The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-04-07

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 I don't know
nothin' good about him, you can bet
your boots ON that" She paused while
through the open doorway her eyes
were fixed upon feecy cloud, high
up 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 Cityr
why, Polly, dear, of course he Will
1 talked with Oscar last night, and TIL
speak to MFR. Mackenzie Just as soon
as you promise to do what Oscar
wants"
Again the smiling face of Robert
Perciyal cut across Polly Hopkins
mental vision, and through the silence
of the shanty she head his vofce-deep,
low and like music. Then the evil
face OF Bennett wormed itself into her
mind. Her lids dropped, and she shua-
dered.
Il couldn't do It, ma'am," she
walled. ''I just couldn't do that 70
Evelyn arose and stood over her.
You must, Polly" she asserted
again. Good heavens, it's the chance
Of your Iifel OF course youn do 1t,
Polly Hopkins. Take little time to
think 1t over. I'll 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. 'IIl think about it"
After Evelyn had gone, Polly me-
ehanically 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 erowding 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 be-
side 1t. Mind-picture after mind-pic-
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 ST.
lent City, safe at last, and saved by
her. Her head sank into her hands;
and sobs racked her slender body.
But 1t was not long before she sat
up and tossed back her cur4s. II
seemed as Ii she had heard a voice.
She turned her head slowly; and 10,
Robert Percival was standing across
the creek. smiling at her.
Il followed you, Polly Hopkins" he
called, and springing across the water,
he added: "You ran so fast lost You
at the corner of the ragged rocks, and
it's taken me all this time to find you"
He sat down beside her and took her
hands; but Polly could not look up
at him. Embarrassed beyond utter
ance, she withdrew her fingers, letting
them fall iistlessly. Robert laughed.
Her lovely face, first white then scar
let, only teld him that she was glad
to see him, and spoke of girlish limo
cenee, dear to all men.
"You went away so suddenly the
other night" he ran on. 81 didn't have
chance to say half I wanted to. I
had something for you, too, but
couldn't get away until today to bring
Ii dewn."
He pulled little roll Of paper from
his pocket and handed 1t to her. Won
deringly she opened it, and there was
an exact reproduction OF 'sThe Great
est Mother In the World"
Polly was so overcome she contin-
ued silent.
'sDon't you like 1t. little PoilyopT
querfed Robert, putting his fingers I'M
der her chin and raising her face to
his.
~Yepi'' she whispered, blushing.
"Sure, sure do. love IT."
Then why don't you smilef" he de-
manded; and as she shyly complied
with his request, he ran on: ~Tve
talked with Mackenzie, and he's so
set Cenfound It'll He makes me so
hot can scarcely listen TO him. But,
Polly dear, TIL do everything I can.
I've got money and friends, as well as
he has, and I'll use 'em too. VIII you
trust me. SWEET"
She bowed her head In grateful as
sent. How she thrilled at the touch
of the warm. white handi
look at me, dearie," he begged.
and, when she did fash him rosy
glance. he caught her to him. 81 love
you. little girl" he whispered.
AN loves the greatest thing In
Ithaca, amt itf' she murmured in
trembling confusion.
"Yes, yes" he breathed. Little
girl-oh, my littlest dear"
His voice trailed away, and his pas