The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-04-07

4
get rid of them. he'll leave Ithaca"
A step In the hall closed the con-
versation for the time being, and
moment later Robert Percival Joined
them. In silence Mrs. Robertson
studied his face. She wondered what
had changed him 80 perceptibly in the
last little while. He looked almost
haggard to her searching eyes. She
was about TO question him as TO his
health when the young man turned TO
Evelyn.
"Eye, DEAR" he began hesitatingly,
Il want something done very badly.
and perhaps you can accomplish 1t
for me-"
A lazy smile stole TO Evelyn's lips.
"And you know, Bob. I'll do II
IL | can" she responded. Tell me
what's on your mind. honey"
Certainly; why, yes. indeed" inter-
tected Mrs. Robertson. .sYou know,
Bob, Eve and viii do anything we
can for your
The expression of anxiety, which his
face had worn since he had seen the
iSasSt Va 4 ViAy S1UphlHS, IllSQ lItLkEs
That's flnel" he exclaimed heartily.
There's nothing like fellows own
women folks, Is there7 And you're
just as good to me as II / belonged to
you"
Mrs. Robertson bridled consciously,
pleased with her nephew and pleased
| with herself.
4 ct,
| 'you do belong to us. God bless you,
boy, you're my baby and Ewes little
brother. Now tell us what's bothering
you"
TITS Mares row with the squatters!
| / can't get the poor devils out of my
mind. Eve, can't you get him to leave
the settlement people alonef I'd let
them have some of my land, but 1t
doesn't touch the lake, and they
couldn't make living on IT."
Evelyn arose and crossed the room
to the table. She had not expected
this. Her promise to Mackenzie
flashed into her mindi
II don't like interfering with Mares
business, Bob" she demuYred. 'tBe-
4
erty down there, and he can't while
| the fishermen stay on the shoref"
| Gently, for Robert had always been
like younger brother to her, and she
loved him dearly, Evelyn explained
MacKenzie's plans and showed how
impossible It was for her, under the
circumstances, to interfere with them.
4 oh a 20 Ga ct n h1,-
over HIM.
| Robert, dear" abe begged. Forget
about the squatters. They aren't any
thing special to your To head of an
objection that she saw In his eyes, she
hurried on: They're poor and unfor-
| tunate, I know. I'm sorry fer them.
We all are; but you can't deny they're
worthless and filthy, and worst of all.
they haven't any right to. be where
they are. You won't let them come be-
tween you and Marc and me, win
| your"
Without giving the man chance to
answer, Mrs. Robertson interrupted:
'Mercy. Eve. why of course he
won'tl Marc will soon be one Of the
| family. People OF our social standing
don't wrangie over such cattle as the
squatters." She turned smilingiy to
the young man and ended sweetly:
''You feel that way, don't you, BobT'
Disregarding both the lady and her
| question. Robert got up, his lips grim
and his fine brow corrugated with
lines. Evelyn and Marcus could do as
they pleased; he would take his stand
right there.
Evelyn" he said slowly, "I should
be sorry to have anything come be-
tween us. You've always been like a
dear sister to me. suppose it's nat
ural and right for you to see this the
way Marc does. You're engaged to
him, but you can tell him for me I'm
going to help the ssuatters any way
and every way can"
Too angry to listen to any more ar
guments, he pushed his chair to one
side and left the room.
Mrs. Robertson looked daggers at
her daughter and as soon as she could
get her breath, broke out:
NOW, Evelyn. see what storm
you've stirred upi Why didn't you use
little diplomacy That was the least
you could have done. You get Marc
and Bob by the ears, and where1l you
bel"
"0hl don't knowI I don't know Z"
moaned Evelyn. 'Don't talk to me
any more. I'm just about crazy. I'm
going TO bedi Good nightin
CHAPTER tx.