Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-05-17

For d Short space OF time the two
girls stared into each others eyes, but
Eyelyn's fell first She sank back
Imply.
Take her away. Robertl" she
groaned. ITS too dreadful"
After Pollyop and Robert had gone.
she turned swiftly on Marcus.
Il wish they were all dead, those
wretched squatters." she said fret
fully, and frowning. Mackenzie con-
tinued his breakfast In silence.
Miserable days passed for the en-
tire squatter settlement That the
right arm Of the Silent City had been
Topped OFF when Hopkins was impris-
oned showed plainly in the AFFECTION
of its inhabitants. Every countenance
was wrinkled with anxiety; and still
the strange men lowered about the
lakeside.
Ugly rumors circulated through the
Silent City. 1t was said that to fix a
felony on Hopkins, the officers claimed
that In searching him, before shutting
him up. they had found revolver in
his pocket. Every one that knew him
secuted the idea, but jeremiah Hop
kins was promptly indicted for carry
Ing concealed weapons.
The only concession Robert had been
able to obtain was permission for
Polly to visit her father, and day after
day she carried Jerry to see him.
The day OF Hopkins trial Polly had
to stay at home to care for Granny
Hope and the baby.
Late In the afternoon, while she
was rocking Wee Jerry, for there was
no other way to keep him quiet, there
came rap on the door. Placing him
on the cot, she called soft: "Come
in"
The entrance of Robert Percival
filled her with apprehension. he looked
so serious. so drawn and pale.
"Its about daddy" she exclaimed.
forgetting for the moment how embar-
raised she was
Robert nodded.
"SIt down. Polly" he said grayely,
land I'll tell you"
Mutely she stood staring at him.
'Sit down. dear" he insisted.
II don't want to sit down." she
moaned. Tell me about daddy.
What's happened?-He's goin' to Au-
burn, huhf'
Had he been able, Robert would
have contradicted her Gladly would
he have chased away the yelling tears
that came slowly into the dear eyes.
as IL Auburn PRISON." she whis-
pered. 'Did the jury say he was
guiltyr
"Yes, Polly. but I've still hopes l can
get him another trial." answered Rob
ert. "Oh, little Polly, please don't cry,
please don't"
Unmindful that he was holding out
his hands TO her. she sobbed hysterical-
~, utterly deprived Of self-control.
The more Robert pleaded with her to
cease. the more she kept up the inces,
SAINT wall. .-.--, A.-s-saz..sslse~e
AT the sound OF her anguish. Jerry
awoke and set up loud screaming,
and, ever true to her mother instinct
for him and all others In her wild
world, Pollyop took him up and seat
ed herself, hushing and cafesslng him.
The littlest mother in the world"
breathsd Robert tsnderly, bending
over her. And brave girl you are,
too, Polly Hopkins ...>.-~s.----e
II can't be brave ever any more. I
can't. I need my daddy so. l do. I'm
thinkin' my heart just busted when
they took him away"
He understood. and Roberts very
soul melted in sympathy. Indeed, never
had he worked so hard on any one
thing as he had done to defend the
sQuatter. 1t had been only after Mac
Kenzie had outwltted him that he had
come to the Silent City to break the
bad news 70 Polly Hopkins.
'PolIyop," he began. much moved,
'you do need your father; every girl
does. But while he's gone, II he really
has to go, can make living without
him much easier for you. You must
take some Of the money you have for
yourself" he FASTENED on. mo one
needs 1t more than you do. No. now
don't shake your head. dear. Some
one must help you--dont you seer"
Twas awful good Of you to give
me the money, an let me help the
squatter women" came distinctly from
the sobbing lips. "but Jerry an me
couldn't take a cent of yours !"
Somehow Robert had expected this,
but her refusal did not make him any
the less determined to help her. For
a time he was silent. as Polly slowly
rocked Jerry back and forth.
After a few moments the boy fell
asleep, and his sister laid him quietly
on the bed again. a..~isgss@ssszss.
Nov what be l goin' TO dor she
queried fOrlornly, looking straight at
him. Granny Hope says loves all
powerful, an every night cry out to
the good God to bring my daddy home
It's true, amt II. Jesus can help a
squatter glrlT'
"Of course" Robert assured her.
"0f course, and. oh. Polly. want you
to be different"
"What do you mean by bein' differ
ent7" she stopped him quickly, and
then she caught the look he cast