The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-06-01

When he nhd gwen hls ofasfs 70 tht
servant who appeared az the door. he
sank back into a chair. and Mrs Rob
ertson went swiftly out.
Utterly oblivious OF the squattei
girls presence. Marcus Mackenzie
buried his face in his hands The new
Pollyop. the Polly Of the sun, crept
forward and touched him.
"Your woman's all right, she said
huskily. Don't cry She told me
about about the little Kid a-eomin in
the summer. an she howled like mad
to come along with me But | says to
her she couldn't walk all this way TO
you without dyin',"
The soft tones vibrated sympathe.
tically as she voiced the assurances.
Mackenzie thrust up his hand and
clutehed the slim brown fingers.
''Tell me something about IL while
we're alone, he whispered.
Pollyop shuddered.
swell, sir" she began, so low that
Mackenzie had TO raise his head TO
hear, "all the squatters hate you, but
none OF 'em was wicked like me.
said, | did, that you couldn't be hurt
no way only through your woman, an
an was goin' to cut her head OF
with the ax an then sling 'er In the
lake. ! spose I'm goln' TO get sent up
for years. but just had TO come and
tell you"
Before Mackenzie, aghast at the
danger his dear one had faced, could
answer, Mrs. Robertson entered. fol-
lowed by Evelyn's maid.
"Tu get my coat" exclaimed Mar
Gus, jumping up. Dress the girl warm
and send along Eyelyn's fur motor
coat"
A furtlye smile curled the maids
lips as she helped pull of Jeremiah's
heavy coat. and then grew broader
as Pollyop slipped out of Daddy's
great boots. Yet the woman admitted
to herself as she dried the wet feet
and attired the squatter girl In her
mistress beautiful clothes that she
was pretty, even prettier than Mrs.
Mackenzie.
When the robing process was in-
ished, Mrs. Robertson glanced over the
little figure and grudgingly aeknowl
edged to herself that there was some
thing OF elegance In the girls bearing,
even II she were squatter.
"Come here p she said A naughty
gesture Indicated the spot Right
here before me-"
Polly's shaking legs carried her
within few inches OF the august
presence.
you're very sure, girl" asked Mrs.
Robertson, that my daughters safe
in your shacki How did she come
thereT
Polly remembered Larry Bishop and
Lye Braeger. She had been lnstru-
mental In bringing them within the
prison shadows, and II any one suffered
from the deed done that night 1t must
not be her friends. She alone must
take the blamel
II wheedled 'er there, ma'am." she
replied humbly I'm goln to tell her
man all about IT,"
Marcus entered and started back as
he caught sight Of Polly. How beauti-
full she was, bedecked In his wlfe's
clothes Then II came 10 him that
even In her rags she had had dis
tinctiye loyeliness. Both Bob and Eve
yn-- As that precious name went
through his mind. his thoughts few TO
he squatter's hut where his frail young
wife awaited him.
"Come along quickly" he said, go
ng directly to Polly.
How changed he seemed, how gen
lie he was as he took hold OF her arm
md led her away; and so preoccupied
vas she with this thought that the
,eauty Of the clothes which she wore
made no impression upon her. She
wondered DULY when Mackenzie lifted ,
Ter bodily into the sleigh and the .
.oachman chirruped to the horses. just
What be Intended to do with her to-
morrow
She looked back upon the time the
authorities had sent Meg Williams to
reform school and also recalled the
iris homecoming after her term had !
zen served Now that she, herself, c
ras In danger Of the like treatment. /
'ollyop searched her mind for the de- (
ais that Meg bad given Of the hor- J
ible place
As the horses trotied along the bou- Il
syard. Pollyop's chin sank into the :,
arm fur about her neck, and until /,
hey turned into the narrow lane from !.
he road. no one spoke a word
go straight to the lake Hank.
rdered Mackenzie. and az the sound
( his deep voice Pollyop felt another
hook OF surprise. She had heard II Z
) often IN strident sbuse, Now # y
as actually pleasant 10 listen 70 Z
Down the hin through the furry
axes " snov the strong horses picked
3eir way. once the cutter nearly
Ined 0n Its side but righted Itself
he Hopkins hut was dark when they
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