Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-07-06


aaished. But IN see that it's mighty
noon.v
Mrs. Robertsons daughter was In
. brown study before the IRE when
tAat lady came into the room. q few
nainutes later.
~Hfarc went early tonight. didn't be.
nFe7' she Questioned. as she dropped
Into a chair.
HE had to 60 and meet someone
about those tiresome sQuatters." Eve
explained. Tn sick Of the sound Of
tAsir names. Marcus says II be can't
81 rid Of them, hen leave ithaca"
A step In the hall closed the con-
~versation for the time being. and =
moment later Robert Pereival Joined
them. In silence Mrs. Robertson
studied his face. She wondered what
had changed him so ~perceptibly In the
last little while. He looked almost
haggard to her searching eyes. She
was about to question him as to his
health when the young man turned to
Evelyn.
Eve, dear" he began hesItatlng1y.
Il want something done very badly,
and perhaps you can accomplish 1t
for me-
A lazy smile stole to Evslyn's lips.
"And you know. Bob. TIL do II
n i can" she responded. TEL me
what's on your mind. honey"
Certainly; why. yes. indeed" inter-
jected Mrs. Robertson. "You know,
Bob. Eve and I win do anything we
can for your
The expression Of anxiety. which his
face had worn since he had seen the
last Of Polly Hopkins, lifted a little.
THAT'S finer he exclaimed heartily.
There's nothing like a fellows own
women folks. is there3 And you're
just as good to me as IL / belonged to
you"
Mrs. Robertson bridled consciously,
pleased with her nephew and pleased
with herself.
~Why. Robert, dear" she returned,
you do belong to us. God bless you,
boy. you're my baby and Ewes little
brother. Now tell us what's botherIng
you"
TITS Mares row with the sQuatters !
] can't get the poor devils out Of my
mind. Eve, can't you get him to leave
the settlement people alone? I'd let
them have some of my land, but 1t
doesn't touch the lake. and they
couldn't make q living on it."
Evelyn arose and crossed the room
70 the table. She had not expected
this. Her promise to Mackenzie
aashed into her mindi
Il don't like interfering with Mares
business, Bob" she demurred. "Be-
sides, he wants to improve the prop
aFfy down there, and he can't while
the fishermen stay on the shorew
Gently, for Robert had always been
like q younger brother to her, and she
laved him dearly, Evelyn explained
MaeKenEie's plans and showed how
anapossible 1t was for her. under the
circumstances. to interfere with them.
Tiaen she crossed to his side and bent
ever him.
Robert, dear" she begged. Forget
about the squatters. They aren't any.
thing special to youi" To head on an
objection that she saw in his eyes, she
hurried on: They're poor and unfor-
tuaate, I know. I'm sorry for them.
We ell are but you can't deny they're
worthless and filthy, and worst Of all,
fAsy haven't any right to be where
they are. You won't let them come be-
tween you and Marc and me. wifi
your
Without giving the man q chance to
answer. Mrs. Robertson interrupted :
mercy, Eve, why Of course he
wOn'ti Marc win soon be one of the
family. People Of our social standing
dent wrangie over such cattle as the
sQuatters." She turned smilingly to
the young man and ended sweetiy (:
You feel that way. don't you, Bobfr
Disregarding beth the lady and her
question, Robert got up. his Lips grim
and his fine brow corrugated with
lines. Evelyn and Marcus could do ID
they pleased: he would take his stand
right there.
stEvelyn,' he said slowly, II should
be sorry to have anything come be.
tween us. You've always been like a
dear sister to me. I suppose It's nat.
ural and right for you to see this the
way Marc does. You're engaged ia
him. but you can tell him for me I'm
golng to help the squatters any way
and every way / can"
Too angry 70 Ilstan to any more ar.
gsmehts. he pushed his chair to one
SIDE and left the room.
Mrh. Robertson looked daggers al
her daughter and as soon as she could
Get her breath, broke ont:
"N0w. Evelyn, see what a storm
you've stirred upl Why didn't you use
. little diplomacy That was the least
ysu could hars done. You ret Marc
sna Bob BY the Ears. and wherein yos
Aefs
s0hi I dent know / don't Ea0w r
moaned Evelyn. @Don't talk to ms
any more. I'm Just about crazy. IN
aefns to bedi Good nightFe
chAeTER TX.
a.h a. $3.50 -