The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-03-31
CHAPTER vii.

the Inhabitants Of the Silent City lived
with nothing TO comfort them but
Polly Hopkins. Scarcely IN hour
passed without strangers walking over
the rough road through the settlement
and every one knew that these men, no
curious and yet so unwilling to speak
even ''good-day," were doing service
for Marcus Mackenzie.
AT last one day, crushed with APP
prehensIon and despair, Jeremiah
Hopkins decided that one of them
should go to Robert Pereival to ask
his aid In keeping the settlement to-
gether. Polly was so sure he would
keep his word TO her-now they would
give him the chance.
Its a choice Of the three OF you,
Poll" said Lye Braeger. you or your
daddy or Larry Bishop
''IIe wouldn't listen to me, lassie, Z
Hopkins mourned. s'Mebbe he would
20 you. dunno. but mebbe."
Before the girls sensitive mind
flashed the face Of Robert, and she hid
her red cheeks against the speakers
knee.
"oh. couldn't never 60 to i'm,
Daddy honey she murmured "Please.
Daddy"
I'VE amt got a chance without
some ones help, Poll. insisted Brae.
ger. you go along, an do your d--tlest
Tor the squattersl'
eAll right. Lys,n she managed 10 say.
'Ill 80 after Jerry's In bed. an the
supper's over"
SO 1t came TO pass that nightfall
found Polly Hopkins struggling up the
Hill to the railroad tracks She turned
south on the boulevard and stole eau
liously along the edge OF the road.
She had no desire 10 meet Old Marc
or Evelyn. Az she went ON she muir
INJURED to herself some Of the love
words Granny Hope had planted In
her memory, and when she turned into
the cnrriageway leading to the Rob
ertson home, she held her head little
higher and walked with less nervous
ness.
Around and around the house she
crept. until with trcpidation she
mounted the steps leading to the front
porch and tlpteed to long French
window. II was partly open and there,
seated before table. was the man she
sought.
Polly Knocked once, but the sound
was 50 faint Robert did not hear It.
'sITIst.. came from between Polly's
lips, and the young man glanced up.
Al the sight Of her he got 10 his feet
slowly. Then Polly showed the win
dow open a crack and squeezed into
the room.
a strange mixture OF conflicting ex-
pressions swept over his face. hut
pleasure at the sight of her predoml-
mated them all.
"Poslyopl" ne exclaimed. Polly
Hopkins. what's the matter7"
's0ld Mares gosn' 10 turn MS all out.
mister" she whispered huskily, search
Ing his face, san Daddy sent me to
ask you 10 help us"
Robert drew one hand across his
brow helplessiy.
I've said everything could TO
make him understand the crime Of II
aIl,s he apologized. "He's like crazy
man | cant see how he can think Of
such a thing, even though your peo-
pie were willing "a 80, Polly"
1--WE ain't; We can't co.. she replied,
quivering, "There ain't place in the
world for squatters but the Silent
City"
II know IT," he returned gloomlly.
'And can't Love do nothln for usT'
lmplored the girl. Granny Hope SAYS
ut can. an once III heard you say
twas the-the--s
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 fields
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 bis visitor chair.
Evelyn sent me for a book" Mar
Gus explained. Pardon me for dis
turbing you. old chap
@sit down. Robert requested with
an effort
Marcus shook his head.
Il can't" he replied. eve and I
are eoufabing over something. i told
her ~ get book and come right
back
He made movement. to walk to-
ward the book shelves: but Resers
stopped him.