The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-03-23
(Contimed)
CHAPTER VII.

Then came the days through when
the inhabitants Of the silent City lived
with nothing to comfort them but
Polly Hopkins Scarcely an hour
passed without strangers walking over
fhe rough road through the settlement
and every one knew that these men, 50
curious aud yet so unwilling to speak
even 'good-day." were doing service
for Marcus Mackenzie.
Al last one day. crushed with ap-
prehension and despair. jeremiah
Hopkins decided that one Of them
should, 60 to Robert Perciyal TO 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 a choice Of the three OF you,
Poll" said Lye Braeger, you or your
daddy or Larry Bishop"
HE wouldn't listen to me. lassie, !"
Hopkins moufned. "Mebbe he would
10 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 go TO I'm,
Daddy honey" she murmured. PLEASE.
Daddy"
I'VE amt got chance without
some ones help. Poll" insisted Brae-
ger. "You go along. an do your d--dest
for the squatters"
"All right, Lye," she managed TO say.
"rn 40 after Jerry's In bed, an the
supper's over"
So IL came 10 pass that nightfall
found Polly Hopkins struggling up the
hill 10 the railroad tracks. She turned
south on the boulevard and stole eau
tiously along the edge Of the rond.
she had no desire to meet Old Mare
or Evelyn. As she went on she mur-
INJURED 10 herself some Of the love
words Granny Hope had planted In
her memory. and when she turned into
the carriageway 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 trepidatlon she
mounted the steps leading to the front
porch and tiptoed TO a long French
window II was partly open and there,
seated before a table. was the man she
sought
Polly knocked once but the sound
was SO faint Robert did not hear it,
Hist" came from between Polly's
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 a crack and squeezed into
the room.
A strange mixture Of conflicting ex-
pressions swept over his face, but
pleasure al the sight OF her predomi.
mated them all.
"Pollyopr he exclaimed. Polly
Hopkins. what's the matterG"
"old Mares goin' TO turn us all out,
mister" she whispered huskily. search
ing his face. "an' Daddy sent me to
ask you to help u
Robert drew one hand across his
brow helplessly.
"rve said everything ! could to
make him understand The crime of Il
all" he apologlzed Hes Ike crazy
mani I can't see how he can think Of
such a thing. even though your peo-
pie were willing 70 r.. Polly
eve aint. We can't go.' she replied,
auivering. There amt place in the
world for squutters but ne Silent
CITY"
Il know it, be returned gloomily.
@And can't Love d nothin' for usT~
tmplored The clrl Granny HOPE says
A. can. an once IL heard you say
twas the-the--"
last sf that moment the sound ~
footsteps was heard outside To tie haiL
Roi.eu thrust out his hand rasped
polix hv the shoulders. and Gen another
moment she found herself behind The
,hlck curtain hanging in heavy folds
over rows of books which rose 20 the
celllng
ne door opened and Perc.vni spun
around 10 meet Marcus Mackenzie.
he crushed douu rs etnharra ssmeni
and onered his visitor chair.
~Evelya sent me for BOOK Mar
Gus explained Pardon ne fof Dis
turbing you. old chap
-sit ao~n.- Roberts reoaestcd with
an effort
Marcus .hcof bis bad
4 carf- be rcrlsed- Eve snd