Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-06-15
CHAPTER v-continued.
s.

II wanted to Tess up to you this
morning, Poll" Oscar ran on. "It's
Q funny thing. but I reckon care
more for your little finger than for
Ewes whole body. Maybe some day
after ! get all her cash, -"
Polly coughed down lump that
persisted In coming up In her throat.
"You aeedn't spiel lovin's to me. Os-
cas-" she gulped. IAN I believe In be-
In honest. So. before your woman
comes. might as well give you bit
Of sny nind. II owned you from your
cap to .onr boots. I wouldn't use you
for dcormat In front Of Daddy's
shanty!"
He shoe Iook Of amn1ement. The
confident smile faded from his face.
and his lips saGgc'l at the corners.
Then be. arose to hIs feet.
Il b~en thinking about you all day"
he ernke forth. "You've got every
thsns,-lpoks. action and brains. I
want ySu. P"ilyop and Tn going to
Hiss you this time. 30 help me God!'
He took a step toward her and Polly
scrambied np. Just at that moment
Evelyn Robertson entered. Oscar Ben
nett turs'd swiftly. and Polly. very
paiA place! herself at Ewes side. And
% the wind foamed the lake to fury
aoc shook Granny Hopes forsaken lit
- eut. the man and two girls stood
silesf long. tense minute.
Then Oscar smiled at Evelyr. Q tri-
uvuphant. insulting smile.
"So you thought 1t best to mind me,
my lady" he laughed. II guess after
while you'll come to know I mean
what say"
Eve tried to speak but could not.
Polly squeezed her arm encouragingly.
you're a mean duffer. Oscar" she
thrust In. "Your woman's scared Of
you, that's all. Try bein' better. an
see how she likes It,"
"she's got n good right to be d-d
scared" grunted Bennett. "Now out
with 1t. Eve. What's the rumpus? You
fsven't sent me u cent for n month"
With shaking fingers Evelyn pushed
back her wind-blown hair.
II couldn't get any money, Oscar"
she walled. "A1y allowance is all gone.
gave every cent OF It to you. You
know very well mother won't give me
any more"
She had one card left to play. and
she hoped 1t would take the trick.
81 might as well tell you," she con-
tInued. the steel In her eyes wiping
away the blue. Mother hasn't any
money. All thought we had belongs
10 Cousin Bob"
She ceased speaking and waited an
instant to note how her news struck
her husband. He flung up clenched
ast.
"The devil take you. Eve! !" he cried.
Don't try to put anything over on me
like that. You're the biggest liar In
Tompkins county"
That he partly believed her showed
IN his manner.
sid never "a married you II I'd
known that two years ago" Oscar as
serted hoarsely. "You can be dead
certain Of that. my lady. You were
pretty careful to keep your money
troubles to yourself. Sit down. both of
you! You're shivering like two cats"
Impulsively Evelyn went toward him.
"Oh. Oscar. listen. listen to me-" she
sald. trying to steady her voice. II
want to be free. can't, can't live
this way any longer"
A coarse oath fell from Benefits
lips.
"You don't need to-" he shouted.
You got q home to come tony
home. You can do the work my old
mothers doing. It's your job. not hers.
You're my wife. BY ginger. and as
Daid to Poalyop here, you live with me.
q 700 pay up. I don't give q tinksr's
d-a which you do"
His voice grew deep as he finished,
and an evil. taunting smile drew up
~ tipA Dvseya ahsddsrsd and swaysd,