The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-06-09

| Ithnca'll be better OF when you're
| food Tor the fishes. I'm glad your
manll live. though. Lordy. how ]
| laughed when he busted into the
shanty. And there was you right be-
side mel HuhS Wasn't II good
Joke on Old MarcY
The speaker held Evelyn's stare. the
chestnut eyes giittering as the ques-
sion was fairly spit out.
II cant die, Pollyopi" groaned Eve
| i'm. her head dropping against the
cot. "Oh. Polly dear. listen please"
Polly reached out for the AK.
don't yos dare Polly dear me-"
she grated eonyulsiyeiy. cor Ill hit
sou with thisl'
God I--Jesns !" came from between
Evelyn's chastering teeth. mo, don't
pick II mp pon'ti oh, want to tell
you something, Polly Hopkins"
"Then dire ahead" Polly grumbled
sulIenly.
She withdrew her fingers from the
ax-handie aud leaned her chin In the
palm % her hand.
Evelyn Strengthened up and bent
forward, her eyes swimming with
tears.
polly" she gasped, "Pollyop. In the
summer Gods going 10 send me lit
tie baby. oh. Polly"
The squatter girl scrambled up as
the speaker dropped back, terrified at
the exultant fire In the brown eyes and
the awful smile that crept across Pol
iy's face.
"Glory be TO God In the sky I" she
cried. Two OF you belongin' to Old
Marc goin' with one swipe OF the AK"
| She wheeled around and paced the
length OF the shanty. Old Mares baby
old Mares womanl Both to 90 out
OF his life foreverl And by her hands
-hers, Polly Hopkins handsl
She lifted them up, those slender.
brown fingers. and looked ut them
against the candlelight. But a few.
4 months ago they had been the most
willing fingers In all the county, But
tonight Mares baby Evelyn's baby !!
/ Like hive of bees. the Joy OF dis
sipatiHg the home OF Marcus Mac
Kenzie buzzed through her brain. No
sound came from the girl on the floor,
for Vveiyn Mackenzie had given up
all hope. The squatter girl was crazy.
No human being could entertain such
a CHASTITY purpose and be In his right
mlndl
Presently she called Polly's name
family, and then again; because Polly
gave her no heed, she cried louder:
/ 'rollyop, my feet hurt so 7 can't
bear ltr'
Polly paused, leaned against the
wall and glared at her.
"I'm glad they do that" she NUT
tered. "You can't hurt anywhere too
much to suit mel"
Then something gave way behind
her. and wheeling around she found
herself staring Into the face OF 1.-THE
Greatest Mother In the World"
Dadtly's ,lust-covered coat which had
hidden the picture nll the past weeks
lay at her feet,
As she looked. the glare left Polly's
eyes. The serious face that had once
SMILED at her. the smile that had been
a beuedictIon for herself and Daddy
Hopkins. was there no longer. Rather
was there an expression Of sorrow.
Death rested In the nurses arms. bur
from her whole reyerent attitude the
sense Of protection swep, out at Polly
Hopkins.
Then suddenly she heard a mans
voice. II seemed 10 drift into the hut
through every creyice Rnd crack.
.And you're the Littiest Mother In
the World" came plainly to her.
Like one struck. she stood rooted
. TO the spot. Evelyn Mackenzie over
. there against the bed faded from her
mind Old Mares imaged face went
, away as II It had never seered hel
vision. Over and over the delightful
words Robert had spoken to hei
! rushed into her ears and stamped
I themselves in golden fire on her mem
!. DRY.
I II love you, Polly touched he
like a caress, and. you're my littl,
il girl" fell upon her like the tende
z hand Of Granny Hopes God.
il 1.-THE Greatest Mother in the werld.
h whispered Pollsop; and then some
d thing hard and hateful within he
broke, and tire fiood-tides of love cam
a pouring In. As when dam burst:
the pent-up waters sweep away all III
!, accumulated rubbish in the old, vi
p used channels. so was the squatte
y girls heart cleansed of every unlovel
emotion. To her uplifted vision 9TH
lie Greatest Mother in the World smile
50 again In benediction; and beyond he
b. dim in the background. appeared
wrinkled. toothless smile, and Pol
x heard Granny Hopes withered lii
es saying:
I'd Loves the hull thing, brat. Jul
". love. an love, an keep on lovin'."
1u Full Of sne tenderest compassio
re Pollyop turned swiftly, aud at Il