American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-04-21


Gus. "I1l get the book first"
Very white, Robert walked before
Mackenzie to the bookcase. Then
with n sweep of his arm he moved
aside the curtain and with it-Polly
Hopkins. He could feel beneath the
thick material the slender, quivering
body. And there, as the two men
stood facing the shelves laden with
the masterpieces of the world, and
Marcus was running his eye up and
down, Robert felt that first wonder
tul protective love that comes to a
man when he is shielding d
Evelyn said it was here" observed
Mackenzie carelessly. LET me look
A-B-C-Here's D. 1t ought to be
on this shelf"
He read aloud the names of the
books under his eye while still the
strong hand of his companion held up
the curtain and the girl.
"Ah, here it is" came in exclama-
ton. There! Thanks, Bob! Now
I'll sit down a minute"
AS NdlhSu DdCk 10 the LdDle, anu
Percival carefully dropped the drap-
cries. Keeping his eye on the other
mans back, he ran his fingers Over
the curtain until he came to the curly
head of Polly Hopkins. Two tender
pats fell upon it. Then he, too, crossed
to the center of the room.
You're a hospitable chap, Bob"
laughed Marcus. "Heigh-ho! but to-
day I've been some busy. I'll bet you
a quarter of a dollar it won't be three
months before / get every squatter of
that shore. The fact of 1t is, I've only
got to catch Hopkins, and the restTl
be easy. He's a bad actor; and that
girl Of his is a saucy baggage"
shes a very good girl" Robert in
terposed in deep tones, 'and very pref
ty, too"
The bookcase draperies moved ever
80 little. Polly Hopkins almost burst
with joy when she heard those words.
Pretty enough, 1 suppose" Marcus
conceded, but not good. She's like
the rest-bad clean through"
The curtains moved a little more;
and Robert caught the sway of them
out of the tail of his eye. He felt that
If Mackenzie did not go soon, he would
throw him out. What the girl would
do If Marc started a TRADE against her
father, Robert did not dare contem-
plate,
Look here, Mare" he burst forth,
"you're all wrong about those people,
all dead wrong. They don't harm any
one, as l can see. Why can't you live
and let liveT"
His eyes flashing, Marcus stood up.
mo harm, no harm, you say" he
f1ared. why, they steal everything in
sight, and in a few more years there
won't be a fish left In the lake. There
won't be anything to catch in season
or out, If the squatters keep up theiI
Internal poaching. Hunting and fish
ing are for gentlemen, my dear Bob
Don't forget thatr
Gentlemen be id" calculate,
Robert, and then the curtains swaye,
so that he got to his feet and starte
toward the door.
"Marc," he continued, perhaps W
can't agree on this matter at all, blu
l really do want a heart-to-heart tall
with you about it. But not now! TIL,
fact is / was busy when you cam,
in"
thinking up a few more pleas TO
the squatters, eh?" the other ma
leased. WELL, old fellow, just remem
Der this. I've got at least twenty-fv
men watching everything that scam.
Of a Hopkins does, and when l ge
something on him, there won't be TWEEN
ty-four hours between that time an,
his arrest"
Robert almost showed the speake
out Of the door; but Marcus Onl,
chuckled ~good-naturedly as he wen
away. When Robert turned the Ike.
in the lock, he stood quite still, breath
ing hard.
From behind the curtain, Poll
thrust out her head, her small fac
wrinkled and tears standing thick il
her eyes.
I'm a-goin' after that pup IN swa
him." she Kissed stOrmily. HE lie
when he says my daddy's a scamp"
Percival lifted a precautionary hant
"Not too loud" he warned. "Com
here" She went slowly forward, he
head hanging; but when he held ou
his hands she snatched them and ben
her curly head over the strong finger
! and kissed them ~passiOnately.
"Poor little girl, poor little Polly,
murmured Robert, brokenly. Then a
she swayed toward him, his arms wen
around her, and for a moment h
pressed her head against his breast.
"Polly, PoIlyop," he whispered, kiss
ing her hair. "Oh, God, if I owned tha
lake property ibid"
A certain deep tone in his voic
brought up PollyOp's head, and sh
saw in his eyes an expression this
made her struggle from his arm
Fleeing to the porch window, she wa
gone before Robert could stop her.