The Lamar register., 1922-04-19


Pollyop shifted uneasily.
'Mebbe you could get Old Marc 10
say could take Jerry 10 Auhu. n,
them" she venturel. "Jerry'l die I
he don't see his daddy He's getiin'
thinner an thinner every day. He's
been yelling like mad all mornin'"
Evelyn pondered ON this an instant.
''Yes, I could dn tl'ur. I'm sure she
answered smiling broadly. ia love
to do il, too
The forlnrn drcnp nj tie corners
of Polly's mouth disappeared.
"Mebhe. If could get something TO
wear" she hesita'ed.
1t had never occurred to Miss I;nh-
ertson how PoIlyop managed for cloth.
ing She had so much herself she was
blind TO Hnother's need; but, as she
had come to demand favor then per-
haps she had better offer as much as
she could.
polly" she CALCULATED, you've been
awfullv good TO me. and you can have
any one of my dresses you want. and
keep II too. And I'll persuade Mr..
Mackenzie To get you II permit To 20
To Auburn"
Polly felt her heart grow big. Then,
after all. she could take Wee Jerry to
his daddy
Il s'spose-I s'spose." she hesitated,
trembling. you couldn't iell your cOus-
in" Her throat caught In sob but
she cleared II, and went on, Just tell
I'm Oscar wasn't my mun?'
Evelyn Robertson had often lived
over the horror OF the minutes WHEN
the shameful secret of her marriage
tu Oscar Bennett was so nearly dis
closed to Robert Perclyal. More than
once had she congratulated herself
upon the cleverness with which she
had avoided that danger. To he sure
her escape had been at the expense
of Polly's reputation. She regretted
the necessity but reasoned that good
name could not be much Of Il loss TO
squatter.
"Of course / couldn't do that" she
returned sharply. "Why-why should
you want"
The squatter girls gaze lifted to
the speakers face. and tears welled
over the fringed lids. Then Evelyn
Etdu the tTulh anu Ler eyes Bhhteu
and narrowed.
"Merciful Heavens. you're In love
with my cousin?" she exclaimed. is
that what you meanT'
The brown head fell forward, and
hame-hot face was hidden In the
chestnut curls.
"And he loves you, too" cried Ev-
elyn, in disdain. "What u fool | was
not to discover that beforei How per
fectly awful That's what has been
the matter with him for months"
She snatched Pollyop's arm and
shook her.
Its absolutely mad of you to think
of my cousin In that way" she cob-
tinued, her voice hoarse with fear.
Promise me again you'll never tell
him about Oscar?''
Pollyop shook her head.
1--WE never told nothin'; I've said
wouldn't" she replied thickly, almost
sullenly.
Then Evelyn smiled. The dimples
played hide and go seek at the cor
neds OF her lovely mouth. The steely-
blue CLINT faded from her eyes. leav-
ing them the color Of heavenly tints.
She was certain her secret was as safe
In the breast of Polly Hopkins as 1t
was In the heart Of the dead Oscar.
'You shall see your father" she
said, dropping her hand, "and you can
have any dress l have to wear. Come
up tonight, at seven. The folks will
be at dinner; and III slip out and bring
you In"
Then she went away, leaving Polly
Hopkins alternately plunged into the
depths of despair when she thought of
Robert Perciyal and singing with
gladness over the joy In store for
Wee Jerry and Daddy Hopkins.
1t was still broad day when Polly
Hopkins left Wee Jerry playing by
the waters edge with some squatter
youngsters and started for the Robert
son home. True to her word, Evelyn
met her In the grape arbor ut seven
and hastily led her up the back stairs
to her bedroom.
There are the closets" she said.
Take anything you like. Polly. but
hurry. The cooks In the kitchen. and
the other maids are busy. I'll go down
for fear someone will come to find me.
There's the dinner gong"
Once alone in the beautiful loom,
Polly's gaze swept Its broad dimen-