Middletown transcript., 1922-04-22

passlOnately, lifting her face and lay
ing his warm lips on hers.
With swift-coming breaths she flung
both arms around his neck.
It'll trust you every day an all
day." She hesitated and turned her
head. A sound in the hut had fright
ened her. She knew Robert had heard
1t, too, for he reached out his hand to
open the door.
We'll go in," said he, taking her
arm and gathering both of her hands
into his.
By sudden movement, Polly
pushed him backward.
I'D rather you'd make off," she told
him, unsteadily. "Mebbe 1 can find a
squatter."
mo, my dear" returned Robert.
when you need help, and I'm here,
you can't call any one else"
While he was speaking, he had dis
engaged his hands and had lifted the
latch.
Trembling from head to foot. Polly
op followed him into the hut.
When Robert caught sight of his
pale cousin, he stopped short.
You're not i'll, Eve, dear?" he cried.
going to her quickly. Polly said some
one was sick here"
He glanced around the shanty. A
thlob of happiness made his pulses
beat faster. 1.-THE Greatest Mother in
the World" still held her place ON the
wall. While he was contemplating the
| Wnn1nr of thn tot, I,t
went back to the day he had given it
to his Littlest Mother in the World.
Billy-goat Hopkins mousing in the
wood-boX brought his thoughts back,
but not soon enough to catch the
meaning glance that Evelyn shot at
the squatter girl, who was gazing
steadily at her. With fling of con-
tempt Miss Robertson walked to him
and laid her hand on his arm.
mo, I'm not the least sick, Bob, but
but just now" she heSitated, then
continued hurriedly: "There's little
boy here; and 1 often bring him food
and candy. When l got here" she
whirled around and flung her hand
toward the cot, this man was so ter
ribly sick that told Polly Hopkins
she ought to get a doctor. Naturally,
consented to stay until some one else
came, but never expected-you!
The explanation brought q groan
from Pollyop.
Slowly Robert drew his gnze from
Oscars pallid countenance and turned
to her. He looked so shocked and
hurt that she impulsively moved to-
ward him.
How'd he come here?" Robert ex.
claimed, going to the bedside. "Why
it's Bennett! What's he doing here?"
So passionate were his tones, so full
of that demanding quality that Evelyn,
fearing Pollyop would tell the truth,
again caught hold of him.
Hes In love with Polly Hopkins,
Bob" she offered, trying to speak
calmly, 'and really it's none of our
business. Is 1t? But l do think he
ought to have a DOCTOR"
Robert staggered back, flashing a
glance at the squatter girl which
seemed to burn her through and
through.
"Are you married to him?" he de-
mnnded of her.
Her pale lips framed the single
word, NO"
''Then how In Gods name came he
here in your"
Two strides brought him so close
that Polly felt his hot breath against
her cold face. She cried out in an
guish and started to speak; but Eve
lyn broke In upon her In frantic haste.
"NOw listen to me, Bob" she insist
ed. you are very unkind! What's
happened here Is none of your busl-
ness nor mine! Every sQuatter wom-
an has n man, and you can't expect
Polly Hopkins to be an exception. All
you can do is to get DOCTOR"
Robert passed his hand over his
face. He looked dazedly from Pollyop,
so silent and pale, to the man so hor-
ribly still OH the cot.
"All right" he replied gruffly.
"Come on! This is no place" He
flung a glance at Polly Hopkins that
struck her like blow from q whip.
and finished, mo place for a decent
girl"
Stupefied by the flood of disasters
that had overwhelmed her, Polly
watched Robert Percival lead his cou-
sin from the hut. After the first wild
impulse to tell him the truth, she had
made no further effort to clear herself.
Evelyn Robertson was going to hold
her to the word she had made two
years ago! Being innately honest her.
self, Pollyop could see no way to
tighten her own detection or to still
HaxGaSSn.aSassiiasS aSSSa 80 as;aS.S.