The Jones County news. (Ellisville, Miss.) 1909-1924, 1922-02-21
CHAPTER I-continued.

CHAPTER l-continued.
P
One day Polly had found her sick In
bed, and. as she had led the forlorn
billy goat home, so did she bring
Granny Hope, never realizing that in
the tottering old figure she was en-
pertaining an angel unawares. All she
knew was that Grannys foothless
smile, her cheerful words OF love and
kindness, made the sun shine bright
er and the meager food more filing.
During the winter, Mrs. Hope had
encouraged the girl to read. Al first
that had been difficult, for the shanty
contained nothing but the iattered
Bible the old woman had brought with
her. over and over Polly hnd read
the miseries Of Job the patient, the
long lamentations of jeremiah, who al
ways put her in mind Of Daddy Hop
kins; and she also knew by heart the
story of the crucifixion of Jesus, who,
so the Bible said, was the hest man
that had ever walked the globe.
So had those winter days Of close
companionship with the woman who
had lived long and suffered much, and
who now was almost ready to on to
larger experiences. brought out In
Polly Hopkins a greater capacity for
lowing. The squatters called her
"Pollyop, the love-lass," and some
times, "Polly Of the SUM-" Granny
Hope explained this by saying: "They
all love you. Poll, an it's out of your
own heart they get the feelln' of joy
when they see We"
From behind the wood-box near
where the goat stood, Pollyop took up
an ak. Tenderly she bent and placed
a kiss upon the goats horny head.
Then she touched Granny Hope.
The woman lifted her lids aud
smiled at the girl.
whats the matter, love-lass?" she
murmured.
I'm goin out, Granny" replied
Polly. eff Daddy comes, tell i'm I'll
Zoe back in a while"
Into the rain she went, her bare feet
carrying her swiftly over the ragged
rocks, her curls gathered under her
chin like warm gllstening hood.
When later she appeared in front OF
the slanty, her Bingham skirt was
filled with rusty pans and old pieces
of tin. She placed them on the door
step, and looking hesitatingly at the
willow tree, went back into the house.
From a peg Polly took pair of her
fathers trousers and clambered into
~ m. tucling her skirts out Of sight
Il rolling mp the trouser legs. for
Daddy Hopkins was much taller than
Ills daughter. Into one of the biz
pockets Polly thrust handful OF
s.ails. II was grotesque looking girl
who few minutes later was fatten.
ang ont the pans and the old bits OF
tin upon the stone.
When that was finished. she gath
cred them up and, AK in hand, climbed
into the willow tree and onto the
roof. Daddy Hopkins would be GLAD
when ne came home and found the
shack dry aud warm. Then she begar
2ier task Of hnnmering the pieces OF
lin over the holes through which the
water drlpped once In a while she
stopped working and fat on her stom
sacli. sought for smaller cracks.
just as she had mended the las
dole, She heard the sound of horses
loofs and mems voices. With the feal
,of the prosecuted, she crouched clos,
Ia she roof. and like some frightened
animal, crawled "a the edge Of II
Squatters did not speak like that
neither did they ride horseback.
There in the lane, astiide two mag
nihcent animals. were two men. on,
she recognized instantly. Polly ha,
every reason to know the tall mar
whose dark, handsome face had cas-
deep shadows over the Silent City
Marcus Mackenzie had been for year
the Nemesis that hung over the Cayu
ga lake squatters. Even during hi
absence on war work abroad. his lon,
arm had often reached back to til,
Silent City to pick away some hus
band and close the prison gates be
hind him.
pollyop had a passionate desire 4
throw the ak at him. She knew Their
was not heart In all the Silent Cit.
that did not beat with dread at tn
very mention OF his name.
Then she caught a glimpse of tn
other mans face and forgot her terro
of Marcus Mackenzie. In Ithaca AM
about It she had seen many soldier
but never anyone like Mackenzie
companion. He was dressed in an OF
ficers uniform. and, as his hors
whirled him into better view, tn
frown faded from Pollyop's brow a
she gazed wonderingly upon him. Sh
marked his flashing gances tina
swept the Silent City. She noted wit
"a strange little thrill the beauty Of tn
-clearcut features. the full, kind
mouth and the smooth, tanned skin.
Marcus Mackenzie was speakin
rapidly. and though Polly could nc
hear what he said. she knew he wa
talking Of the squatters. Then word
that made her Jingle with Joy cam
distinctly to her ears.
"But you can't turn lot Of folk
-nut of their homes. Marc" rang fort