Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-05-25
CHAPTER xI.-cOntInued.

Il don't know" she whispered. "But
he looks sol"
POllyop showed Evelyn aside and
slipped her arm under Benefits head.
She seemed to have lost all aversion to
him. She realized then only that a
human being was suffering, perhaps
dead. At her tender touch the mans
eyes flew open; and, panic-stricken,
Pollyop withdrew her arm and was
back beside the other girl before she
spoke.
Hes got life in him, Miss Eve" she
chartered between her teeth. "LOok
at his eyes God, amt 1t awful"
Quietly Oscar lay gazing at the girls
as they stared at him. Polly was the
dTst to go to him.
Feel awful sick, eh, Oscar?" she
asked in low tone.
The man did not answer even by a
movement Of his lids.
HE can't talk" she went on, look
ing around at Evelyn. HE ought to
have doctor. Can't you 60 up to the
boulevard an get Doc Bacon2"
A fresh burst of tears so choked
Evelyn Robertson that for a space she
could not answer.
mo, / can't so out In this awful
storm again." she finally replied. "Of
course, can't" she repeated, swal-
lowing. 'Tm afraid. I won't go! I
won't take step. If any one goes"
'4Then stay by him." interjected
Polly, duly, "an' I'll go"
Ashamed to declare that she was
afraid to be left alone with Oscar,
Evelyn watched Pollyop as she went
out and softly closed the door behind
her.
Polly Hopkins fingered several mo-
ments to accustom her eyes to the
nights blackness. Beyond to the east
Lake Cayuga rushed on toward Ithaca
as if its intentions were to swallow the
little town in one huge mouthful. Pol
lyop crooned over mechanically words
which fell hourly from Granny Hope
ASK an it shall be given thee" she
whispered. "Then if that's so, let me
get some one to help Oscar"
Through the clatter Of the elements
she heard the sound of footsteps off in
the dark road. An answer to her
prayer was about to step out Of the
night gloom. She hoped it was Larry
Bishop or Lye Braeger. Opening her
lips, she gave the weird crying, squat
ter-call of the Storm country; and a
voice that clutched at her heart an
swered her.
Then, by the next flash Of jagged
lightning, she saw Robert Percival
coming toward her.
rs that you, Polly" he called.
"What's the matter?"
"Yep," she faltered timidly. II got
some one sick in the shanty."
OF all the people she had expected
to see, he was the last. AS she waited
for him to approach, Pollyop's active
mind grasped the fact that now Robert
would know what his cousin had done.
She saw no way to keep him in ig-
norance of Evelyn's relation to Oscar,
and she was too excited to think of an
excuse to keep him outside.
"Pollyop," commenced Robert, II
had to see you If only for few min
utes. Wait a second before you go
in"
Confused and agitated, the girl did
not stir step until he was bending
over her. One arm went around her
shoulders, one tender hand pressed her
head against his breast,
"Daddy's gone!" she choked almost
inaudibly. They've took him to Au-
burn, huh?"
Eyes, dear child" answered Robert,
his own throat full with emotion.
"But what came to tell you is this,
dear. I've already set things moving
to bring him back. l couldn't sleep to-
night until l saw you"
A long shudder ran the length Of
Polly's body; her legs grew SO weak
she would have fallen but for the
strong arms holding her up.
u want him awful bad" came up In
a breath to the pale young man.
"And say, Polly dear, that he's
coming home" repeated Robert, "and
every day ! want you to expect him.
VIII you trust me, darling"
He had asked her that question
once, but that was before Old Marc
had railroaded Daddy Hopkins to Au-
burn.
"Will you, PollyopT" urged Robert
passionately, lifting her face and lay
ing his warm lips on hers.
With swift-coming breaths she flung
both arms around his neck.
"I1l trust you every day an all
dayi' She hesltated and turned her
head. A sound in the hut had fright
ened her. She knew Robert had heard
it, too, for he reached out his hand 10
open the door.
wen 60 In" said he, taking her
arm and gathering both Of her hands
into his.
By a sudden movement, Polly
pushed him backward.
"Td rather you'd make of" she told
him, unsteadily. "Mebbe can find
squatter."
enc NV dearD returned Robert.