American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-05-19
Storm Country
Polly
CONTINUED

Oscars staring eyes lost something
of the abject fear they had shown,
as if he had heard and was comforted.
Then over his face swept that look
that comes but once to any man.
Jaw the Christn help you, too,
honey" Granny Hope went on again
smiling.
Polly weeping silently, bent for
ward and gazed hard at the dying
farmer. Oscar wanted to stay a little
longer. He was trying to speak but
she knew he could not. To help him
through the valley of shadows and up
ward into eternal light. she thrust her
head close to his.
Jesus is givin' you rest, Oscar
man !" she whispered.
Pollyop's sobbing voice penetrated
into the young mans darkening SEN
sibilities, mi the ghost of a smile
crept to his lips. Then slowly his eyes
closed. The strained muscles relaxed
from about his mouth, leaving 1t more
boyish; and thus did the Storm coun-
try give back to Evelyn Robertson her
freedom.
After that came dark days for Polly
Op. Even the reproduction of The
Greatest Mother in the World, which
hung in its accustomed place on the
shanty wall, failed to lift the heavy
load that rested like a stone in her
bosom. No more did she stand before
it and dre8m-dream of a deep-toned
voice telling her of love and a future,
dream of Roberts arms about her and
her head pressed against him.
Up and down she went through the
Silent City, unable 10 smile. we'll nigh
unable to speak a word of greeting to
those she met. So sympathetic were
her squatter friends that many a fish
and pan Of baked beans found their
way into the Hopkins hut.
Several times Pollyop had made an
effort to see Evelyn, but the rich girl
never appeared as the little trill
sounded just after nightfall in the
Robertson garden.
In July came rumors that Evelyn
Robertson was to marry Marcus Mac
Kenzie; and that he had bought the
Bennett farm of Oscars heirs. Terri
fed whispers went from mouth to
mouth in the settlement that he had
boosted how he was going to clear the
squatters from the Silent City before
the coming of Christmas.
One night the dark messenger to
whom no home is closed slipped into
e Hopkins shanty and summoned
Granny Hope. Although the absence
of the old withered mouth made one
less to feed, Pollyop missed the oft re
peated assurance that somehow, some
time, love would make crooked things
straight.
Late one day, she took Jerry and
the billy goat and walked through the
Silent City and on toward the Bad
Mans Ravine. The picture she had
grown to love in those long-ago spring
&days still gazed out at her from Mar
Gus MacKenzie's fence.
There for a moment Polly halted
and solemnly contemplated the beauti.
full face. When she had been happy
and that was ages past, she had moi
realized what the call in the mother
plea meant. But as one after another
her loved ones had dwindled away
and none but Jerry was left, a clearer
understanding took possession of her
The same cruel force had attacked heI
and the woman there. They were llv-
ing in a warning world, trying by might
and main to cling to their own, Polly.
op and this giant mother. The woman
asked aid for her vast army of sick
sons; and Polly's sorrow, touched by
her broad compassion. lightened Q
little.
Behind her she heard footsteps
Slowly she turned her head and al
most at the same instant the person
stopped. Pollyop could not move OF