Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-03-24

"POlly0p,' she began, catching hoi
breath, II just had to speak to you.
I'm going to be married to Mr.. Mcken-
zie. and | came to talk to you about 1t
and-and to bring the baby some
candy"
Her expression grave with surprise
Polly scrutinized her cOldly.
"Jerry'd rather have his Daddy
Hopkins than candy" she retOrted,
frowning.
Miss Robertson drew back a little,
shaking her head.
81 couldn't manage that, Tn afraid,
she said soberly, "but-"
Pollyop shifted uneasily.
"Mebbe you could get Old Mare to
say 1 could take Jerry to Auburn,
then?' she ventured. "Jerry1l die if
he don't see his daddy. He's gettin'
thinner an thinner every day. He's
been yelling like mad all mornin'."
Evelyn pondered on this an instant.
Eyes, l could do that, I'm sure" she
answered, smiling broadly. I'D love
to do it, too"
The forlorn droop at the corners
of Polly's mouth disappeared.
"Mebbe, if l could get something to
wear she hesitated.
1t had never occurred to Miss Rob-
ertson how Pollyop managed for cloth
ing. She had so much herself she was
blind to another's need; but, as she
had come to demand a favor, then per-
haps she had better offer as much as
she could.
"Polly," she CALCULATED, you've been
+ awfully good to me, and you can have
any one of my dresses you want, and
keep it too. And I'll persuade Mr..
Mackenzie to get you a permit to go
to Auburn"
Polly felt her heart grow big. Then,
after all, she could take Wee Jerry to
his daddy.
81 s'spose-I s'spOse," she hesitated,
trembling, you couldn't tell your ceus-
in" Her throat caught in a sob but
she cleared it, and went on, "just tell
i'm Oscar wasn't my man?'
Evelyn Robertson had often lived
over the horror of the minutes when
the shameful secret of her marriage
to Oscar Bennett was so nearly dis
closed to Robert P~ercival. More than
once had she congratulated herself
upon the cleverness with which she
had avoided that danger. To be sure
her escape had been at the expense
of POlly's reputation. She regretted
the necessity but reasoned that a good
name could not be much of a loss to
a squatter.
"Of course l couldn't do that" she
returned sharply. "Why-why should
you want"
The squatter girls gaze lifted to
the speakers face, and tears welled
over the fringed lids. Then Evelyn
read the truth and her eyes glinted
and narrowed.
"Merciful Heavens, you're in love
with my cousin?" she exclaimed. us
that what you mean?"
The brown head fell forward, and
a fame-hot face was hidden in the
chestnut curls.
and he loves you, too" cried Ev-
elyn, in disdain. what a fool 1 was
not to discover that before! How per-
fectly awful! That's what has been
the matter with him for months"
She snatched Pollyop's arm and
shook her.
ITS absolutely mad of you to think
of my cousin in that way" she con-
&;D.,nI 1ar. xroion hnorC0 Nth foon
promise me again you'll never tell
him about Oscar?',
Pollyop shook her head.
'Tve never told nothin'; I've said ]
wouldn't" she replied thickly, almost
sullenly.
Then Evelyn smiled. The dimples
played hide and go seek at the cor
neds of her lovely mouth. The steely'
blue CLINT faded from her eyes, leav-
ing them the color of heavenly tints
She was certain her secret was as safe
in the breast of Polly Hopkins as il
was in the heart of the dead Oscar
you shall see your father she
said, dropping her hand, "and you ear
nave any dress l have to wear. Come
up tonight, at seven. The folks viii
beat dinner and III slip out and bring
you in"
Then she went away, leaving Polly
Hopkins alternately plunged into the
depths of despair when she thought Of
Robert Percival and singing will
gladness over the joy in store fol
/ Wee Jerry and Daddy Hopkins.
1t was still broad day when Polly
Hopkins left Wee Jerry playing by
the waters edge with some squattel
youngsters and started for the Robert
son home. True to her word, Evelyr
met her in the grape arbor at sever
and hastily led her up the back stairs
to her bedroom.
"There are the Closets" she said
Take anything you like, Polly, but
hurry. The cooks in the kitchen, anC
the other maids are busy. I'll go dowI
for fear someone will come to find me