Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-03-10

terposed in deep tones, "and very pref
ty, too"
The bookcase %draperies moved ever
so little. Polly Hopkins almost burst
with joy when she heard those words.
pretty enough, l suppose" Marcus
conceded, "but not good. She's like
the rest-bad clean through"
The curtains moved a little more
and Robert caught the sway of them
out of the tail Of his eye. He felt that
if Mackenzie did not go soon, he would
throw him out. What the girl would
do if Marc started a TRADE against her
father, Robert did not dare contem-
plate.
Look mere, Mare" he burst forth,
you're all wrong about those people,
all dead wrong. They don't harm any
one. as | can see. Why can't you live
and let liveT
His eyes flashing, Marcus stood up.
mo harm, no harm, you say" he
fared. "Why, they steal everything in
| sight. and in a few more years there
won't be a fish left iD the lake. There
won't be anything to catch in season
or out, if the squatters keep up their
internal poaching. Hunting and fish
ing are for gentlemen, my dear Bob
Don't forget thati"
Gentlemen be d-d!" calculated
Robert, and then the curtains swayed
so that he got to his feet and started
toward the door.
Marc" he continued, perhaps we
can't agree on this matter at all, but
| really do want a heart-to-heart talk
with you about it. But not nowI The
fact is l was busy when you came
in"
thinking up a few more pleas for
the squatters, ehY" the other man
teased. "Well, old fellow, just remem-
Der this. I've got at least twenty-five
men watching everything that scamp
of a Hopkins does, and when l get
something on him, there won't be TWEEN
ty-four hours between that time and
his arrest"
Robert almost showed the speaker
out of the door; but Marcus only
chuckled good-naturedly as he went
away. When Robert turned the key
in the lock, he stood quite still, breath
ing hard.
From behind the curtain, Polly
thrust out her head, her small face
wrinkfed and tears standing thick in
her eyes.
"Tm a-goin' after that pup an swat
him. she Kissed stormily. He lies
when he says my daddy's a scamp"
Percival lifted a precautionary hand.
mot too loud" he warned. "Come
here" She went slowly forward, her
head hanging; but when he held out
his hands she snatched them and bent
her curly head over the strong fingers
and kissed them p~assionately.
"Poor little girl, poor little Polly"
murmured Robert, brokenly. Then as
she swayed toward him, his arms went
around her, and for a moment he
pressed her head against his breast.
"Polly, Pollyop." he whispered, kiss
ing her hair. "Oh. God, if I owned that
lake property rd-Pd-"
A certain deep tone in his voice
brought up Pollyop's head, and she
saw in his eyes an expression that
made her struggle from his arms.
Fleeing to the porch window, she was
gone before Robert could stop her.
y y
"Bob's a queer fish. Eve" laughed
as he came into the music
room where Evelyn Robertson was
waiting for him. IF l hadn't kept my
just now, we should have
parted bad friends"
"That's like you, DEAR" she smiled.
But then, of course, you wouldn't let
him bother you. Fussing about the
squatters again, l suppose"
Evelyn took his big fingers in her
hand and occupied herself in examin-
ing the white spots on one of the pol
ished nails.
"My big man mustn't mind Bobs."
she exclaimed persuasively, noting the
frowning lines that had come in his
face. He's sentimental, Robert is,
full Of half-baked notions about broth
erly love and helping the downtrodden.
and that sort of thing"
The mar laughed indulgentIy. 1t
delighted him to have the girl of his
choice express his own sentiments so
well.
you precious" he murmured.
"They can't fool my Eve much, can
theyY By a simple twist of his wrist
he captured her hand. Then he took
up a favorite topic with new zest.
Il want to improve my property, dear.
The Silent City's an eyesore! If !
could get the squatters off the lake
side and buy the Bennett farm, l could
make my place the handsomest In the
county"
At the suggestion about Oscars
farm, a different light flashed into
the girls eyes. Her hand twitched in
his.
THAT would be wonderful dear"