The Lamar register., 1922-03-15
tCopyrishr by Little. Brown s. Compsn1
CONTINUED from Page Two)


books under his eye while still the
strong hand of his companion held up
the curtain and the girl.
"Ah, here 1t ls," came In exclama-
tion. 'Therel Thanks, Bobl Now
I'll sit down a minute"
He walked back to the table, and
Perciyal carefully dropped the drap-
cries. Keeping his eye on the other
mans back, he ran his fingers over
the curtain until he came to the curly
head Of Polly Hopkins. Two tender
pats fell upon It, Then he, too, crossed
to the center of the room.
You're hospitable chap, Bob"
laughed Marcus. "Heigh-ho! but to-
day I've been some busy. I'll bet you
a quarter of dollar 1t won't be three
months before get every squatter OF
that shore. The fact of 1t is, I've only
got to catch Hopkins. and the rest'll
be easy. He's bad actor; and that
girl OF his is a saucy baggage"
"She's very good girl" Robert in
terposed In deep tones, 'and very pret-
ty. too
The bookcase draperies moved ever
SO little. Polly Hopkins almost burst
with Joy when she heard those words.
Pretty enough, suppose" Marcus
conceded. but not good. She's like
the rest-bad clean through
The curtains moved 4 little more:
and Robert caught the sway of them
out OF the tail Of his eye. He felt that
II Mackenzie did not go soon, he would
ha Ufr
do II Marc started TRADE against her
father, Robert did not dare contem-
plate.
Look mere, Marc" he burst forth,
you're all wrong about those people.
all dead wrong. They don't harm any
one, as can see. Why can't you live
and let liver
His eyes flashing. Marcus stood up.
mo harm. no harm. you say" he
fared. "Why. they steal everything in
sight, and in a few more years there
won't be fish left In the lake. There
won't be anything to catch In season
or out, II the squattsrs keep up their
Internal poaching. Hunting and fish
Ing are for gentlemen, my dear Bob
Don't forget thatT'
"Gentlemen be d-dW calculated
Robert, and then the curtains swayed
SO that he got to his feet and started
toward the door.
Marc" he continued. perhaps we
can't agree on this matter at all but
l really do want u hsart-to-heart talk
with you about 1t. But not nowl The
fact Is 1 was busy when you came
in"
thinking up u 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 a Hopkins does. and when / get
something Oh 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
chuckled 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
wrinkled and tears standing thick in
her eyes
'Tm a-goin' after that pup an swat
him." she hissed stormily. He lies
when he says my daddy's scamp"
Percival 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 snatched 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 ne
pressed her head against his breast.
Polly. Pollyop," he whispered KISS
ing her hair. "Oh, God, II I owned that
lake property Fd-rd-"
A certain deep tone In his voice
brought up Pollyops 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 queer fish, Eve" laughed
Mackenzie. as he came into the music
room where Evelyn Robertson was