Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-07-06

udu IL i've luOuSh'- AOAuJ' Az"
laughed when he busted into the
shanty. And there was you right be-
side me! Huh? Wasn't 1t a good
joke on Old Marc?"
The speaker held Evelyn's stare, the
chestnut eyes glitterlng as the Ques-
ton was fairly spat out.
II can't die, Pollyop" groaned Eve
Ign, her head dropping against the
cot. "Oh, Polly dear, listen-please-"
Polly reached out for the ak.
"Don't you dare Polly dear me-"
she gritted convulslvely, "or I'll hit
you with thls!"
"God Jesus" came from between
Evelyn's chattering teeth. mo, don't
pick 1t up! Don'tl Oh, I 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 herr hand.
Evelyn Strengthened up and bent
forward, her eyes swimming with
tears.
polly" she gasped, "POllyop, in the
summer Gods going to send me 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 sky!" she
cried. 1.-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 woman! Both to go out
of his life forever! And by her hands
hers, Polly Hopkins hands!
She lifted them up, those slender,
brown fingers, and looked at them
against the candlelight. But q few
months ago they had been the most
willing fingers in all the county! But
tonight-Marc's baby! Evelyn's baby
Like a hive of bees the Joy of dis
sipating the home Of Marcus Mac
Kenzie buzzed through her brain. No
sound came from the girl on the floor,
for Evelyn 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:
"Pollyop, my feet hurt sol can't
bear itp
Polly paused, leaned against the
wall and glared at her.
"Tm glad they do that" she NUT
tered. "You can't hurt anywhere too
much to suit me"
Then something gave way behind
her, and wheeling around she found
herself staring into the face Of "The
Greatest Mother In the World
Daddy's dust-covered 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
benediction for herself and Daddy
Hopkins, was there no longer. Rather
was there an expression Of sorrow,
Death rested in the nurses arms, but
from her whole reverent attitude the
sense of protection swept out at Polly
Hopkins, q
Then suddenly she heard a mans
voice. It seemed to drift into the hut
through every creyice and 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 If it had never seered 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
ory.
Il love you, Polly" touched her
like caress, 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 and hateful within her
broke, and the food-tides Of love came
| pouring In. AS when dam bursts,
the pent-up waters sweep away all the
accumulated rubbish In the old, I'M
used channels, SO was the squatter
girls heart cleansed Of every unlovely
emotion. To her upllfted vision "The
Greatest Mother in the World" smiled
again In benediction; and beyond her,
dim in the background, appeared q
wrinkled. toothless smile, and Polly
heard Granny Hopes withered lips
n saying:
Loves the hull thing, brat, just
love, an love, an keep on lovin'."
Full Of the tenderest compassion,
PoIlyop turned swiftly, and at the
sight Of her nashlne radiant face