Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-03-22
CHAPTER ".

= ~ Ht-7atffA Ahtr nv anu sat tONh Win
Jerry on her lap. She disrobed him.
dried the small body, and placed him
on the cot under the blankets. An
other piece Of candy was popped into
the ever ready little mouth; and he
cuddled down contentedly.
His daughters cheerful face, when
Jeremiah came home for his dinner,
drove away, fer the time being, the
dread her announcement of Mac
Kennels return had stirred in him,
Her description of mending the roof
brought a wry smile to his face She
sat on his knee while he smoked his
pipe and Chartered Of the little init
mate things of The lakeside. and later
sent him and Jerry off to Larry
Bishops shack, feeling the better for
food and warmth and love.
At five O'Clock. milk-pail in hand,
she took the lane that led TO the Ben
nett farm. Nothing but her promise
to Evelyn would have dragged her
again that day into Oscars presence.
Nor did she consider that the message
she had to deliver would incline the
farmer to be very generous In the mat
ter Of milk. Suppose he demanded pay
for 1t on the basis he had suggested !
She rounded the building and went
into the COW stables. On nail Ia the
wall hung a lantern, and the farmer
sat milking COW.
"Hello. Oscarl" was her greeting. Il
saw Miss Eve, but | didn't tell her
nothin' about the kisses you wanted"
Bennett turned and studied her curl
ously. taking quick stock of her. even
to the brown of her bare feet. No. he
had not made a mistake In summing
her up that morning.
you better hadn't" he growled,
without lnterrupting his work. Il sup
pose you brought me some fool. mes
sage from her, ehi" Having finished
the COW. he rose and stood with the
brImming pai. Of milk in his hand
"She sent you. didn't she?"
Polly hesitated a moment, coughed
And cleared her throat,
"A little milk for Jerry, please" she
suggested extending her can.
Bennett snatched 1t from her hand.
"Good God. you squatters're nothing
but beggars," he grafnbled, but be-
cause he was eager to get her message,
he filled the pail full Smilingly Polly
took II back.
"tsm thankin' YOU. Oscar" she
gurgIed, Fan nov mebbe a fresh egg
for Granny Hope?"
He made an angry motion with his
hand.
Up in that box" he snapped. Then
tell what You came for! What'd Eve
say"
"Your woman sent word by me-" she
began
Tell IL. and don't be all day about
It," ordered the farmer.
Pollyop took a couple Of steps back
ward toward the door, ready to fly II
Oscar showed any signs Of unusual
wrath.
"She SAID you wasn't to write her
any more letters" she replied. "She's
awful scared. She trembled all over
when she told me-"
"What did she say about money!"
Bennett demanded gruffly.
Through the dim light of the Ian
tern, Polly looked at him pleadingly.
"She just can't get another cent. :"
she returned, IAN she's feelIn' terrible
bad about IT,"
Although he had not finished his
task, Bennett jumped up from his
stool, and one step took him very close
to the nervous young speaker.
"She can't, chr he cried. "She
means she won't, guess. BY God, she
will, or I'll come out with the whole
thing. You go and tell her so. She's
got rich folks, and / didn't marry her
to keep quiet all my life Tell her
either she comes home here to me,
or she pays up. If she pays" he
paused, then laughed. "Oh, you need.
MT look as IL was goin' TO swat you
one, Pollyop.r ne went on, "but as ]
was sayin', IL she pays up and get
rid Of her. then-me for you, Polly
Hopkins"
His voice was harsh, and his man
ners rough. Polly retreated to the
threshold.
'The times here" Oscar went on,
awhen both you women Will be leap
ing to my CAD. Therei Get home and
say to my lady Just what l said"
again he broke OF, only to continue,
'Ieaving out the part about you. See,
PollyopY'
Dumb with dread, Polly sagged
weakly against the door casing. No
wonder Evelyn Robertson didn't want
TO live with such mani
"And you can tell her TO come to
night at nine O'clock. TO Granny Hopes
old shack" he proceeded. Il want tc
talk TO her. Now get along and dont
come around after any more milk. OF
| IN throw you out Of the barn"
Glad TO be gone. Polly passed out tC
i the lane. In little ravlne at her left
a noisy stream rumbIed down the hill
with wistfuI eyes she watched Il
through the fast gathering dusk flow
away TO the lake. 1t was then she sav
something moving about In a sinai
pool Of water In a rock basin. Care
fully she put the milk and eggs on I
bit Of smooth turf. Down the banl
she slipped and there In the falling
gloom. struggling In the water. was /
baby lamb. PolIyop tucked her skirt
M about her waist and waded into IN
- ss.,-n.e1 ts,,o. vba <nU mnx