The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-03-30
Miller White
strafedEbyR HLNinestone

Poiiy's quick mind ran on ahead
AN 70 de- that" she threw N. .yol
got TO gst shut OF Oscar I don't blam,
you for wantin' to but how be 20,
roin' to work II. Miss Evef can
see no help for the squatters II you
msrryin' Old Mares part Of IT,"
That's what I'm trying to tell you
Polly" was the quick retort. but
want your promise. You help me. ant
I'll help you and your people. Oscsi
ssys he'll free me if--if-you1l marry
him"
For an instant Poliy's head whirled
~ II IL had been suddenly struck and
over her came q weight almost unbear
able. Then slowly she shook her curly
head.
Il couldn't DO that. ma'am." she
choked. Il Just couldn't" =
"But you said you would" retorted
Evelyn sharply. "Yeu must. can
save the squatters, and I will; bu,
only on condition that you heip me get
rid Of Oscar Bennett. Mr.. MacKenzie
10 going to buy the Bennett farm
and"
"An' oscaril be soin' away some.
where's elseT put In Polly. "Is that
III He'd take me away from Daddy
Hopkins an from"
She caught herself Just In time. She
had II on the tip Of her tongue to add
the name Of Robert Percival. but Of
course she did not.
Il couldn't ever do that" she ended.
"Never neverr"
The blue eyes looked into the brown
eyes seriously.
"Oh. yes. you can" insisted Miss
Robertson. Oscars not the worst In
the world. and he'll have LOT OF
money when he leaves Ithaca. He
loves you. Pollyop. and he'd make life
easy and pleasant for you"
A thoughtful moment or two passed.
while Polly Hopkins eazed at her
hands locked together in her lap.
"You can't tell me nothin' about Os-
car" she remarked at length. II know
the dirty duffer. an don't know
nothin' good about him. you can bet
your boots on that" She paused while
through the open doorway her eyes
were fixed upon q feecy cloud high
M in the deep blue sky "Put that
don't make no difference" she contIn-
ned. III linked up with Oscar. would
that pup. old Marc. let the squatters
stay I'm the silent city,"
"why. Polly. dear. Of course he will
I talked With Oscar last night. and TIL
sp.-ak 10 Mr. Mackenzie iust as soon
. YOU promise to do what Oscar
Wants
Again the smiling face OF Robert
Pefciyal cut across Polly Hopkins
mental vision, and through the silence
OF the shanty she head his voice-deep.
low and like music. Then the evil
face of Bennett wormed Itself into her
mind. Her lids dropped. and she shud-
dered.
Il couldn't do H. ma'am." she
walled. Il just couldn't do that"
Evelyn arose and stood over her.
"You must. Polly" she asserted
again. Good heavens. it's the chance
OF your life or course you'll do il,
Polly Hopkins Take a little time to
think & over. III bring Oscar TO see
you some day when Mr Mackenzie
and my cousin Robert are away"
At the sound OF that beloved name,
Polly's head fell forward
'Scoot now" she said. her curls hid
ing her face. ~rll think about il"
After Evelyn had gone. Polly me-
resumed her sewing. II
seemed that her hearts Joy had wholly
died within her Patiently she tried
10 turn her attention to the work In
her hands. bat again and again she
caught herself sitting with idle fingers.
Finally worried BY the conflicting
emotions that were crowding in upon !
her Polly dung herself into the open /
and ran swiftly a'ong the ragged rocks I
n little glen where many q time she
had been before Here she waded
through the brook and sank down bs-
side g. Mindplciure after mindpic-
'ure passed before her She saw
DADDY Hopkins happy uifh 1erry in
me shaniy. no ionErr afraid % hsh !
anc hunt Then she visioned the 81 i
lent City. safe a. last. and saved By /
her Her head sank into her hands : 1
and soes racked her slender body.
Bur 4 vas not long before she sat
~ and tossed hack her csrix. II
seemed as n she bad heard voice.
she turned her bead slowly: and 10.
Robers Percivsi was standing across
the ereek. srnlilnE AZ her.
Il followed yo1. Polly Hopkfns- be
rsiled and sprfnging scross the water.
be added Toe ran 20 fast I lost ysa