The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-05-25
(continaedl
CHAPTER xv.

CHAPTER Sv.
There was gloomy silence In the
shAnty until the horses hoofs could
be heard no longer In the snow out
side. Larry Bishop crouched low 10
Jsremiah's rocking chair. pulling IN
nervous tension NJ his fingers until
she joints cracked. He shot Polly
Hopkins = furtiye glance but dropped
bis thick lids before the unearthly ex-
precision in the girls eyes. She had
lost the look Of heavenly compassion
that had given cheer to the squatters.
As his mind went back 10 the spring
days when she had so ofsn smiled
comfort into his own aching heart. he
heayed deep sigh The sound Of his
breath. catching In his throat, brought
Polly scrambling from the cot.
Unmindful OF the morose squatter,
she began pacing the floor, holding icy
fingers TO her aching temples.
Best take the pillows ofrn her,
Poll" muttered Bishop shell smoth-
er II you don't"
The girl paused and threw him u
glance over her shoulder.
Get out OF here. you Larry" she
bade him in fierce emphasis. shed
better smother than get what's comm
TO er. You an Lye hang around a
while TIL | call you When I'm done
with 'er. you'll have TO sink her in the
lake"
Staggering to his feet, Larry
brushed away the water that had
gathered In glistenlng drops upon his
brow.
God, KID" he growled, you don't
seem human no more It's aii so d--d
terrible I'm gettin' haunted II you
change your mind. Poll, an not kill
'er--"
A gurgling noise came from under
the pillows on the cot, and as II an
unseen hand were pushing her for
ward. Pollyop strode to the bed and
jerked away the small feather ticks.
Evelyns eyes sought out the squat
ter man In mute pleading Polly
laughed; and gray with horror at her
merCiless attitude, Larry skunk TO the
door
II guess this ain't none of my bust
ness he mumbled, and opening II,
be fed as II pursued by vIndictlve
spirit Of the Storm country.
Again with swift. long strides the
girl went 10 the door and barred a.
Then with utmost deliberatIon she
lighted several other candles and set
them In different parts OF the hut un.
til a food Of light was diffused
through the room.
A long deep sigh fell from her lips
as she finished her task She wanted
60 see every wave Of pain that shot
across Evelyn MacKenzle's pallld
face and that was why she sp-
preached the cot and stood looking
down upon the twisted figure.
Al she had endured through the
rich girls perfidy swept over her Ike
tidal wave. out Of the dark dream
of Ierry's going she could hear
through the moaning willows the
weird lasi cries ~ the baby The
memory almost drew a Shrek from
her Then she rolled the living bundle
from the bed and propped in into q
sitting position
A. wickedly deliberate as her every
act had been. SO did she lift the az
from the noor
Like a chicken" she taunted smll
ing down into Evelyh's haggard face
Evelyn struggled, and mufiied
sound came from back of the gag in
her mouth
While Polly contemplated Der an
emotion she used 90 know s6~often
rose within her end tugged al her
heart until the burt made her clutch
a. her side She dropped down and
rau her nnrers under the heavy cord
with which TIE gir was bouud
Ropes hurtIl yoa hulT she
aueried
Al affirmative bab of her beed was
the emily answer Mr Mackenzie could
give
~fH undo em hlt- Sii Polly
suikiiy. -Looseuin up q fvs strings
dout say you uout grt what's c0mln' (
% you
Win her strong. white teeth and
def fingers she united the heavy I
knots that plnieued the slender arms. /
Did the sguauers give you any
thing % eatf- she asked. rocking back I
on her heels. II sou wHs 10 Larry's
hut - long with that thing In your /
mo-fh. then I BET y0u're hungrgr