The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-04-07

Wnlle ROXY HOPKINS gazed at neE
hands locked together In her lap.
you can't tell me nothin' about Os.
car" she remarked at length. II know
the dirty duffer. an l don't know
nothin' good about him, you can bet
your boots on that She paused while
through the open doorway her eyes
were fixed upon fleecy cloud. high
up In the deep blue sky. but that
don't make no difference" she contin-
ued. If linked up with Oscar. would
that pup, Old Marc, let the squatters
stay In the Silent CityY
why, Polly, dear, of course he will !!
talked with Oscar last night, and I'll
speak to Mr.. Mackenzie just as soon
as you promise to do what Oscar
| wants"
Again the smiling face Of Robert
Percivaf cut across Polly Hopkins
mental vision, and through the silence
Of the shanty she head his voice-deep,
low and like music. Then the evil
face of Bennett wormed itself into her
mind. Her lids dropped, and she shud-
dered
Il couldn't do It, ma'am," she
walled. Il just couldn't do that |"
Evelyn arose and stood over her.
you must, Polly" she asserted
again. Good heavens. it's the chance
of your life OF course you'll do it,
Polly Hopkins. Take little time to
think 1t over. I'll bring Oscar to see
you some day when Mr.. Mackenzie
and my cousin Robert are away"
At the sound Of that beloved name,
Polly's head fell forward.
'Scoot now" she said, her curls hid
Ing her face. "plI think about it."
After Evelyn had gone, Polly me-
chanically resumed her sewing. 1t
seemed that her hearts joy had wholly
died within her. Patiently she tried
to turn her attention to the work in
her hands, but again and again she
caught herself sitting with idle fingers
Finally, worried by the conflicting
emotions that were crowding In upon
her. Polly flung herself into the open
and ran swiftly along the ragged rocks
to little glen where many time she
had been before. Here she waded
through the brook and sank down be-
side 1t. Mind-picture after mind-pic-
turc passed before her. She saw
Daddy Hopkins happy with Jerry in
the shanty, no longer afraid to fish
and hunt. Then she visioned the 81
lent City. safe at last, and saved by
her. Her head sank into her hands;
and sobs racked her slender body.
But 1t was not long before she sat |
up and tossed back her curls. 1t |
seemed as II she had heard a voice.
She turned her head slowly; and 10,
Robert Percivsl was standing across
the creek. smiling at her.
II followed you, Polly Hopkins" he
called. and springing across the water,
he added: you ran so fast lost you
at the corner Of the ragged rocks, and
It's taken me all this time to find you"
He sat down beside her and took her
hands; but Polly could not look up
1t him. Embarrassed beyond utter
ance, she withdrew her fingers, letting
hem fall listlessly. Robert laughed.
Her lovely face, first white then scar
ct. only told him that she was glad
% see him, and spoke of girlish inno-
.ence, dear to all men.
"You went away so suddenly the
,ther night" he ran on. 81 didn't have
chance to say half 1 wanted to. I
lad something for you. too, but
'ouldn't get away until today to bring
I down"
He pulled a little roll of paper from
lis pocket and handed 1t to her. Won
eringy she opened it. and there was
n exact reproduction of ''The Great
1T Mother in the World"
Polly was so overcome she contin-
ed silent.
Don't you like 1t, little PollyopT
ueried Robert. putting his fingers I'M
err her chin and raising her face to
is.
"Yepw she whispered. blushing.
Sure, sure do | love It,"
"Then why don't you smile7" he de-
handed; and as she shyly complied
18th his request he ran on: I've
,lked with Mackenzie, and he's so
ct Confound it, He makes me so
OF ! can scarcely listen to him. But,
oily dear, I'll do everything l can.
We got money and friends, as well as
e has. and I'll use 'em too. VIII you
ust me. sweet?"
She bowed her head in grateful as
mt. How she thrilled at the touch
the warm. white hapdl
"I.ook at me. dearie." he begged,
I'd. when she did flash him rosy
ance. he caught her to him. III love
VI. little girl" he whispered.
can loves the greatest thing in
haca. amt it?" she murmured In
emhling confusion.
"Yes yes" he breathed. Little
rl-oh. my littlest dear" >
His voice trailed away. and his pas II
pnate kisses made Polly Hopkins for II
I everything but him. Primeynl pas II
On rose within her. She had found II
r man. and nothing should take him II
pm her. II