Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-07-12
CHAPTER XIV.

-GOQ-Aimlgnty, fOiiJ DIdlt e1-
claimed Larry Bishop one evening.
"what made you come out night like
this, huh?"
The girl went to the stove and In
silence extended her hands over its top.
whats up, Pollyop7" the man de-
manded again, curiously, dropping into
chair. "You look something awful"
And so she did The Iong-lashed
eyes had gathered and held an indefin-
able expression Of hatred. The fair,
lovely face knew tender sympathy no
more. She was no longer Polly of the
Sun. For her that orb had become
merely ball in the sky, hot like the
stove and bright like the candle fame,
/ only more so. Nor did the pale winter
moon ever catch her dazzling smiles.
| The winking stars had forgotten weeks
ago that once a squatter girl had stolen
out nightly to throw upward kiss.
begging them to deliver 1t to the cruel
fed one there beyond them-the good
| Jesus who sat on the golden throne
and who had sent her the message by
Granny Hope that Love were strong
| er'n hate any day.
As usual her feet were In Jeremfahs
| boots. and as usual she wore his coat.
I Her eurls were covered with snow,
and as she studied the dark-faced man
she shook drops of water from them.
She advanced toward him, choking
with emotion. Since Wee Jerry had
gone, her hours, spent in planning re-
yenge, had completely exhausted her.
She was so tired that when she
reached Larry she crouched before
him on the floor and turned pale, be-
seeching face up to him.
1--WE come, Larry Bishop" she be-
gan gravely, ito ask you TO help me to
even up a little with Old Marc"
The squatters head went up, and a
startled expression shot into his fierce
eyes. Then he sank lower in his chair,
and the fire died out of his eounte-
nance.
"Who can get even with that d-n
brute?" he muttered after a while.
"Squatters can't We'd all go to Au-
burn If we muss up him or his'n."
A white young face showed so close
to his that Bishop drew back.
"Who cares d--n about Auburn
Pollyop exclaimed roughly. eve won't
go there till we've tore Old Mares
heart to pieces an made it hurt like
yours does, Larry. like mine does for
Jerry an Daddy Hopkins. Wouldn't
you be wilIin To spend a few years In
Jail If you could make him howl an 60
almost mad like me an you have,
Larry?"
Bishop looked beyond her head into
a dark corner. 1t was in that spot ne
often imagined he saw the wrath Of
his woman. His unsteady regard set
tied; and the ghost woman rose mist
lily, gazing at him with unearthly eyes.
Then the pale unsmiling phantom ex-
tended her arms and within them APP
peared frail infant.
"GodI" burst from his lips like q
shot from gun.
Pollyop glanced backward over her
shoulder. Bur the shudder that ran
over him brought her haggard face
hack to his
Amt your heart hurtin' something
awful for your Betty woman an your
brat now, this very minuteT she
Queried abruptly. as il she. too, had
seen the CHASTITY thing in the corner
God, yesl" he shivered, taking firm
hold of his chin to hide the tremble Of
1t.
She seized his arm viselike, the grip
drawing a groan from the squatter.
San wouldn't you just love to see
Old Mare twist an squirm like a
stepped-On baby snake. huhf' came In
one long. sobbing breath.
Again the shifty look of the tortured
man came to rest on the gloom beyond.
I'D die for 1t, so l would, Pollyop,"
he cried. "Out with what you got In
your bean. Poll; an I'll listen. so help
me Godr
Pollyop leaned heavily against him,
painting. She was making an effort to
tell him her plan. With q swift up
ward motion of her head, she began to
talk In broken tones; and as she pro-
ceeded, Larry Bishop raised straighter
In his chair.
Pollys voice trailed into silence;
and Larry sent one hasty look over her
head. The wrath smiled sadly at him
and was gone. He shook himself and
struggled to his feet. Then broad,
wicked grin spread his lips apart, and
he laughed aloud. Pollyop. still on the
floor. laughed, too, hysterical sobs
catching at her throat, and desire to
scream forcing her hands to her
mouth. Such awful sounds were un-
usual in the Silent City, where even
honest mirth was no longer heard be-
cause the men and women scarcely
dared breathe for fear an enemy from
Ithaca would suddenly appear.
GLORY be to Cod" calculated the
man, hoarsely. "that's the how Of 1t.
brat Itll be a whack for my dead
woman, an"
"An' a good whack for the Hopkins
tribe. too" cried Polly. scrambling up.