Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-05-19
CHAPTER XIV.

hou-HllHlSHlE Iony pIdt! ca
claimed Larry Bishop one evening,
what made you come out a night like
this, huhT"
The girl went to the steve and In
silence extended her hands over its top.
whats up, Pollyop?' the man de-
manded again, %curiously, dropping into
Il chair. you look something awful
And so she did The long-lashed
eyes had gathered and held an indefin-
able expression of hatred. The fair,
lovely face knew tender sympathy no
more. She was no longer Polly of the
Sun. For her that orb had become
merely Il ball in the sky, hot like the
stove and bright like the candle flame,
only more so. Nor did the pale winter
moon ever catch her dazzling smiles.
The winking stars had forgotten weeks
ago that once n squatter girl had stolen
out nightly to throw upward a kiss,
begging them to deliver it to the cruel
fed one there beyond them-the good
Jesus who sat on the golden throne
and who had sent her the message by
Granny Hope that Love were strong
erin hate any day.
As usual her feet were in ,Jcremiah's
boots, and as usual she wore his coat.
Her curls were covered with snow,
and as she studied the dark-faced man
she shook drops Of water from them.
She advanced toward him, choking
with emotion. Since Wee Jerry had
gone, her hours, spent in planning re-
venge, had completely exhausted her.
She was so tired that when she
reached Larry she crouched before
him m the floor and turned a pale, be-
Seechlng face up to him.
1--WE come, Larry Bishop" she be-
gan gravely, ito ask you to help me to
even up a little with Old Mare"
The squatter's head went up, and a
startled expression shot into his fierce
eyes. Then he sank lower In his chair,
and the fire died out Of his counte-
nance.
"Who can get wen with that d-n
brute?" he muttered after a while.
"Squatters can't! We'd all go to Au-
burn If we muss up him or his'n."
A white young face showed so close
to his that Bishop drew back.
"Who cares a d-n about Auburn"
Pollyop exclaimed roughly. ave won't
go there TIL we've tore Old Mares
heart to pieces an made it hurt like
yours does, Larry, like mine does for
Jerry an Daddy Hopkins. Wouldn't
you he wilIin' to spend a few years in
Jail if YOU could make him howl an go
almost mad like me an you have,
LarsyT
Bishop looked beyond her head into
a dark corner. 1t was in that spot he
often imagined he saw the wrath Of
his woman. His unsteady regard set
tied; and the ghost woman rose mist
lily, gazing at him with ~unearthly eyes.
Then the pale, unSmiling phantom eX-
tended her arms and within them APP
peared Il frail infant.
Cod" burst from mis- lips like a
shot from a gun.
Pollyop glanced backward wei her
shoulder. But the shudder that ran
over him brought her haggard face
back to his.
"Ain't your heart hurtin' something
awful for your Betty woman an your
brat now, this very minute?' she
queried abruptly, as If she, too. had
seen the CHASTITY thing in the corner.
God, yesw he shivered, taking firm
il.
She seized his arm viSelike. the grip
drawing n groan from the sQuatter.
An wouldn't you just love to see
Old Mare twist an SQuirm like 0
Steppcd-on baby snake, huh?" came In
one long, sobbing breath.
Again the Shifty look of the tortured
man came to rest ON the gloom beyond
t I'D die for ii, SO | would, Pollyop.'
he cried, "Out with what you got ir
your bean, Poll an I'll listen, SO hell
me Godu"
1 Pollyop leaned heavily against him
painting. She was making an effort tC
tell him her plan. With a swift up
ward motion Of her head, she began Il
talk in broken tones and as she pro
ceeded, Larry Bishop raised Straightel
- in his chair.
$ polly'S voice trailed into silence
and Larry sent one hasty look over hel
4 head. The wrath smiled sadly nj hin
and was gone, He shook himself ant
struggled to his feet. Then Il broad
wicked grin spread his lips apart. ant
he laughed aloud. pollyop, still on tn,
T floor. laughed, too, hysterical sob.
{ catching ut her throat, and u desire I,