The Lamar register., 1922-04-05

world. Pollyop took him up and seat
ed herself, hushing and caresslng him.
'The lIttlest mother in the world"
breathed Robert tenderly, bending
over her. And brave girl you are,
too, Polly Hopkins"
II can't be brave ever any more, l
can't. I need my daddy SO. do. Pm
thinkin' my heart just busted when
they took him away"
He understood, and Roberts very
soul melted in sympathy. Indeed, never
had he worked so hard on any one
thing as he had done to defend the
squatter 1t had been only after Mac
KenZie had outwitted him that he had
come to the Silent City to break the
bad news to Polly Hopkins.
"POllyOp," he began, much moved,
you do need your father; every girl
does. But while he's gone. If he really
has to go. l can make living without
him much easier for you. You must
take some of the money you have for
YOURSELF" he hastened on. "No one
needs 1t more than you do. No. now
don't shake your head. dear. Some
one must help you-don't you see?"
"'Twas awful good of you to give
me the money, an let me help the
squatter women" came distinctly from
the sobbing lips, "but Jerry an me
couldn't take cent of yours I"
Somehow Robert had expected this,
but her refusal did not make him any
the less determined to help her. For
q time he was silent. as Polly slowly
rocked Jerry back and forth.
After few moments the boy fell
asleep. and his sister laid him quietly
on the bed again.
"Now what be l goin' to do? she
queried forlornly, looking straight at
him. Granny Hope says loves all
powerful. an every night I cry out t"
the good God to bring my daddy home.
It's true, amt 1t, Jesus can help
squatter girlT
"Of course" Robert assured her.
"Of course, and oh. Polly, want you
to be different"
"What do you mean by bein' differ
entf" she stopped him quickly, and
then she caught the look he cast
around the ROOM
'I'll always be a squatter," she went
on fiercely. II love squatters. I do"
His face burned at the emphasis on
her words, yet he liked her better for
standing by her humble friends.
"And you love me too. don't you.
Poilyop7" he asked. reaching out anc
taking one of her hands
Didn't she love himl All. more thar
she even dared to admit to herself! A
blush mounted to her curis.
yep. I'm lovin' you, too," she
breathed. "You an daddy
Robert stood up dizzily. bringing her
up with him. What was there In this
crude squatter lassie that made his
heart beat so7
Polly" he murmured. drawing her
to him. Little Polly" and then he
raised her face to his-"Kiss me,
sweet"
Limp and trembling. she leaned
against him us she had that day in his
own home. She was so tired and
lonely.
II want you always, Polly" he
whispered in her ear. "Some day I
want you for my wife. I'll take you
away from Ithaca-aIl of you. your
father and the baby-and Granny
Hope too. You hear. don't you.
Pollyopf"
At that Polly clung to him. She had
lost sight of the fact that she might
have to marry Oscar Bennett to free
Daddy Hopkins, and to keep her peo-
pie in the Silent City. She only real
lied that she was In Roberts arms,
and TINT he was telling her over and
over and over that he adored her.
Hadn't you best go nowT she
asked. "Some one might catch you
here MOI Please. please don't kiss
me no more"
Without the slightest regard for her
protestations, Robert, smiling, gath
cred her completely into his arms.
Perhaps" he stammered, perhaps,
sweetheart, your father'll come back
in spite of Marcus Mackenzie. Good
by, dear"
She followed him to the door and
watched him go up the lane. Then she
crept back Into the shanty.
Daddy" she cried, I'm tryin' my
best to save you. dear. an. an l will