The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-03-23

Robert. and then the curtains swayed
~ that be got 10 his feet and started
toward the door.
Mare" be continued. perhaps We
can't agree on this matter at all, but
really do want heartto-heart tails
with you about Il. But not now The
fact is | was busy when you came
in"
Thinking up q few more pleas for
the squatters, chr" the other man
teased. well. old fellow. just remem-
ber this. I've got at least twenty-five
men watching everything that scamp
Of Hopkins does, and when ] get
something on him. there won't be TWEEN
ty-four hours between that time and
his arrest"
Robert almost showed the speaker
out of the door. but Marcus only
chuekled good-naturedly as he went
away. When Robert turned the key
In the lock. he stood quite still, breath.
ing hard.
From behind the curtain, Polly
thrust out her head, her small face
wrlnkled and tears standing thick In
her eyes.
"Im a-goin' after that pup an swat
him." she hissed stormily. HE lies
when he says my daddy's a scamp"
Perciyal lifted a precautionary hand.
"Not too loud" he warned. Come
here" She went slowly forward, her
head hanging; but when he held out
his hands she snstched them and bent
her curly head over the strong fingers
and kissed them passionately.
"Poor little girl, poor little Polly"
murmured Robert, brokenly. Then as
she swayed toward him. his arms went
around her, and for moment he
pressed her head against his breast.
polly. Pollyop." he whispered, kiss
ing her hair. "Oh, God, II | owned that
lake property Td--rd-"
A certain deep tone In his voice
brought up Pollyop's head, and she
saw In his eyes an expression that
made her struggle from his arms.
Fleeing TO the porch window, she was
gone before Robert could stop her.
'Bob's a queer fish. Eve" laughed
MaeK enzle. as he came into the music
room where Evelyn Robertson was
waiting for him. "If hadn't kept my
temper tust now, we should have
parted had friends"
"That's like you, dear" she smiled.
"Rut then. Of course. you wouldn't let
him bother you Fusslne about the
sauatters again. suppose"
Evelyn took his big fingers in her
hand ana occupied herself in examn-
ing the white spots on one of the pol
ished nails.
my hig man mustn't mind Bobs. '
she exclaimed persuasively, noting the
frowning lines that had come In his
face. Hes sentimental, Robert Is
fun of hplf-bal,ed notions about broth
erly love and helping the downtrodden
and thai sort of thing"
The mnn laughed lndulgently. II
delighted him to have the girl of his
choice express his own sentiments so
well
"You precious I" he murmured.
"They can't fool my Eve much, can
they2" BY a simple twist Of his wrist
he captured her hand. Then he took
up a fayorite topic with new zest
II want TO improve my property, dear.
The Silent City's an eyesore If ]
could get the squatters of the lake
side and buy the Bennett farm, could
make my place the handsomest In the
county"
AT the suggestion about Oscars
farm, q different light aashed into
the girls eyes. Her hand twitched In
his.
THAT would be wonderful. dear"
she calculated. "If-if the squatters
weren't there, you could make very
lovely drive right along where their
road runs. couldn't your
This had been MacKenzie's idea,
also. What a capable girl Eve wasi
He took her pretty face between his
hands aud kissed her once ana then
again and again.
"You darlingi !" he murmured.
you're the wisest little woman in the
world My whole ambition Is 70 make
our home just to suit you. ] was talk
ing to one Of those landscape chaps
up az the college the other day. and
be said the lake section could be made
charming We can build cur house
On the hin just above therei" -
And the farm" Evelyn interposyd.
"that would just round out your p1ce
perfectly. on. honey. do that rtrht
sway Mr. Bennett viii ask more<for
q a. soon as you get rid of the squat.
ters.~
Marcus lighted a cigarette thought
fully
The Bennett farm wouldn't be- ~
any use 70 me- ne explained slowly.
''unless I can make clean sweep ~
The whole thing Is crime ! tel
you. Evelyn. Thiuk q e., had 70