Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-05-17


knew something Of the tenacity with
which he ciung to any notion that
might take possession Of him. How
could she have ever submitted to bis
caressesf And the words. Until death
do US part" rang in her ears, filling
her with nauseating disgust
~ wish he were dead this minute,
she thought passionately.
She was waiting for Oscar to con
tinue, bur he evidently did not Intend
to; so. settling back as If anxious tc
start. she said coldly:
I'm go to her then. as soon as
can"
"When-today. ma'amT asked Oscar
eagerly.
If she had to approach Polly Hop
kins about this disagreeabIe matter,
the sooner the better, Evelyn thought.
"Yes." she consented languidly. u
might 60 now. suppose"
But you won't find her home till
night, Eve" Marcus informed her.
shes gone to see her father before
he goes to Auburn. tried to put the
/ quietus on that, but Bob cut up so
told the sheriff to let her In
''Then I'll telephone you later, Mr..
Bennett" said Evelyn, lifting her chin
haughtily as If he were really beneath
1 her consideration. Good afternoon y
The hours passed slowly byl 1t
seemed an eternity to Oscar while he
waited the call from Evelyn. When
he heard her voice over the telephone,
he answered grufiy.
'Now, don't be nasty, Oscar" or
dered Evelyn imperiously. 'Pm doing
the best can. I'm In booth talking,
and If you'll meet me at seven. Wen
go together to Polly Hopkins. Does
that suit you all right?"
you don't SUIT me very WELL" Oscar
grumbled into the receiver. I'D like
TO give you the licking of your life,
my lady"
Evelyn's laugh came ringing across
the wire.
"Dont put yourself out, my dear
man. she tainted. Now, don't start
bullying me over the phone, Oscar, for
won't stand It, Hold your temper IL
you can possibly do so. For once do
as I tell you'll Will you?"
"Oh, | suppose So" Bennett raped
out. "Where'll / meet your"
swell, let me see. At seven on the
boulevard, near the lane"
"All right p and Oscar slammed up
the receiver without waiting to hear
any more, and proceeded about his
farm tasks. Thoughts of anger toward
Eve. now so overbearing and con-
temptuous, were soon crowded out,
however, by anticipation of the time
when Polly would belong to him-be
his to love or abuse at his own sweet
will. for Oscar had little doubt that
the squatter girl would eventually
yield to his will.
Pollyop, meanwhile, quite uncOn-
scious of Oscars vicious intentions,
was already utterly overwhelmed with
misery.
After the meager supper was over
that night, she sat crouched near the
wood-box, her arm around Billy Hop
kins' stringy neck Granny Hope was
In bed and Wee Jerry, having cried
himself TO sleep, was in Jeremiah's
room, rolled up in blanket
For the first time In her life Polly
had seen her father weep How I'm
petu0usly she had kissed away his
tearsl How she had hung to his neck |
When they had been forced to leave
him. Jerry had shrieked his misery all
the way through the streets of Ithaca.
To make the matter worse, it began
to rain, TO thunder and tighten. And
now, a forlorn, lonely little creature,
she sat listening 20 the tempest out
side with no company but the billy
goat "a
How listless and hopeless she felt
Only when the thunder rolled over the
lake. and the lightning flashed across
the sky, did she lift her head. When
she was happy. Polly loveda the
storms. but now. with Daddy in Au-
burn, how could she bear the thrash
ing rain and the moan of the willow
trees as they swung to and fro over
the shanty roof
She found herself wishing fearfully
that the storm would sweep off to the
south and down behind the hills. Over
and over In her mind went tSe thought
that perhaps she could have helped
Daddy II she had done what Evelyn
wanted her TO. Why hadn't she con-
scented to marry Oscar two weeks agof
She knew why. and, blushing. blamed
herself. She could not keep the image
Of Robert Percival from smiling at
her. ~s----a- --s&-.4s, u Z 4 isfs
All Of a sudden a frightful fash Of
lightning made dim the flicker from
the small candle, and was followed in
stantly by a thunderous roar that
shook the very earth. Mingled with II
came woman's scream. Polly strug-
gled to her feet. Some one was in
troubled Some squatter-woman was
calling her. She dashed toward the
door just as it flung wide open, and
Evelyn Robertson rushed in.
Polly Hopkins" she cried, grasping
the squatter girls arm, "Pollyop.
something struck Oscar, and he's dead
In the road"
Frantically she drew the dazed Pol
ly over the threshold The darkness