Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-06-07

that had overwhelmed her. Polly
watched Robert Percival lead his c0u-
sin from the hut. After the first Wild
impulse to tell him the truth. she had
made no further effort to clear herself.
Evelyn Robertson was going TO hold
her TO the word she had made two
years agol Being innately honest her
self. Pollyop could see no way to
tighten her own detection or to stu
Roberts fierce anger. Her little world
was tumbling to pieces around her. No
longer could she think Of him as her
own. though but a few short minutes
before he had comforted her with
kisses and promises. He had demand
ed that she should trust him, yet at
the very irst trial OF his faith. he had
lung away and left her alone.
Blinded by tears. she felt her way
to the cot. Bennett lay In the same
position. his wide-open eyes holding
an expression Of horror.
She's got a lily liver all right. Os-
car" Polly Kissed through her teeth.
did you hear all what she said?"
Such Is the power of habit over q
nature like the squatter girls that
Robert faded from her mind, and 0s-
car Bennett, suffering and dying. alb
sorbed her whole attention.
Cant you hear anything. oscarr'
she questioned. Listen, mebbe you1l
get well. If you do. take your old
NANNY an get out quick. Eve amt
worth one of your toe nails. You've
been mean duffer, Oscar, but you're
too d--n good for her God. but she
were a wicked woman. wasn't she,
huh?"
Not move Of the heavy head on
the pillow gave evidence that she had
been heard
She was still standing by Benefits
side when, without knocking, Robert
opened the door and came in, followed
by the doctor. Polly recognized the
stranger instantly as the medical man
who lived short distance down the
boulevard. In anxious inquiry she
glanced at Perclval
Observing that she had been weep
ing, his anger fiared again. 1t never
occurred to him that his own cruelty
had drawn the tears from her eyes.
There was the huge farmer stretched
out on the bed and the squatter girl
crying beside him She was mourning
over the stricken mani Robert
frowned; and hopelessly, in silence,
Polly moved aside to give the doctor
the space she had occupied.
After hasty examination Of the pa
tient. Doctor Bacon turned to Polly
Hopkins.
Something struck him." he said
shortly. You've been quarreling with
him, Ell. girli What did you hit him
with?"
Accusation rang against her not
only In the speakers tones but In Rob-
ert's inarticulate cry.
''Why did you strike him, Polly Hop
kins?" he demanded hoarsely. did
you? Speak, Did you7"
That he should believe such things
of her crushed her completely. Her
head fell forward, but not until Rob-
ert spoke again harshly did she an
swer.
Nope" she breathed Her tongue
felt as II 1t were covered with ashes
Nope, l didn't hit him.
That was all she said. She looked
up at him pleadingly through her thick
lashes. Perhaps he did not really be-
lieve her guilty. Yes, he did He was
still fixing upon her that accusatory
gaze
He'd better be moved out Of this
hole" observed the doctor, looking
around, but it's an awful night" He
considered a moment and then added !:
'ill telephone to Ithaca for an ambu-
lance
Sternly he directed look Of disgust
at Polly. He hated attending the
squatters anyway, and never would
have consented to enter the Silent City
II Robert Perciyal had not come for
him.
Aghast at the horror Of the emer-
gency. Pollyop seemed not to notice
the physicians contempt
SIS he goin' to die. misterT she
queried plaintively.
81 don't know" he replied In gruff
indecision. as he prepared draught.
When everything within human
power had been done for Oscar Ben
nett, Robert allowed the doctor to pass
out Of the hut before him. Then, like
a shot, he turned back to Polly's side
His eyes blazed with jealousy; and
quickly 1t crossed her mind that he
was going tc strike her. OH Bow she
wished he would and then take back
all the cruel words he had hurled ut
heri
when you said you loved me, you
lied" he gritted sayagely. You knew
all the time you had him. You let me
kiss youi You said love was the
greatest thing In the world l-oh. God
How wish could hate youi"
Polly could not speak. neither could
she move Imprisoned tragedy ley In
the depths Of her eyes II he had been
less violent. she would have implored
him to trust her.
Percival really hoped she would re-
sent his accusations. Stormy denials
would have been sweet music TO his
ears. He would have welcomed even
9 torrent Of abuse from her. Anything
was less maddening than this sinister
silence that seemed to put the stamp
of truth upon his cousins explanation