White County record., 1922-07-13


 he grave young squatter e0htem- piated her for lhe space of twenty seconds perhaps.
 You're afraid of the fishermen, aint you, Miss?' she asked. Well, you've got right to be! Larry's different from the rest, though he was as will in up to this night, to chop off your head, as me. But Larry's hearts soft and kind, Larrys is"
 I'm afraid of everybody" gasped Evelyn. Everybody but you, Polly. Please, take me with you, or-or- let me stay till morning"
 A slight shake of Pollyops head brought Evelyn to a sitting position, but pain-racked bones and nerves laid her back again.
 "There," interjected the other girl. You can see how hard it'd be to get you through the snow to your mas house. You'd die before you got there. I'm blest if you wouldn't. No, got to go alone, Miss"
 Noting the fear in Mrs. Mackenzie's 9NSi HAiC OCHL ONtI lut GOl.
 "Will you believe something Pm go- in to tell you, Eve?" she said in a wheedling tone.
 Surely l will, Polly" answered Evelyn, wiping her eyes, but I'm so afraid, so awfully afraid"
 That's uo lie," replied Pollyop im- petuously, 'an' as 1 said, you got a right to be scared of the squatters. Why, only this afternoon I hated you an Old Marc as hard as the rest of the Silent City folks-more, mebbe l! But-but what, I was really gofn' to tell you is this. If l lug you along with me, you won't have no baby in the summer. That's Gods truth I'm telin you, too." -
 Evelyn lowered her lids, and pain full flush mounted to her hair
 You're wantin' the little thing. ain't you?" demanded Polly, her voice vibrant with emotion. "Now, be a big woman, an stay while I'm gone, will you? I'll promise to hustle for all Pm worth"
 Mrs. Mackenzie's timid glance ran around the room.
 "I suppose so,' she whimpered, "but what if some of your people came hereT' She shuddered and went on hurriedly: "PolIy, what're you going to say to Marcus?"
 q don't know yet" mumbled Polly op, but I'll bring him back. Oh, got 1t Say, I'll stick you away in Granny Hopes coop-hole. No squat ter'd think to go in there, even if he comes in. Here! I'll help you.'
 Tenderly she coaxed and begged, but without avail, and patiently Polly sat down on the side of the cot.
 Mss Eve" she took up in low l tones, I'm goin' to tell you some thing Granny Hope told me. Now, you want to get home to your man, don't your"
 Yes, yes, oh, so bad, Pollyop," cried Evelyn, but I can't stay here alone I cant! I can't!"
 She did not think then of the many days and nights the other girl had passed by herself in the same little shack.
 "Mebbe it does seem so, Eve" said Polly Hopkins 'But, horey, when I'm done you'll be thinkin' different. Now, listen; don't you know way down In your insides that your mans near ly sufferin' his life away?'
 Evelyn burst forth into weeping .afresh.
 "Of course I know 1t, Polly,' she sobbed, but"
 An you want him to be wailing all night till daybreak, not knowin' wheth- CT you're in the land of the Twin or not, huh?"
 This was a solemn question asked by very solemn-eyed girl
 Another thing" continued Polly. "When it comes daybreak, there'll be lot of squatters about. They come every day to this hut. I'd have to it's stormin, an most of 'em are in bed. I could run as fast as a rabbit an be back in a jiffy. Can't you screw up your courage an let me go?'' This long statement Evelyn thought over for few moments. Then:
 Perhaps I could, if"
 "I know you can," interrupted Pol Iyop. "Now, listen; Granny Hope said anything you want you can have out of loves own heart for the askin'"
 But Pm such wicked girl" moaned Evelyn dismally.
 "So be l." returned Pollyop prompt l ly. Were both rotten bad, God knows, but never mind all that now. l got to get Old Mare; an the only way you can help is to stay quiet while Pm out for him. Now, lean on me an I'll stow you away in the rub | bish room till I get back" Ashamed to make further appeals to the girl who was showing more spirit than she had ever thought pos | Sible for any girl to show. Evelyn al-