoarsely. II simply can't. And
land must be free"
A frown drew the mans heavy
brows together until they touched, and
he lifted his fist to strike; but Polly
Hopkins. by one swift movement.
thrust Evelyn from under the mans
appraised arm and crowded In between
them. Because Evelyn was his wife,
he had the right to beat her II he
pleased. Polly thought, but he would
not dare TO strike Polly.
III you've got to swat some one. Os-
car" she gritted between her teeth,
swat me I"
The beautiful white face came close
TO Benefits, and the challenge In the
squatter girls flashing eyes stirred q
feeling within him that he never had
had for Evelyn Robertson. Oscar had
always believed that woman must
fear q man TO respect him, and that TO
respect him meant TO love him. He
did not want Evelyn Robertson In the
farmhouse. but he did want money and
Polly Hopkins. II he could master
her as he had Eve. she would come to
him willingly when he was ready for
her.
Working on that principle, he struck
out. AS the huge fist came In contact
with Pollyop's shoulder, she staggered
backward. Her low cry was followed
by Eyelyn's scream. The squatter girl
sank to the floor Imply. No one had
ever struck her before.
you've killed her" cried Evelyn;
and Oscar Bennett. fearful that the
girls clamor would summon some in
quisitiye squatter, turned swiftly to
so.
Both Of You keep mum about this,
my lady, he ordered. sim off Seer"
With that he tore open the shanty
door: and Evelyn stood painting with
her hand on her heart until the sound
OF his running footsteps was lost In
the wlndstorm.
Then Evelyn led. Polly Hopkins
home One arm hung at the squatter
girls side; and the pain In her Shout
der, where Oscars fist had landed, was
terrific. on nearing the shack. Polly
whispered
sAiebbe he'll be quiet a while now
You'd best scoot home, huh?"
A small box passed from Eyelyn's
handbag to the squatter girls pocket
II brought them for jerry" said
Evelyn softly, "and oh. Polly, what
ever can | do for you TO even up
thlngs2 Perhaps"
"Scoot home" interrupted Polly,
I'm goin' In"
Pollyop stole into the shanty In the
greatest torment she had ever known
Granny Hope and Daddy Hopkins had
gone to bed, and she could hear her
fathers loud breathing from the back
room. She was glad Of that, for II he
were to learn how she had been hurt,
his rage would know no bounds she
lighted candle and looked about
dazcdly. The billy goat was snuggled
against the w0od-box; and Mamie
Lamb poked her head up and blinked
at the light. Polly put down the
carrlle and slipped the dress from her
shoulder. How dreadfully II hurt her
oh, how she wanted something to
make her misery less But squatters
ltd not have money to spend on drug.
store remedies
From an old can she poured little
coal oil on rag and bathed the In
jured flesh. Then she took up the
lamb and dropped into a chair by the
table. In sheer exhaustion her head
sank down upon II, After while she
Strengthened up, threw back her curls,
and raised the lambs face to hers, a
wry smile tlltting across her lips.
ITS goIn' to be hard job loyin'
Oscar and Old Mare like Jesus loved
wicked folk, Nannyop," she said under
her breath. '.but mebbe now been
face to face with angel. can do IT.
Again her head fell forward; but
almost instantly she arose, and with
the lamb in her right arm like a baby,
moved to the side of the bed. Then
she snuggled the lamb under the
blankets and put Granny Hopes Bible
beneath her pillow, Carefully she
slipped OF her clothes and put on q
coarse nightrobe. Then, having snuffet
the candle. she crawled in beside the
lamb.
CHAPTER vi.
4 | e. -.