Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-03-24

LO OUGA ACA AhOANAA oAtA 6NIEtIm
Then a whistle from the enpino
as If the man at the throttle had boaua
the inward cry of her frlgbtoa.s
young soul, the train began To ny
slowly. AS 1t crossed the northo"
end of the town, one Of the owrs.1
of the boots near her face grew !"
ceedingly restless, and of a sudden !.
pushed his foot directly against h..
nose. Gently she showed IL away. ~
a low exclamation from above ~
lowed instantly.
Then a strong, large hand lifted n.
velvet h%angings and before Pollvos
could stir, a set of fingers took sbors
hold of her face. In her frigbton.s
state she threw the hand off and an
other ejaculation came to her oar.
Then two hands came under ora
CROPPED for a grip. She fought strenr,
ously to hold her place; but the No,
son pulled her out by main force.
Polly Hopkins was almost faintin,
when Robert Percival placed her on
her feet. The silk dress. nartlv
tucked in Daddy's boots and nartlv
out, was covered with dust. In silent
embarrassment she stopped and
brushed 1t. Then she glanced M i'm.
ploringly.
Robert, wax-white, was staring Al
her as If he could not believe his eyess
and Mackenzie, carried away BY tbs
rage within him, viciously clutched at
her arm. Pollyop dragged herself
away frow the strong fingers.
Don't touch me, you" she snapped
hoarsely at him. 'Tm goin' to Auburn
to see my Daddy Hopkins"
Her voice was high-pitched and.
tensely toned. Her gaze sought one
after another until it rested on Eve
Ign Robertson, huddled back in the
corner of the seat.
"You can make him leave me b..
ma'am," Polly went on. 81 got a right
to go to Auburn as wells any one
else"
An ~unfeeling laugh left MacKenzes
lips; and a sharp exclamation fell
from Percival.
you're a thief" Marcus thrust in
grimly. "a little thief. You're steal
ing a ride"
With all her fighting instinct
reused, Polly squared herself.
"Sure, I'm stealin' a ride" she re-
torted. 81 couldn't ride honest; YOU
wouldn't let me. My Daddy Hop
kins-"
at seems to me-" interrupted Mrs.
Robertson haughtily, "that she's stolen
something else besides a ride. That
dress you have on, Miss where'd you
get it?"
Polly's under lip dropped, It
seemed as If a thousand hostile eyes
were glaring at her.
Its Evelyn's Dress" went on the
lady. "Take that coat off and let me
See."
Before Robert could interfere, Mac
Kenzie had grasped Pollyop by the
shoulders and had stripped on the
heavy coat. And there she stood, hei
bare young arms and %sunburned neck
exposed, her scarlet face hidden S&
handful of curls. She was - evel
whelmed with shame she could NJ
say a word.
"Twice a thief" gritted MacKenzi
II suppose you didn't give her this
Ever
With one long finger he pointed at
the dress, but his eyes, sparkling With
anger, were on Evelyn.
Never had Miss Robertson been 10
such a dilemma. Never had she felt
so much like quietly fainting away.
did your" demanded Marc, one
more.
mo, no." denied the girl, trembling
mo, of course / didn't give it to hs
Why should II"
MacKenzie's sharp, "YouIl Land
where your father is, you huzN
brought Polly's flashing glance upa
him. Untaught to deceive for De-
own advantage, she could not fathon
Evelyn's direct f%alsehood. To lie ia
a daddy, to keep a squatter frenu
from prison-yes, she would nave
done that, but a dress! And Eyelsn
had given it to her, too! She turner
her burning eyes upon the other gFl
and there she read with slcKenns
certainty that the gift of the roOe
must be buried in the grave Win "
car Bennett. If Jerry had mol Desn
tucked away back of the skirts OF NV
two women, Polly would have mau.
a dash for liberty, but she could NV
leave the baby. Would no one nep
her? Her eyes sought Roberts lacs'
and as if he were awaking 1rom
dream, he picked up the coat.
"Ill hand her over to the cOnuuc
ear" Marcus proceeded. Hell AnO"
what to do with her." and ne put ="
his hand to grasp her.
mo you won't" snapped hove.s
moving in front of Pollyop. III Nv.
after her myself, and if you folks-sal.
to stay friendly with me, just wv,
mention this" He held out the c1'