The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-03-16


too many Kids TO stay handsome like
her" She made a backward motion
with her thumb toward the fence and
searched his face grsyely.
throat made him cough. The girls
statement was like a charcoal draw.
Ing Ia which a few broad lines tell the
whole story He felt his interest In
her increase. She was the quaintest
prettiest and most solemn child he had
ever seen. Yes. he knew she was an
inhnbltant OF the Silent City by the
clothes she wore, and the thin, bow
legged child. to say nothing of the be-
whiskered goat and wooliy lamb that
were with her.
whats your namei". he Inquired.
"Just Pollyop," was the answer.
"Polly Hopkins. My daddy is Jere-
miah Hopkins, the mayor Of this set.
tlement"
Surely Robert remembered very
well Mckenzie speaking OF Hopkins,
and he remembered too the painted
invitation over hut door as II II
were before his eyes. Looking Pollyop
over from the top of her curly head to
the tips of her bare feet, he decided
that she had written II.
Question after question he flung at
her. and answer after answer came
from Polly's lips. She told him where
she lived. and how she cooked the
beans, bacon and fish Daddy Hopkins
provided; how cold II was In the
shanty when the cruel north wind
swept up the lake; and how wet =
was when the rain fell and ciammy
fogs shrouded the world In gray how
Granny Hope was sick with pains. She
gave him an inside view Of life In the
Silent City. Long before she had fin.
ished her recital. Percivals courtesy
had put her at her ease. and she was
chatterIng like a magpie.
Can | do something for you, Polly
HopkinsI" queried Robert, as she fin
lshed telling about life in the squat.
ters' city
She flung out both hands IN com
prehensIye gesture as much as to say
he could see for himself how much she
needed
sure. sure you can," she said with
fierce emphasis "You can make Old
Marc leave us squatters be. You're
blgger'n he is The squatters need
you awful bad"
Her voice broke Robert took long
breath or course he could help this
girl and her people. He would. too !
As far as money gave power, he could
equal and surpass Marcus Mackenzie.
Il did try TO talk sense into Mr..
MacKenzIe's head" he returned pres
emily, but now | will make him leave
you alone"
In spite OF the curved lips about
which a smile lurked. there was appre-
hension In her voice when she asked:
"Can you lick I'm TO q finish, mis-
terY'
Yes. I think | could" laughed Rob
ert but II won't be necessary"
''Ther see US Silent City folks
bein' happy again" sighed Polly. "we
got a awful lot OF things an folks TO
take care OF here"
Robert made sweep with his arm
that encompassed the group before
him.
you have, evidentlyi" he laughed
"An' got more home" interjected
Polly. Il got Daddy Hopkins an
Granny Hope-an' this brat Is my
brother an this goat is Billy Hopkins
an this lambs Nsnnyop. Oh, sure
sir. I've got a hull lot 10 love in this
good old city"
Polly made an upward motion with
her hand toward the picture on the
fence
shes got bunch 10 love. too. she
said softly -Ain't shef"
He walked 10 her side and contem-
plated WITH her the pictured woman
making her silent appeal 20 them for
the wounded boy IN her arms
@0f course she has answered Per
cival reverently. ~She's the Grentest
To the World. Polly Hopkins
and-and-- his gaze dropped upon
her. and he continued ~and you're the
litfiest mother IN the world
A glad smile wfdened the girls lips
All the fear that had been as q ton
weight uron her hs1 fallen swsy. she
wanted % pay him the highest eompli-
ment she knew. When be had mount
ed. she told him gently
some dAy you1l he the bigges; an
most beauiifules, daddy In the world
Good-by~