The Lamar register., 1922-02-22

Oscar showed any signs or unusual
wrath.
"She said you wasn't to write her
any more letters" she replied. "She's
awful scared. She trembled all over
when she told me-"
"What did she say about money!
Bennett demanded gruffiy.
Through the dim light Of the Ian
tern, Polly looked at him pleadingly.
"She Just can't get another cent"
she returned. "sn' shes feelin' terrible
bad about It"
Although he had not finished his
task, Bennett jumped up from his
stool, and one step took him very close
to the nervous young speaker.
"She can't, ehT" he cried. "9he
means she won't. guess. BY God, she
will, or I'll come out with the whole
thing. You go and tell her so. She's
got rich folks. and didn't marry her
to keep quiet all my life. Tell her
either she comes home here to me,
or she pays up. II she pays" he
paused, then laughed. "Oh. you need
MT look As II was goin' to swat you
one, Pollyop." he went on, "but ~ l
was sayin', II she pays up and get
rid Of her. then-me for you. Polly
Hopkins"
His voice was harsh, and his man
ners rough. Polly retreated to the
threshold.
1.-THE times here" Oscar went on
"when both you women will be leap
Ing to my CAD. There! Get home and
say to my lady Just what I said"
again he broke of, only to continue
"leaving out the part about you. See.
Pollyopr
Dumb with dread. Polly saGgsd
weakly against the door casing. No
wonder Evelyn Robertson didn't want
to live with such a man.
"And you can tell her to come to-
night at nine o'clock. to Granny Hopes
old shack" he proceeded. II want to
talk to her. Now get along and don't
come around after any more milk, or
I'll throw you out Of the barn"
Glad to be gone. Polly passed out tc
the lane. In a little ravine at her left
a noisy stream rumbled down the hill
With wistful eyes she watched II
through the fast gathering dusk now
away to the lake. II was then she saw
something moving about In q small
pool of water In q rock basin. Care
fully she put the milk and eggs on .
bit Of smooth turf. Down the bank
she slipped. and there in the falling
gloom. struggling in the water. was q
baby lamb. Poliyop tucked her skirts
up about her waist and wadsd into the
water. Several times she fell. and
dripping wet, scrambled up again.
When she pulled the lamb to the bank,
she dropped to the ground. gaspins
for breath.
"Poor little duffer," she murmured
"You was most gone. wasn't you1
Come on home with Pollyop an get
loved up q biti"
In the road she picked up the pail.
slipped the eggs into the milk and
went swiftly down the lane. the lamb
under one arm. Polly's heart sang
with gIadness. out of the rigors Of
the Storm country. out Of the cold
ravne water. she had found another
little thing to care for.
Jeremiah Hopkins and Larry Bishop
were In the shack when Polly arrived
with her burdens. With much pride
she displayed the lamb: then she fed
him portion Of the milk with Q spoon
While she was preparing the evening
meal. she invited her fathers friend to
take potluck with them.
After supper she settled her family.
Wee Jerry she tucked into Daddy's
bed. and Granny Hope was made com
Portable In a chair by the stove. where
she soon nodded OF to sleep. Then.
the lamb In her lap and the billy goat
at her knee. Pollyop sat down on the
edge Of her cot. facing the two men.
She knew by the dark expressions on
their sHces that a question Of import
had come up.
ME an Larry. brat. have been try
In to think Of some way Of gettin' rid
Of Old Marc" began Hopkins grimly.
Nervous brown fingers plucked at
the lambs wool as Polly. going white.
stared at her father.
You don't mean hurtin' him. Daddy
dear. do youf" she broke out. "Oh. II
that's what you're talkin' about. don't