The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-06-01
Copyright by LttleGBroWn and Company

lthncail be better of when you're
food for the fishes. I'm glad your
mnnll live, though. Lordy, how
laughed when he busted into the
shanty. And there was you right be-
side mel Huhf Wasn't Il a good
joke on Old Marcr"
The speaker held Evelyn's stare. the
chestnut eyes glltterlng as the ques-
ton was fulrly spit out
II can't die, Poilyopf" groaned Eve.
Ign, her head dreopiRg against the
cot. "Oh, Polly dear fisten--please--"
Polly reached out for the tx.
DON'T you dare Polly dear me-"
she gritted convulsively. cor I'll hit
you with thar
God t--Jesus !" came from between
Evelyn's chartering teeth. "No, don't
pick II npl Don't Oh, want to tell
you something. Polly Hopkins"
Then fire ahead" Polly grumbled
sullenly.
She withdrew her fingers from the
ax-handle and leaned her chin in the
palm OF her hand.
Evelyn Strengthened up and bent
forward. her eyes swimming with
tears.
Polly" she gasped, "Pollyop. in the
summer Gods going 10 send me a lit
tie baby. Oh. Polly"
The squatter girl scrambled up as
the speaker dropped back, terrified at
the exultant FIRE in the brown eyes and
the awful smile that crept across Pol
ly's face.
"Glory be to God In the skyr" she
cried. Two OF you belongin' TO Old
Marc goin' with one swipe of the ak"
She wheeled around and paced the
length OF the shanty. Old Mares baby
Old Mares womanl Both to go out
OF his life foreverl And by her hands
hers, Polly Hopkins hands
She lifted them up. those slender,
brown fingers, and looked at them
against the candlelight. But a few
months ago they had been the most
willing fingers in all the county, But
tonight-Marc's baby Evelyn's baby!
Like hive OF bees. the Joy Of dis
slpating the home OF Marcus Mac
Kenzie buzzed through her brain. No
sound came from the girl on the floor.
for Gyelyn Mackenzie had given up
all hope. The squatter girl was crazy.
No human being could entertain such
CHASTITY purpose and be In his right
mind
Presently she called Polly's name
family, and then again because Polly
gave her no heed, she cried louder:
"Poilyop, my feet hurt sol ! can't
bear itr
Polly paused, leaned against the
wall and glared at her.
"I'm glad they do that" she NUT
tered. "You cant hurt anywhere too
much to suit mev'
Then something gave way behind
her, and wheeling around, she found
herself staring into the face OF 1.-THE
Greatest Mother In the World"
Daddy's Undiscovered coat which had
hidden the picture all the past weeks
lay at her feet.
As she looked. the glare left Polly's
eyes. The serious face that had once
smiled AT her. the smile that had been
n beEcdiction for herself and Daddy
Hopkins, was there no longer. Rather
was there an expression OF sorrow
Death rested In the nurses arms. hut
from her whole reverent attitude the
sense of protection swept out at Polly
Hopkins.
Then suddenly she heard a mans
voice. II seemed 10 drift into the hut
through every crevice end crack.
"And you're the Littlest Mother In
the World" came plainly TO her.
Like one struck. she stood rooted
to the spot. Evelyn Mackenzie over
there against the bed faded from her
mind. Old Mares imaged face went
away as II II had never Scored her
vision. over and over the delightful
words Robert had spoken to her
rushed into her ears and stamped
themselves In golden fire on her mem
DRY.
81 love you. Polly" touched her
like a cnress, and. "You're my little
girl" fell upon her like the tender
hand of Granny Hopes God.
"The Greatest Mother In the World"
whispered Pollyop; and then some
thing hard aud hateful within her
broke. and TIE noOd-tldes Of love came
pouring In. As when a dam bursts,
the pent-up waters sweep away all the
accumulated rubbish In the old, I'M
uead channels, so was the squatter
girls heart cleansed OF every unlovely
emotion. To her uplifted vision "The
Greatest Mother In the World smiled
again In benedlction; and beyond her,
dim In the background, appeared a
wrlnkled, toothless smile, and Polly
heard Granny Hopes withered lips
saying;
Loves the hull thing, brat just
love. an love, an keep on loyin'."
Full Of Ine tenderesS compassion,
Poilyop tnrned swiftly, aud at the
sight Of her flashing, radiant face,