Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-06-08
Copyright by Little, Brown & Co.


wise, Polly crawled, and after she had
completely secreted herself, she drew
down the velvet half-curtain that hung
from the seat. 1t seemed hours before
she heard a sound. She Kissed
warning to Jerry, then waited in nerv-
Gus tension.
From the station platform voices
seemed suddenly to rise up from every
quarter. Pollyop closed her eyes, too
confused to think Of anything to dis
slpate the agony Of mind she was un-
dergoing.
A few minutes before train time
higb-powered motor car drew up to
the platform.
"We,ve got the drawing-room,
Marc" explained Robert Percival,
"and while you three are shopping,
I'm going to dig around Auburn a
bit"
II suppose you're going to call on
your friend, Jeremiah" tainted Mac
Kenzie. bob, I'll give you pointer.
Drop that case! There's no power on
earth that can open the prison doors
for Hopkins"
To this Robert did not reply. In
deep reverie he helped his aunt and
cousin from the automobile and fol-
lowed them to the car.
When Polly heard a number of
people come into the stateroom, she
put one hand over her lips. She
strained her ears to hear If Jerry had
made a move. How she hoped the
dear baby had fallen asleep, and that
he would not wake up until they
were In Auburnl As unexpected as
the voice Of one long dead, the sound
of familiar tones came to her ears.
The words were:
'Now, Mrs. Robertson, you sit there,
and you too. Eve. Then you won't
have to ride backward. Bob and I'll
sit here"
The squatter girls heart. nearly
Jumped out Of her mouth. There, with
in touching distance, was her power
full enemy. Her flesh tingled as II
bees had stung her. Robert Perclval,
and Evelyn too, were there. Pollyop
shivered and wished that she had
waited until tomorrow, or perhaps the
day after.
She tried to drive out the fear Of
being discovered and think only OF
Jerry's happiness and Daddy's. To
make her heart beat less fast, she
tried earnestly to think Of some words
that Jesus would hear and under
stand. But even that desire was
driven from her az two heavy bodies
dropped upon the seat above her.
Plainly she saw two pairs Of mems
boots nesr enough to touch her II she
moved "a inch forward.
Back against the side Of the car she
pushed her head, noiselessly drawing
her thick curls over her shoulder to
make more room. How intensely she
wished they were in AuburnI If the
train would only start ahead. she was
sure she would lose the insane desire
to open her mouth and scream.
Then a whistle from the engine, and
as IL the man at the throttle had heard
the inward cry Of her frightened
young soul, the train began to move
slowly. AS 1t crossed the northern
end Of the town, one Of the owners
Of the boots near her face grew ex-
ceedingly restless. and Of a sudden he
pushed his foot directly against her
nose. Gently she showed 1t away and
low exclamation from above fol-
lowed instantly.
Then a strong, large hand lifted the
velvet hangings; and before Pollyop
could stir, set of fingers took sharp
hold Of her face. In her frightened
state she threw the hand of; and an
other ejaculation came to her ears.
Then two hands came under and
CROPPED for q grip. She fought strenu-
ously to hold her place; but the per
SON pulled her out BY main force.
Polly Hopkins was almost faintlng
when Robert Perclval placed her on
her feet. The silk dress, partly
tucked in Daddy's boots and partly
out, was covered with dust. In silent
embarrassment she stopped and
brushed 1t. Then she glanced up Inn
plOringly.
Robert, wax-white. was staring at
her as II he could not believe his eyes ;
and Mackenzie, carried away by the
rage within him, vIclously clutched at
her arm. PolIyop dragged herself
away frow the strong fingers.
''Don't touch me, you" she snapped
hoarseIy at him. ''I'm goIn' to Auburn
to see my Daddy Hopkins"
Her voice was high-pitched and
tensely toned. Her gaze sought one
after another until 1t rested on Eve
Ign Robertson, huddIed back in the
corner Of the seat.
'You can make him leave me be.
ma'am, Polly went on. u got right
to 90 to Auburn as wells any ONE
else"
An uufeeIIng laugh left MacKenzie's
lips; and a sharp exclamation fell
from PercivaI.
.'You're thief" Marcus thrust in
grizzly. "A little thief. You're steal
ing a ride"
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