Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-09-28
Mrs. Robertson raised 0 n her e.

'there's been something on my mind
ever since-since- oh, you don't
think the squatters have her. do your"
81 don't know" moaned Marcus, and
he sat down quickly as If his legs
would no longer bear the weight Of
his body.
And they were sitting thus, each
busy with his own ~unspeakable unhap-
piness, when the servant entered.
There's a girl here, sir" she be-
gan, and Marcus sprang up.
"Bring her in," he cried. Bring her
IN Instantly"
The maid hesitated.
"She's queer looking, sir" she said
timidly, "and she's wet through. She's
one of them squatters."
Bring her in, / said" ordered Mar
Gus once more, and the girl went out,
closing the door softly.
Pollyop crept into the warm room,
her teeth chattering, her legs un-
steady. Her first glance fell upon
AIRS. Robertson who, when she saw
her, made q husky throat sound. Then
the brown, fearful eyes travelled to
the tall man, no longer an enemy to be
hated, merely q wounded human crea-
ture, like her dear q In the Silent
City, to be loved and comforted.
a" got your woman In my shack"
said Pollyop. straight to him, swallow
ing.
"God be thanked" screamed Mrs.
Robertson.
Something snapped in MacKenzie's
head, and for a moment he feared he
was losing his mind Polly thought
by the blank expression Of his face
that his wits had gone completely.
Ignoring the woman whom she de-
tested, she went rapidly to MacKen-
zIe's side.
II had her roped up in the bed when
you was there tonight, mister" she
told him, the words tumbling over
each other In the haste of confession.
81 were goin' to chop her head off to
get even with you. But-but-my dead
Granny Hope, an the Biggest Man,
my in ALI the World wouldn't let me-"
1t seemed an eternity to the quak-
Ing young speaker before Marcus
threw up his head and took a long
breath.
"She-she's aliveT" he demanded
hoarsely. You're very sure she isn't
deadf Girl" he bounded up and
grasped Pollyop's arm, eff you lie to
me-.
81 amt lynn to you, mister" inter-
rupted Polly DULY. "You don't need
to be scared for Miss Eve, but now
you'd best come along to my hut an
get her. She's m%ournin' for you In
Granny Hopes coop-hole, covered up
with blankets"
Something like q huge fist struck
Mackenzie. The conviction that the
aQuatter girls words we're true lifted
him Immediately from the bottom
depths Of hopelessness. The sudden
thrush of joyous relief brought with
q a mental illumination, and he saw
himself as others had seen him. The
terrible, blighting uncertainty he had
borne for q few m%addening hours the
girl before him had known = fol-
months. If she were to blame for his
suffering, what was the measure OF
his own responsibility
He turned swiftly to his mother-in
law and said huskily:
"Call some one to get this chilt
some dry clothes. Take anything o.
Ewes you can find that will keep he
warm, and for Gods sake, take thosI
ragged boots off her feetp he sprani
to the bell. "Tn order the team"
When he had given his orders to tn
servant who appeared at the door, h
sank back into a chair, and Mrs. Rob
ertson went swiftly out.
Utterly oblivious Of the squatte
girls presence. Marcus MacKenzi
buried his face in his hands. The ney
Pollyop. the Polly of the Sun, crep
forward and touched him.
"Your woman's all right" she sal
huskily. Don't cry! She told m
about-about the little kid a-comin' 1
the summer, an she howled like ma
10 come along with me. But I says t
her she couldn't walk all this way I
you without dyin'."
The soft tones vibrated sympath,
ttcally as she voiced the assurance
Mackenzie thrust up his hand an
clutched the slim brown fingers.
ttTell me something about II Will
we're alone" he whispered.
Pollyop shuddered.
'ssNell, sir" she began, 80 low thi
Mackenzie had to raise his head
hear, "all the squatters hate you, bl
none of 'em was wicked like me:~
said, / did, that you couldn't be hu
no way only through your woman, a
anil was goIn' to cut her head Z
with the ak an then sling 'er In Il
lake. I s'pose I'm goin' to get sent !
for years, but ! Just had to come al
tell you"
Before Mackenzie, aghast at t
danger his dear one had faced, cou
answer, Mrs. Robertson entered, 4
lowed by Evelyn's maid.
aIl get my coat" exclaimed nj
Gus, jumping up. 'Dress the girl wal
and send along Evelyn's fur mot
coat"
a furtive smile curied the mai
lips as she helped pull Off Jeremia
heavy coat, and then grew broa,
as Poiiyop slipped out Of Dadd
great boots. Yet the woman admit
70 herself 4 she dried the wet 4
and attired the squatter girl In ]
mistress beautiful clothes that
was pretty. even prsttier than N
Mackenzie.