Middletown transcript., 1922-05-06
Storm Country Polly
by Grace Miller White
ABrovn&
Copyright by Little, Brown & Co.

few minutes before train time a
high-powered motor car drew up to
the platform.
''We've got the drawing-room,
Mare" explained Robert Percival
"and while you three are shopping,
I'm going to dig around Auburn a
Bit"
Il suppose you're going to call on
your friend, jeremiah" taunted Mac
Kenzie. Bob, I'll give you pointer
Drop that case! There's no power on
earth that can open the prison doors
for Hopkins"
To this Robert did not reply. In
deep reverie he helped his aunt and
cousin from the automobile and fol-
lowed them to the car.
When Polly heard number of
people come into the stateroom, she
put one hand over her lips. She
strained her ears to hear If Jerry had
made move. How she hoped the
dear baby had fallen asleep, and that
he would not wake up until they
were in Auburn! AS unexpected as
the voice of one long dead, the sound
Of familiar tones came to her ears.
The words were:
"Now, Mrs. Robertson, you sit there,
and you too, Eve. Then you won't
have to ride backward. Bob and I'll
sit here"
The squatter girls heart nearly
jumped out of her mouth. There, with
In touching distance, was her power
full enemy. Her flesh tingled as If
bees had stung her. Robert Percival,
and Evelyn too, We're there. PollyOp
shivered and wished that she had
waited until tomorrow, or perhaps the
day after.
She tried to drive out the fear of
being discovered and think only of
Jerry's happiness and Daddy's. To
make her heart beat less fast, she
tried earnestly to think of some words
that Jesus would hear and under
stand. But even that desire was
driven from her as two heavy bodies
dropped upon the seat above her.
Plainly sne saw two pairs of mems
ppotS hCoi ViouSli W touCH / size
moved an inch forward.
Back against the side of the car she
pushed her head, noiselessly drawing
her thick curls over her shoulder to
make more room. How intensely she
wished they were in Auburn! If the
train would only start ahead she was
sure she would lose the insane desire
to open her mouth and scream.
Then a whistle from the engine, and
as If the man at the throttle had heard
the inward cry of her frightened
young soul, the train began to move
slowly. AS 1t crossed the northern
end of the town, one of the owners
of the boots near her face grew eX-
ceedingly restless, and of n sudden he
pushed his foot directly against her
nose. Gently she showed 1t away; and
low exclamation from above fol-
lowed instantly.
Then strong large hand lifted the
velvet hangings; and before Pollyop
could stir, a set of fingers took sharp
hold of her face. In her frightened
state she threw the hand off and an
other ejaculation came to her ears.
Then two hands came under and
groped for grip. She fought strenu-
ously to hold her place; but the per-
son pulled her out by main force.
Polly Hopkins was almost fainting
when Robert Percival placed her on
her feet. The silk dress, partly
tucked in Daddy's boots and partly
out, was covered with dust. In silent
embarrassment she stopped and
brushed it. Then she glanced up i'm
plOringly.
Robert, wax-white, was staring ut
her as If he could not believe his eyes;
and Mackenzie. carried away by the
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. "Im goin' to Auburn
to see my Daddy Hopkins"
Her voice was high-pitched and
tensely toned. Her gaze sought one
after another until 1t rested on Eve
lyn Robertson, huddled back In the
corner of the seat.
'YOu can make him leave me be.
ma'am," Polly went on. II got a right
to go to Auburn as wells any one
else"
An unfeellng laugh left MacKenzie's
lips; and sharp exclamation fell
from Percival.
"You're thief" Marcus thrust in
grimly. "a little thief. You're steal
ing ride"
With all her fighting instinct
reused, Polly squared herself.
"Sure, I'm stealin' ride" she re-
torted. II couldn't ride honest; you
wouldn't let me. My Daddy Hop
kins-"
"It 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. 1t
seemed as if a thousand hostile eyes