Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-07-26


lyop cleared her throat and wiped her
face.
"An' your man railroaded my daddy
to Auburn" she gasped, after plantin'
something on him he didn't do; an
you, every one OF you, knew It."
Her voice rose to a high-pitched
scream as she remembered the last
scene in the county jail.
-God, wasn't ii swful?" she cried.
"An' you" She leaned over and
grasped Evelyn's arm. you could q
let me 90 to Auburn If you'd a. tried.
but you didn't. An then--then you
said you didn't give me that dress.
You're all -an'-an'-sneaks, you
money folks be-"
Her hand reached out and touched
the ak, but she withdrew 1t as II an
adder had been under her fingers. She
was not yet able to do the deed which
she had longed to do and thought
would be a joy Her head sagged for
ward, and again came Jeremiah's
weeping face before her.
"If you'd "a seen my daddy In the
Ithaca Jail. mebbe you'd be able to
think what I'm goin' TO do is all right.
Yep. all right y she rasped.
Then she went on hoarsely, faltering
as she described the horrors that all
her loved ones had gone through. Her
voice choked and became silent as she
thought of Robert. She could not force
her tongue to say word about him,
although her heart throbbed bitterly as
his name came TO her lips
Money y she whispered brokenly,
lifting her head. did you hear your
man say money to us squatters as II
cash'd pay for Larry's woman an Jer-
ry an my daddy7 You heard. didn't
your,
Evelyn's head sagged forward. and
a spasm passed over her face as her
eyes closed. She looked as if she had
died. Polly Hopkins had seen death
enter the Silent City many time; and
her heart-srrings frightened
"Are you goneT she questioned 10
kissing whisper.
The other girls lids lifted slowly.
and never had Pollyop seen such an
expression in human eyes in all her
life.
Not yet" dropped from the blue
lips, "and--and-oh Pollyop, I'm so
afraid to die. don't know howl Oh,
God, help me; feel so sick"
Daddy were sick, too" shot back
Polly, AN Jerry's turned up his toes
by this timei / amt heard a word
from him since he was took away.
Mebbe / could a. seen him If you
hadn't made your cousin believe | were
q bad womanl What d'you know
about babies, an how cunnin an sweet
they are? You're as wicked as hi /
Ithacall be better off when you're
food for the fishes I'm glad your
man1l live. though Lordy, how
laughed when he busted into the
shanty. And there was you right be-
side mel Huh? Wasn't It a good
Joke on Old MarcY
The speaker held Evelyn's stare, the
chestnut eyes glittering as the ques-
ton was fairly spat out.
81 can't die, Pollyopw groaned Eve
Ign, her head dropping against the
cot. "oh. Polly dear. listen--please--"
Polly reached out for the ak.
Don't you dare Polly dear me-"
she gritted conyulsively, "or Eli hit
you with thisr'
''God l-Jesusr came from between
Evelyn's chattering teeth. mo. don't
pick 1t up! Don't! oh. want to tell
you something, Polly Hopkins"
''Then IRE ahead" Polly grumbled
sullenly.
She withdrew her fingers from the
ax-handle and leaned her chin In the
palm of her hand.
Evelyn Strengthened up and bent
forward, her eyes swimming with
tears.
"Polly," she gasped, "Pollyop, In the
summer Gods going to send me lit
tie baby. Oh. Polly"
The squatter girl scrambled up as
the speaker dropped back, terrified at
the exultant fire in the brown eyes and
the awful smile that crept across Pol
ly's face.
"Glory be to God In the skyl' she
cried. 1.-TWO of you belongin' TO Old
Marc goin' with one swipe of the Ak"
She wheeled around and paced the
length of the shanty. Old Mares baby
Old Mares woman! Both TO go out
of his life forever And by her hands
hers, Polly Hopkins hands
She lifted them up, those slender.
brown fingers. and looked at them
against the candlelight. But a few
months ago they had been the most
willing fingers in all the county, But
tonight-Marc's baby Eyelyn's baby
Like hive of bees, the joy Of dis
sipating the home Of Marcus Mac
Kenzie buzzed through her brain No
sound came from the girl on the floor.
for Evelyn Mackenzie had given up
all hope. The squatter girl was crazy.
No human being could entertain such
a CHASTITY purpose and be In his right
mind
Presently she called Polly's name
family, and then again because Polly
gave her no heed, she cried louder:
"PoIlyop, my feet hurt sol ] can't
bear iti''
Polly paused, leaned against the
wall and -glared- at-her. -