Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-07-19

N AAo MAeo hdh kouc GompAelelg.
Ignoring the woman whom she de-
tested, she went rapidly to MacKen-
zls's side.
Il 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.
Il were goin' 10 chop her head or 10
get even with you. But-but-my dead
Granny Hope. an the Biggest Nam
my In All the World wouldn't let me-"
IL seemed an eternity 10 the Quak-
Ing young speaker before Marcus
threw up his head and took a long
breath.
"She-she's aliver he demanded
hOarsely. You're very sure she isn't
dead7 Girl" he bounded up and
grasped Pollyops arm, IF you lie to
me"
Il 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
set her. She's mournin' for you In
Granny Hopes coop-hole, covered up
with blankets"
Something like a huge fist struck
Mackenzie The conviction that the
squatter girls words were true lifted
him Immediately from the bottom
depths OF hopelessness. The sudden
thrush OF joyous relief brought with
II a mental illumination, and he saw
himself as others had seen him. The
terrible, blighting uncertainty he had
borne for a few maddening hours the
months. IL she were TO blame for his
suffering, what was the measure of
his own responsibility
he turned swiftly to his mother-ln-
law and said husklly:
"Call some one 10 get this child
some dry clothes. Take anything Of
Ewes you can ind that will keep her
warm, and for Gods sake. take those
ragged boots OF her feetT he sprang
to the bell. "rn order the team"
When he had given his orders TO the
servant who appeared at the door. he
sank back into a chair. and AIRS. Rob
ertson went swiftly out.
Utterly oblivious of the squatter
girls presence. Marcus Mackenzie
buried his face In his hands. The new
Pollyop, the Polly OF the Sun. crept
forward and touched him.
"Your woman's ell right" she said
huskily. Don't cryl She told me
about-about the little kid a-comin' In
the summer, an she howled like mad
10 come along with me. But says to
her she couldn't walk all this way TO
you without dyin'."
The soft tones vibrated sympathe-
tically as she voiced the assurances.
Mackenzie thrust up his hand and
clutched the slim brown fingers.
"Tell me something about IL while
we're alone" he whispered.
Pollyop shuddered.
swell, sir" she began, so low that
Mackenzie had 10 raise his head TO
hear, "all the sQuatters hate you, but
none OF 'em was wicked like me. /
said, did, that you couldn't be hurt
no way only through your woman. an
AMI was goin' 10 cut her head or
with the OK an then sling 'er In the
lake. I s'poso I'm goin' TO get sent up
for years. but Just had to come and
tell you"
Before Mackenzie, aghsst at the
danger his dear one had faced. could
answer, Mrs. Robertson entered, fol-
lowed by Evelyn's maid.
-Tn get my coat" exclaimed Mar
Gus, Jumping up. "Dress the girl warm
and send along Evelyn's fur motor
coat"
A furtiye smile curled the maids
lips as shs helped pull on Jeremlah's
heavy coat, and then grew broader
as PoIlyop slipped out OF Daddy's
great boots. Yet the woman admieed
10 herself as she dried the wet feet
and attired the sQuatter girl In her
mistress beautiful clothes that she
was pretty, even prettier than Mrs.
Mackenzie.
When the robing process was fin
ished, Mrs Robertson glanced over the
little figure and grudgingly acknowl-
edged 10 herself that there was some
thing Of elegance in the girls bearing.
even II she were a sQuatter.
sCome hereI' she said. A naughty
gesture indicated the spot fright
here before me-"
Polly's shaking legs carried her
within a few inches OF the august
presence.
you're very sure. girl" asked Mrs.
Robertson, shat my daughters safe
in your shackf How did she come
thereT
Polly remembered Larry Bishop and
Lye Braeger. She had been instru-
mental In bringing them within the
prison shadows. and II any one suffered
from the deed done that night, IL must
not be her friends. She alone must
take the blamel
IT wheedled 'er there. ma'am," she
replied humbly. "rm goin' 10 tell her
man all about H."