The Lamar register., 1922-02-08

ach, sought for smaller cracks.
Just as she had mended the last
hole, she heard the sound of horses
hoOfs and mems voices. With the fear
of the prosecuted, she crouched close
to the roof, and like some frightened
animal, crawled to the edge Of 1t.
Squatters did not speak like that,
neither did they ride horseback.
There in the lane astrlde two mag
nificent animals, We're two men. one
she recognized instantly. Polly had
every reason to know the tall man
whose dark. handsome face had cast
deep shadows over the Silent City.
Marcos Mackenzie had been for years
the Nemesis that hung over the Cayu-
ga lake squatters. Even during his
absence on war work abroad, his long
arm had often reached back to the
Silent City to pick away some hus-
band and close the prison gates be-
hind him.
Pollyop had passionate desire to
throw the AK at him. She knew there
was not n heart In all the Silent City
that did not beat with dread at the
very mention of his name.
Then She caught glimpse of the
other mans face and forgot her terror
Of Marcus Mackenzie In Ithaca and
about it she had seen many soldiers
but never anyone like MacKenzie's
companion. He was dressed in an Of
iieer's uniform. and, as his horse
wl,rled him into better view, the
frown faded from Pollyops brow as
she gazed wonderingly upon him. She
marked his flashing glances that
swept the Silent City. She noted with
strange little thrill the beauty of the
clearcut features. the full, kindly
mouth and the smooth, tanned skin.
Marcus Mackenzie was speaking
rapidly, and though Polly could not
hear what he said, she knew he was
talking of the squatters. Then words
that made her tingle with joy came
distinctly to her ears.
But you cant turn a lot of folks
out of their homes, Mare" rang forth
deep. rich voice. Where under the
heaven would they go If you did2"
Anywhere they d-n please"
snarled Mackenzie contemPtuously.
ter of. and lthaca too"
Polly's hand tightened on the Ak
handle. To let II fly straight into the
face of the naughty Ithacan would
have been satisfaction indeedi
Have you tried to buy them outT'
asked the other.
mo, and / don't intend to-" was the
sharp retort. They'll go because I'll
make them 90, that's all. I've been
too busy for the last two years ~
make much of dent among them,
but, now I'm home for good. mean to
clear them on" An outward gesture
OF the officers hand told Polly he was
not I'm sympathy with MacKenzie's
threat. "You can't judge of the situa-
tion, Bob" Marcus went on, because
you've been gone for years. Evelyn
can tell you what they are. though"
The speaker wheeled his horse and
pointed his riding whip straight at the
Hopkins shanty; and Polly's curly
head drew quickly back.
"One Of the worst of them lives
there ~ she heard plainly. Hes sort
of mayor of the settlement. Jere-
miah Hopkins And such a tribe az
that hut holds can't be found any
where else In this county. worth
less. tangle-haired girl and a boy half
in the grave, and heard only this
morning they're harbOring a hag by
the name Of Hope. They live like pigs
too"
''The poor things haven't much Of a
chance to live otherwise. have they
Marc?" The question evidently re-
quired no answer. well. what do you
think OF that?" he went on. Then he
read aloud: "'If your heart is loving
and kind, come right in. II 1t amt
scoot or Why, that's beautifulr'
The warm. velvety brown the rich
mans threats had made hard glare
was brought back to Polly's eyes by
these words She could have hugged
the speaker as hard as she sometimes
did Daddy Hopkinsi
Rubbish - sneered Mackenzie
Perfect rot, Your aunt was saying
this morning that the Hopkins girl is
ms odd as she is filthy. The very idea
Of having thing like that hung upr