Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-08-17

az"
Polly looked DULY at the paper. the
words running into black smudgy
lines. Then she could not 60 to Daddy
Hopkins after all; and Jerry might
die. Old Marc had once more laid his
powerful hand upon her. Overcome
with grief, she wept a while. Then
she took the dress from under the
pillow. rolled 1t carefully in a clean
cloth and put II away.
The shock Of Eyelyn's cold note
brought back the shadows to Pollyop's
brown eyes. As the days passed slow
ly by, and the rich girl did not come
to the shack again, Polly lost all hope
Of seeing her father.
Her decision to go to Auburn In spite
Of Old Marc followed a letter that she
received from Daddy Hopkins. He
was very lonely, he said. He was
counting Off each day as so many hours
nearer the time when he could see his
dear children. With the picture of
Daddy's loneliness stamped in misery
on her mind came the thought that no
one had the right to keep Jerry from
his father.
From the time she conceived this
idea, it left her thoughts. She
had often stolen rides on the Lehigh
Valley train from Ithaca 90 the Silent
City and dropped of where the engine
took a switch while the Buffalo Spe-
cial dashed by. Why could she not
steal a ride clear to Auburn?
While the squatter girl was making
arrangements to carry out this
mighty plan, preparations for the
Observation-Disclosures wedding were
going rapidly forward. Evelyn, happy
In her new love, untrOubled by SYM
pathy for the dead Oscar, passed the
days mostly at dressmakers and In
the shops. Her contentment would
have been complete If her cousin Rob-
ert had not looked so sad, or II she
could have rid herself Of the sense of
responsibility for his unhappiness.
But hoping In her fiippant way that
all would come out w~elfyafter she was
married. she gave little heed to him
and none at all to Polly Hopkins.
Early one &rfOrning Polly hoped
quickly out Of bed and after a break
fast Of bread and beans, began to dress
Jerry In the best he had. The day
was chilly, and a fine rain drizzled
ave the lake.
Pollyop wrapped Granny Hopes
old shawl around the little boy and
tied a warm rag about his head; and
the child, satisfied with his sisters
assurance that he was going to zee
his father, sat on the cot wide-eyed,
watching her in silence. n
Polly combed her hair and washed
her face and hands. Billy-goat Hop
kins was In his place at the wood-box
eating a handful Of oats she had
Cleaned for him along the roadside.
Polly wished that she might take him,
too, but as long as she could not, Billy
should have a better feed than usual.
After everything else was attended
to, she u%nwrapped the silken dress
and put it on. Her bare feet showed
from under the hem, but she had de-
cided she looked better without the
boots, and as she stood gazing at her
self up and down, she regretted that
she had not asked Evelyn for a pair Of
shoes too. Being careful not to soil
her skirt, she knelt and allowed Jerry
to climb ON her shoulders.
The moment she stood outside the,
shanty in the rain, she shiyered. The
damp air nipped at her uncovered
arms and neck. To travel the long dis
lance to the station. so lily covered.
out of the question, and the gown
would be drenched through In a few
minutes. She turned back into the
shack and placed Jerry on the cot.
"Jerry wants TO see Daddy Hop
the child whinnpered. "Ain't we
goin'. Pollyop7"
"Yep. surel" said Polly. "But sis
ter's got to put on her boots. She
can't 90 this way. It's too cold and
the walk to Ithaea's too long, honey"
Her brow puckered into a frown as
she drew on her fathers heavy boots
and slipped into his ragged coat. Then
she tucked the dress into the top Of
the boots that It might show as little
as possible and went out again.
1t "a q long climb to the boule-
ward; and the boy was heavy. But he
was very quiet and a sudden rush Of
tears almost blinded her as she turned
toward the city. How delighted both
Terry and Daddy would be when they
spied each otheri Guiping down her
tears. she shut out the thought that
perhaps some one would catch her
breaking the law and clap her in Jail
too.
Granny Hope and her toothless
smile dashed before the eyes OF her
tortured soul.
"Ask and 1t shall be given thee"
seemed to leap from the vision of old
age.
." did ask" Pollyop cried aloud.
'but Old Marc said I couldn't
In the past months which had taken
away three Of her loves. many Of the
lessons Mrs. Hope had taught her had
been effaced. She had even given up
the habit Of asserting with utmost
faith: Underneath are the everlast-
ing arms"
She was almost overcome with ter
ror and fatigue q d she neared the sta
ttOn.. One thing seemed TO clear her
brow Of wrinkles and tighten the load
she was carrying. Not a soul wal IN
sight. Even the station appeared to
he deserted.
At the northern end Of the Auburn
10 80 - -