The Lamar register., 1922-03-22

got to get shut of Oscar / don't blame
you for wantin' to. but how be you
goin' to work 1t, Miss Eve? can't
see no help for the squatters If your
marryin' Old Mares part OF It,"
That's what I'm trying to tell you
Polly" was the quick retort, but
I'll help you and your people. Oscar
says he'll free me if-if-you1l marry
him."
For an instant Polly's head whirled
as II It had been suddenly struck and
over her came a weight almost unbear.
able. Then slowly she shook her curly
head.
81 couldn't do that. ma'am," she
choked. 81 just couldn't"
But you said you would" retorted
Evelyn sharply. you must. can
save the squatters. and l will; but
only on condition that you help me get
rid Of Oscar Bennett. Mr.. Mackenzie
is going to buy the Bennett farm,
and"
"An' Oscar'll be goin' away some.
where's else?' put In Polly. as that
1t? He'd take me away from Daddy
Hopkins an from"
She caught herself Just In time. She
had It on the tip of her tongue to add
the name of Robert Perclval, but OF
course she did not.
81 couldn't ever do that" she ended.
"Never. neveri"
The blue eyes looked into the brown
eyes seriously.
Robertson. Oscars not the worst In
the world, and he'll have a lot OF
money when he leaves Ithaca. He
loves you. Pollyop. and he'd make life
easy and pleasant for you"
A thoughtful moment or two passed,
while Polly Hopkins gazed at her
hands locked together In her lap.
"you can't tell me nothin' about Os.
car she remarked at length. 81 know
the dirty duffer. an don't know
nGthin' good about him. you can bet
yoar boots on that" She paused while
through the open doorway her eyes
were fixed upon a fieecy cloud. high
mp In the deep blue sky. "But that
don't make no difference" she contin
ued. IF linked up with Oscar. would
that pup. Old Marc. let the squatters
stay In the Silent Cityi"
''Why, Polly, dear. of course he will
talked with Oscar last night. and I'll
speak to Mr.. Mackenzie just as sooD
ms you promise to do what Oscar
wants"
Again the smiling face of Robert
Percival cut aci oss Polly Hopkins
mental vision, and through the silence
OF the shanty she head his voice-deep,
low and like music. Then the evil
face of Bennett wormed itself into her
mind. Her lids dropped, and she shud-
dered.
Il couldn't do II, ma'am," she
walled. II just couldn't do thati"
Evelyn arose and stood over her.
you must, Polly" she asserted
ngain. Good heavens. it's the chance
of your llfel OF course you'll do II,
Polly Hopkins. Take little time to
think II over. ri bring Oscar to see
you some day when Mr.. Mackenzie
and my cousin Robert are away"
AT the sound Of that beloved name,
Polly's head fell forward.
"Scoot now" she said. her curls hid
ing her face. 'I'll think about It,"
After Evelyn had gone. Polly me
chanically resumed her sewing. II
seemed that her hearts Joy had wholly
died within her. Patiently she tried
to turn her attention to the work in
her hands, but again and again she
caught herself sitting with idle fingers.
Finally, worried by the conflicting
emotions that were crowding in upon
her. Polly flung herself into the open
and ran swiftly along the ragged rocks
to little glen where many a time she
had been before. Here she waded |
through the brook and sank down he
side 1t. Mind-picture after mind-plc-
ture passed before her. She saw
Daddy Hopkins happy with Jerry in
the shanty. no longer afraid to fish |
and hunt Then she visioned the 81 |
lent City. safe at last. and saved by |
her. Her head sank into her hands;
and sobs racked her slender body.
fTo Pa CopfipnadN