The Belding banner-news., 1922-03-01

10 the Drown or ner Dure reef. NO, nc
had not made a mistake In summing
her up that morning.
"You better hadn't" he growled,
without lnterrupting his work. IL sup
pose YOU brought me some fool mes
sage from her, eh?" Having finished
the COW, he rose and stood with the
hrimming pail of milk. in his hand.
"She sent you. didn't she?'
Polly hesitated moment, coughed
and cleared her throat.
"A little milk for Jerry, please" she
suggested, extending her can.
Bennett snatched 1t from her hand.
Good God, you squatters're nothing
but beggars," he grumbled but be-
cause he was eager 10 get her message,
he filed the pail full. Smilingly Polly
took ii back.
I'm thankin' you. Oscar" she
gurgled. IAN now mebbe a fresh egg
for Granny Hope?"
He made an angry motion with his
hand.
Up in that box" he snapped "Then
toll what you came for. What'd Eye
say?"
"Your woman sent word by me-" she
hegan--
Tel ii. and don't be all day about
IT," ordered the farmer.
Pollyop took Il couple of steps back
ward toward the door, ready to fly If
Oscar showed any signs of unusual
wrath.
"She said you wasn't to write her
any more letters" she replied "She's
awful scared She trembed all over
when she told me"
'What did she say about money!
Bennett demanded gruffly.
Through the dim light Of the Ian
tern. Polly looked at him rleadlngly.
"She just can't get another cent"
she returned. IAN she's feelin' terrible
bad about IT,"
Although he had not finished his
task, Bennett jumped mp from his
stool. and one step took him very close
to the nervous young speaker.
'She can't eh?" he cried. "She
means she won't, guess. BY God, she
will, or I'll come out with the whole
thing. You go and tell her so. She's
cot rich folks. and | didn't marry her
10 keep quiet all my life. Tell her
either she comes home here TO me
or she pays up. If she pays" he
paused, then laughed. "Oh. YOU need
Mt look as If I was goin' TO swat You
one, Pollyop," he went on, but as
WAS sayin', if she pays up and / get
rid Of her, then--me for you, Polly
Hopkins"
His voice was harsh. and his man
ners rough. Polly retreated to the
threshold
"The times here Oscar went ON,
"when both you women will be leap
ing 10 my CAD. There Get home and
say to my lady just what ! said"
again he broke off, only to continue,
"leaving out The part about YOU. See,
Pollyop?"
Dumb with dread Polly sagged
weakly against the door casing. No
wonder Evelyn Robertson didn't want
10 live with such a man!
"And you eau tell her to come to-
night at nine o'clock. to Granny Hopes
old shack" he proceeded. IL want 10
talk to her Now get along and don't
come~around after any more milk. or
I'll throw you out of the barn"
Glad TO be gone. Polly passed out 10
the lane. In little ravine AT her left
a noisy stream rumbled down the hill.
With vistfu eyes she watched II
through the fast gathering dusk flow
away to the lake 1t was then she saw
something moving about In small
pool OF water in a rock basin. Care
fully she put the milk and eggs on
bit of smooth turf. Down the bank
she slipped and there In the falling
gloom, struggling I'm the water, was a
baby lamb. Pollyop tucked her skirts
up about her waist and waded into the
water. Several times she fell, and.
dripping wet, scrambled up again.
When she pulled the lamb to the bank,
she dropped to the ground. gasping
for breath.
"Poor little duffer," she murmured.
"You was most gone. wasn't you?
NOllt VII llblut VIII VllgOp uh ktl
loved up a bitl"
In the road she picked up the pail,
slipped the eggs into the milk and
went swiftly down the lane, the lamb
under one arm. Polly's heart sang
with gladness. Out Of the rigors of
the Storm country. out of the cold
ravine water, she had found another
little thing to care for.
Jeremiah Hopkins and Larry Bishop
were In the shack when Polly arrived
with her burdens. With much pride
she. displayed the lamb; then she fed
him a portion of the milk with a spoon.
While she was preparing the evening
meal, she Invited her fathers friend to
take potluck with them.
After supper she settled her family.
Wee Jerry she tucked into Daddy's
bed. and Granny Hope was made com
Portable In chair by the stove, where
she soon nodded on to sleep. Then.