The Raymer enterprise., 1922-06-22
CHAPTER WI,

| INV iIlilAbiHliitS VA tAit s1iAIhl ~. 'i'''
with nothing to comfort them but
Polly Hopkins. Scarcely an hour
/ passed without strangers walking over
the rough road through the settlement
and every one knew that these men, so
curious and yet so unwilling to speak
even "gnod-day," were doing service
for Marcus Mackenzie.
At last one day. crushed with ap-
prehension and despair. Jeremiah
Hopkins decided that one of them
should 20 TO Robert PercIyal 10 ask
his aid in keeping the settlement to-
sether. Polly was 50 sure he would
keep his word TO her--now they would
give him the chance.
ITS choice Of the three Of you.
Poll" said Lye Braegcr, "you or your
daddy or Larry Bishop"
"iIe wouldn't listen 10 me, lassIe."
Hopkins mourued, "Mchbe he would
| TO you. dunno. but mcbbe."
Before the girls sensitive mind
| flashed the face of Robert. and she hid
her red cheeks against the speakers
knee.
"Oh. couldn't never 90 TO I'm,
Daddy honey" she nurmured please,
! Daddy"
I'VE amt got u chHnre without
some ones help, POM Insisted Hrae.
ger. "fou 90 along. nn' do your d-dcSt
for the squntters. :"
"All right. Lye." she managed 10 say.
IN 20 after Jerry's in bed. an the
supper's over"
So It came to pass that n!glitall
found Polly Hopkins struggling mp the
hin TO The railroad tracks. She turned
south on the boulevard and stole eau.
iluusly along the edge Of the road.
She had no desire to meet Old Mare
or Evelyn. As she went on she mur-
INJURED TO herself some OF the love
words Granny Hope had planted In
her memory. and when she turned Into
the carriugeway lending to the Rob
erls0n home. she held her head little
higher and walked with less nervous
ness.
Around and around the house she
crept. until with trepidation she
mounted the steps leading to the front
porch aud tiptocd 10 a long French
window II was partly open and there,
seated before table, was the man she
sought
Polly knocked once, but the sound
was so faint Robert did not hear II.
'"I!ist." came from between Pollys
lips, and the young man glanced up.
At the sight Of her he got to his feet
slowly. Then Polly showed the win
dow open crack and squeezed into
the room.
A strnnge mixture Of conflicting ex-
prcssIons swept over his face, but
pleasure at the sight of her prcdomi.
mated them all.
"Pollyop" he exclaimed. "Polly
Hopkins, what's the mntterI"
"Old Mares goin to turn us all ont,
mister" she whispered huskily, search.
Ing his face. "an' Daddy sent me TO
ask you to help u.s.
Robert drew one hand across his
brow helplessly.
"l've said everything could to
make him understand the crime OF II
all. he apologized Hes like a crazy
man! can't see how he can think of
such thing, even though your peo-
pie were willing TO go, Polly"
I'VE amt; we can't 60" she replied,
qulvering. "There amt place in the
world for squatters but the Silent
City"
II know IT," he returned gloomily.
"And can't Love do nothin' for us?"
implored the girl. Granny Hope says
1t can, an once IL heard you say
twas the-the-"
Just at that moment the sound of
footsteps was heard outside In the hall.
Robert thrust out his hand. grasped
Polly by the shoulders, and In another
moment she found herself behind the
thick curtain hanging In heavy folds
over rows of books which rose to the
ceiling.
The door opened; and Percival spun
around to meet Marcus Mackenzie.
He crushed down his embarrassment
and offered his visitor chair.
Evelyn sent me for a book" Mar.
Gus explained. Pardon me for dis
turbing you. old chap"
"Sit down." Robert requested with
nm effort.
Marcus shook his head
II can't" he replied. Eve and
are confabing over something. l told
her I'd get a book and come right
back"
He made a movement to walk to-
ward the book shelves; but Robert
stoned him.