Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-05-19

caught Wee Jerry by the shoulders.
But to disengage the boys clutch from
the chestnut curls called forth all the
quickness the man possessed. Polly
struggled madly, and the child
shrieked and chung to his sister with
all the puny strength he had.
Keep away, Percival," snapped
Mackenzie, pushing Robert backward.
IF you lay one finger on my men, I'll
take the girl along to Jail"
To save the girl he loved, Robert
compelled himself to stand by while
the boy was torn bodily from her. He
saw one Of the men drag a blanket
from the bed and throw 1t around Wee
Jerry,
Then he snatched at the girl, but she
quickly eluded his grasp. How awfully
her eyes glowcd, and how her face
twitchedl
"Get out with him before she cuts
up any more" growled Marcus, as
Polly bounded forward only to be met
by the speakers outstretChed rms.
"If you make another scene, my
lady" he raped out, "Ill have you ar
rested for obstruCting the law. And
remember this, huzzy, I'm going to get
you next"
His threat against herself meant
nothing to Polly Hopkins. But the
word "law"! 1t struck at her brain
like a hammer, She suddenly felt as if
a tidal wave, strong and relentless, had
broken over her. 1t was the same law
taking Jerry that had imprisoned Dad
dy Hopkins, that had carried away
Larry Bishop from his woman. The
thought brought her up with n sharp
gasp. She did not care what they did
with her, but little Jerry, Wee Baby
Jerry
"What You goin' TO do with him, mis-
teri" she begged, wringing her hands.
"Tcll me that! | can't let i'm 60 till
you do!'
She caught at his arm, and the
strong brown fingers dug deep into his
flesh.
Look into the paper there and you'll
see where I'm going TO take him. an
swercd Mackenzie. "Let go Of my
arm There! !" lie wrenched himself
free. Then. enraged and with eyes
flashing, he shouted, Get out with the
kid, you men, and start Off"
Glad to be gone, the officials stepped
into the open, one Of them carrying
the writing Jerry. Then Polly Hop
kins stood upright in the middle of the
shanty, grief, CONSERVATION, and then
an expression of insanity passing over
her face.
Robert Percival was near her, not
daring to utter n word; her deep-set
agony was too terrible for sympathy.
All at once she started forward; and
he made a desperate effort to stop
her.
"Pollyop," he pleaded. AS she raced
through the doorway, he called: "Wait
wait"
In an instant he was out beside her,
speaking her name softly, imploringly.
She paid no heed to him, but flung up
her arms. And then she laughed !
Marcus Mackenzie was standing beside
his horse, and on beyond In the lane n
carriage was rolling away, from which
came pitcous screams from Jerry.
"%Pollyop,' entreated Robert.
But Polly had bounded from him to-
ward the man and the horse.
81 hope" She shrieked ut Mackenzie,
II hope your h9ndsll wither off I'm
wishin' all you l2ye'H die before your
eyes, an every day I'll be askin' Gran
NY Hopes lovin' God to d-n YOU till
you drop rottin' in your grave
Marcus had halted with his foot in
the stirrup, lie had heard every word
she had uttered and drops Of cold
sweat gathered on his brow. Then,
with an oath, he yaultcd into the sad.
die, put the spurs to his horse and gal,
Hoped up the hin after the %retreating
carriage.
Robert was leaning Imply against
the side of the Shanty when Polly
Hopkins turned swiftly back, He spoke
TO her; and she looked dazedly at him
Then she laughed again, directly into
his face; and the young man, almost
as ~distraught MS she, tried to take hole
Of her.
You Scoot, too" she said to him
get out, an stay out; an'-an' tel
your li~ly.livered cousin, | say, | hop,
II she ever has 4 baby it won't have
no eyes to see 'er with, nor no moutl
to kiss 'er With hope
"Oh. God" groaned Robert.
Before he could get back his wits
she had rushed past him into III,
shack, slammed the door and barred 4
against him.
For more than two hours Polly Hop
kins lay face down on her cot. Durin.
that time her loving heart had broker
and died within her. She had no Longer
an incentive to live. no more Il desir,
to look forward to Daddy's home-com
ing.
When ut length she crawled TO tn,
floor. all signs Of tears had diSap
peared. leaving the nice glowing eye
dull and eXpressionless. There was n,
one left 20 love save the billy goat, an,
to him she gave no heed.