The Lamar register., 1922-04-26

over and over and looked at it. Her
name was on it: so it must be meant
for her to read. a thrill of pleasure
ran over her. Perhaps Robert had
sent her a word of forgiveness. He
night have written that some day he
ouid come again.
with sparkling anticipation she cut
open the envelope and by the light of
the candle spelled out Its contents.
Dear Polly" she read. II couldn't
manage that trip to Auburn. So sorry.
"E."
Polly looked DULY at the paper, the
words running into black smudgy
lines. Then she could not go to Daddy
Hopkins after all; and Jerry might
die! Old Marc had once more laid his
powerful hand upon her. Overcome
with grief, she wept while. Then
she took the dress from under the
pillow, rolled 1t carefully in a clean
cloth and put 1t away.
The shock of Evelyn's cold note
brought back the shadows to Pollyop's
brown eyes. As the days passed slow
ly by, and the rich girl did not come
to the shack again, Polly lost all hope
of seeing her father.
Her decision to go to Auburn in spite
Of Old Marc followed letter that she
received from Daddy Hopkins. He
was very lonely. he said. He was
counting off each day as so many hours
nearer the time when he could see his
dear children. With the picture of
Daddy's loneliness stamped in misery
on her mind came the thought that no
one had the right to keep Jerry from
his father.
From the time she conceived this
idea, 1t never left her thoughts. She
had often stolen rides on the Lehigh
Valley train from Ithaca to the Silent
City and dropped OF where the engine
took switch while the Buffalo Spe-
cial dashed by. Why could she not
steal ride clear to Auburn?
While the squatter girl was making
arrangements to carry out this
mighty plan. preparations for the
Mackenzie Robertson wedding were
going rapidly forward. Evelyn. happy
In her new love. untroubled by sym
pathy for the dead Oscar, passed the
days mostly at dressmakers and In
the shops. Her contentment would
have been complete II her cousin Rob
ert had not looked so sad, or II she
could have rid herself Of the sense Of
responsibility for his unhappiness.
But hoping in her flippant way that
all nm af ha
married. she gave little heed to him
and none at all to Polly Hopkins.
Early one morning Polly hoped
quickly out of bed and after q break
fast of bread and beans. began to dress
Jerry In the best he had. The day
was chilly, and a fine rain drtzzled
over the lake.
Pollyop wrapped Granny Hopes
old shawl around the little boy and
the child, satisfied with his sisters
assurance that he was going to see
his father. sat on the cot wide-eyed,
watching her in silence.
Polly combed her hair and washed
her face and hands. Billy-goat Hop
kins was In his place Mt the wood-box
eating handful of oats she had
CLEANED for him along the roadside.
Polly wished that she might take him.
too, but as long as she could not, Billy
should have better feed than usual.
After everything else was attended
to, she unwrapped the silken dress
and put It on. Her bare feet showed
from under the hem. but she had de-
cided she looked better without the
boots, and as she stood gazing at her
self up and down, she regretted that
she had not asked Evelyn for pair Of
shoes too. Being careful not to soil
her skirt, she knelt and allowed Jerry
to climb on her shoulders.
The moment she stood outside the
shanty in the rain. she shivered. The
damp air nipped at her uncovered
arms and neck. To travel the long dis
tance to the station. so lily covered,
was out of the question. and the gown
would be drenched through In a few
minutes. She turned back into the
shack and placed Jerry on the cot.
Jerry wants to see Daddy Hop
kins," the child whimpered. "Ain't we