Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-07-05

hCiE Sttti FAbVNC AbS 0SbF wa Ntto
Printed Sign, az Your Hearts Low
ing and Kind Come Right IN; II II
Amt scoot Off"
kins. Vain had been his efforts to
tear her image from his heart. Often
he had been tempted to marry her
and take her out of her dreadful cir
cumstances. but each time the desire
came to him, the vision of the dying
farmer killed It.
Broodingly his eyes swept the mar
row lake and the eastern, rearing hills
He remembered how he and Polly
Hopkins had sat together ON the rag
ged rocks watching the clouds sweep
over the sky above, like flocks of birds
across wonder-blue water.
With a groan he threw off these
memories, and striding forward, he
raped on the hut door,
Polly Hopkins opened ii. looked at
him. bent her head but spoke no word
81 want to talk to you. child" was
the excuse he gave: and still silent,
she moved backward and allowed him
to enter the room.
Now that he was there, Robert felt
as If he could not force his tongue to
say the things she must hear He was
oppressed by his utter failure to keep
the promise made that day before
1.-The Greatest Mother in the World"
and knew not how to explain It,
Polly" he had commenced, when
Pollyop. because she was so tired, so
forlornly helpless, began to sob bit
terly. The sight of him after all these
weary days quite oyercame her.
Don't" he interiected iinpetuously.
please don't do that"
Her tears only added to the remorse
that scourged him and gave new vital
lty 20 his passion; but. like a wall OF
fire between them, burned his jealousy
of Oscar Bennett.
Il want to help you" he stammered.
Pollyop shook her head.
'You can't do nothin' unless you get
my daddy back" she whispered.
"Jerry1l die"
This gave slight opening, and Rob
ert grasped at II eagerly.
81 came to talk about him." he In
terrupted. "Now please don't cry any
more Don't! Sit down a minute"
He placed her In chair, going white
as his hand touched her. you say the
child is i'll, Pollyop7' he went on, but
paused as Polly nodded her head.
"Yep, he's sick all right" she re-
turned. wiplng her eyes
"Then perhaps u he went away
somewhere, to place where he'd
have good food and care until his ia
.ther--"
At his words the girl suddenly grew
rigIdly erect, but the piteous trembling
Of her lips made the young man avert
his eyes.
"Squatter babies grow on the grub
squatters give EN-" she replied huski-
~. "All they need is bread an beans
an love-" she hesitated and swallowed
hard before she continued: "An' lots
of lovel That's what's aiIin' Wee
It ndulb HIS ududy
But, Pollyp' Robert tried to check
the flow of her words, but she ran on /:
He'd die sure In a strange place.
Nope Jerry stays in the shanty with
me-"
There was such an air Of finality In
her infection and appearance that
Percival groaned within himself and
nervousiy paced the length Of the
room and back. He simply could not
tell her. How could he place another
burden upon the already bowed young
shouldersi
Then the matter was taken out Of
his hands. The roll Of carriage wheels,
an unusual sound In the settlement,
came distinctly TO their ears and
caused the girl to throw him .
startled. questioning glance. Before
he could give her the least warning,
the door flung open, and Mackenzie.
followed by three men, came into the
shanty.
Marcus had not expected to ind bis
wffe's cousin there after the scene ef
that morning. A sneer tugged al the
corners Of his mouth. Then, remsEn-
bering that he represented the county,
q slow smile curled his lips