Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-06-22
CHAPTER XIV.

G00-Alm1gnty, POLLY DratP eX-
claimed Larry Bishop one evening,
what made you come out night like
this, huh?"
The girl went to the steve and in
silence extended her hands over its top.
whats up, Pollyop?" the man de-
manded again, curiously, dropping into
a chair. "You look something awful !"
And so she did! The long-lashed
eyes had gathered and held an indetin-
able expression of hatred. The fair,
lovely face knew tender sympathy no
more. She was no longer Polly of the
Sun. For her that orb had become
merely ball in the sky, hot like the
stove and bright like the candle flame,
only more so. Nor did the pale winter
moon ever catch her dazzling smiles
The winking stars had forgotten weeks
ago that once squatter girl had stolen
out nightly to throw upward kiss,
begging them to deliver it to the cruel
fed one there beyond them-the good
Jesus who sat on the golden throne
and who had sent her the message by
Granny Hope that Love were strong
er'n hate any day"
AS usual her feet were In Jeremiah's
boots and as usual she wore his coat.
Her curls were covered with snow,
and as she studied the dark-faced man
she shook drops of water from them.
She advanced toward him, choking
with emotion. Since Wee Jerry had
gone, her hours, spent In planning re-
venge, had completely exhausted her.
She was so tired that when she
reached Larry she crouched before
him on the floor and turned pale, be-
seeching face up to him.
"Tve come, Larry Bishop" she be-
gan gravely, ITO ask you to help me to
even up a little with Old Marc"
The squatter's head went up, and
startled expression shot into his fierce
eyes. Then he sank lower In his chair,
and the fire died out Of his counte-
nance.
'sWho can get even with that d-n
brute?" he muttered after a while.
"Squatters can'tl We'd all go to Au-
burn if we muss up him or hisn."
A white young face showed so close
to his that Bishop drew back.
"Who cares d-n about Auburn
Pollyop exclaimed roughly. "We won't
60 there till we've tore Old Mares
heart to pieces an made it hurt like
yours does, Larry, like mine does for
Jerry an Daddy Hopkins. Wouldn't
you be wlIlin' to spend few years in
Jail If you could make him howl an go
almost mad like me an you have,
LarfyT"
Bishop looked beyond her head into
a dark corner 1t was in that spot he
often imagined he saw the wrath Of
his woman. His unsteady regard set
tied and the ghost woman rose mist
lily, gazing at him with unearthly eyes.
Then the pale, unsmiling phantom ex-
tended her arms and within them ap-
peared frail infant.
"GodI" burst from his lips like a
shot from gun.
Pollyop glanced backward over her
shoulder. But the shudder that ran
over him brought her haggard face
back to his.
''Ain't your heart hurtln' something
awful for your Betty woman an your
brat now, this very minute7" she
Queried abruptly, as If she. too, had
seen the CHASTITY thing in the corner.
"God, yesl" he shivered, taking firm
hold Of his chin to hide the tremble of
it.
She seized his arm vlselike, the grip
drawing a groan from the squatter.
-An' wouldn't you just love to see
Old Marc twist an sQuirm like q
stepped-On baby snake, huhi" came in
one long. sobbing breath.
Again the shlfty look Of the tortured
man came to rest on the gloom beyond.
'Td die for It, so would, POllyOp,"
he cried. "Out with what you got In
your bean. Poll; an I'll listen, so help
me Godr"
PolIyop leaned heavily against him,
painting. She was making an effort to
tell him her plan. With a swift up
ward motion Of her head she began to
talk in broken tones; and as she pro-
ceeded, Larry Bishop raised stralghter
IN his chair.
Polly's voice tralled into silence;
and Larry sent one hasty look over her
head. The wrath smiled sadly at him
and was gone. He shook himself and
struggled to his feet. Then a broad,
wicked grin spread his lips apart. and
he laughed aloud. Pollyop, still on the
door, laughed. too, hystericaI sons
catching at her throat, and a desire to