The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-03-31
CHAPTER VIII.

Then came the days through which
the inhabitants OF the Silent City lived
with nothing to comfort them but
Polly Hopkins. Scarcely an hour
passed without strangers walking over
the rough road through the settlement
and every one knew that these men. so
curious and yet so unwilling to speak
even a "gcod-day," we're doing service
for Marcus Mackenzie.
At last one day, crushed with mp
prehenson and despair, jeremiah
Hopkins decided that one of them
should go to Robert Perclval to ask
his aid In keeping the settlement to-
gether. Polly was so sure he would
keep his word to her-now they would
give him the chance.
Its choice OF the three OF you,
Poll" said Lye Braeger, you or your
daddy or Larry Bishop"
"He wouldn't listen to me. lassie."
Hopkins mourned. "Afebbe he would
to you. dunno. but mebbe."
Before the girls sensitive mind
flashed the face Of Robert, and she hid
her red cheeks against the speakers
knee.
"Oh. | couldn't never go to i'm,
Daddy honey" she murmured. PLEASE,
Daddy"
1--WE amt got a chance without
some ones help. Poll" insisted Brae-
ger. "You go along an do your d-dest
for the squatters -
"All right, Lye." she managed to say.
"Ill go after Jerry's In bed, an the !
supper's over"
SO Ii came to pass that nightfall |
found Polly Hopkins struggling up the
Hill to the railroad tracks. She turned |
south on the boulevard and stole eau
tiously along the edge OF the road.
She had no desire to meet Old Marc
or Evelyn. AS she went on she muir
INJURED to herself some OF the love
words Granny Hope had planted In
her memory. and when she turned into
ertson home, she held her head little
higher and walked with less nervous
ness.
Around and around the house she
,rept, until with trepdation she
mounted the steps leading to the front
porch and tiptoed to a long French
window. 1t was partly open and there.
Gated before table, was the man she
ought.
Polly knocked once. but the sound
yas so faint Robert did not hear II.
Hist" came from between Polly's
ps, and the young man glanced up.
t the sight Of her he got to his feet
owly. Then Polly showed the win
ow open a crack and squeezed into
lie room.
A strange mixture of conflicting ex-
ressions swept over his face, but
easure at the sight of her predomi- {
ited them all.
"Pollyop" he exclaimed. "Polly
opkins, what's the matter?" 70
"Old Mares go.n' to turn us all out,
ister," she whispered huskily. search
g his face. IAN Daddy sent me to W.
k you to help u.s." or
Robert drew one hand across his In
ow helplessly. I'M
"Pve said everything | could to Dc
axe him understand the crime of II
!" he apologized. Hes like crazy Re
I'M l can't see how he can think Of SO
oh thing. even though your peo- toy
, were willing to go. Polly"
We Amt; we can't 60" she replied, cal
lvering. There amt place in the | !
rid for squatters but the Silent wi
~" fnt
4 know IT." he returned gloomily. In
And can't Love do nothin' for us7"
plored the girl. Granny Hope says the
can, an once IL heard you say tea
as the-the-" beI
lust at that moment the sound OF me
'tsteps was heard outside In the ball. OF
bert thrust out his hand. grasped son
lily by the shoulders. and In another ty-i
ment she found herself behind the his
OK curtain hanging in heavy folds 4
sr rows Of books which rose to the out
ling. chu
The door opened; and Percival spun awi
'und to meet Marcus Mackenzie In |
crushed down his embarrassment ing
offered his visitor a chair. +
Evelyn sent me for a book" Mar thru
explained. Pardon me for dis wril
bling you. old chap" her
Sit down. robert requested with q
effort. him
Iarcus shook his head. whe
I can't" he replied. "Eve and P'
confabing over something. / told ~
I'd get book and come right here
<" heat
e made q movement TO walk to- hts
d the book shelves; but Robert her
pea him. and