Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-04-27
tltsl
CHAPTER viii.

with nothing to comfort them but
Polly Hopkins. Scarcely an hour
passed without strangers walking over
the rough road through the settlement
and every one knew that these men, so
curious and yet so unwilling to speak
even a "good-day," were doing service
for Marcus Mackenzie.
At last one day, crushed with ap-
prehensiOn and despair, jeremiah
Hopkins decided that one Of them
should go to Robert Percival 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.
ats 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 mourned "Mebbe he would
to 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 a chance without
some ones help, POLL" insisted Brae-
ger. "YOu 60 along, an do your d-dest
for the sQuatters
"All right, Lye," she managed to say.
"I1l 80 after Jerry's In bed, an the
slippers over"
So 1t came to pass that nightfan
found Polly Hopkins struggling up the
hill to the railroad tracks. She turned
south on the boulevard and stole eau
tiously along the edge Of the road.
She had no desire to meet Old Marc
or Evelyn. AS 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 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 trepidation she
mounted the steps leading to the front
porch and tiptoed to a long French
window. It was partly open and there,
seated before 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 crack and squeezed into
the room.
A strange mixture Of conflicting ex-
pressions swept over his face, but
pleasure at the sight Of her predomi-
mated them all.
"Pollyopl" he exclaimed. "POlly
Hopkins, what's the matter?"
"Old Mares goin' to turn US all out,
mister" she whispered huskiIy, search
ing his face. IAN Daddy sent me to
ask you to help u.s."
Robert drew one hand across his
brow helplessly.
1--WE said everything could to
make him understand the crime of 1t
ALL" he apologized. "He's like a crazy
mani can't see how he can think Of
such a thing, even though your peo-
pie were willing to go, Polly"
1--WE amt; we can't CO." she replied,
qulvering. "There amt place in the
world for sQuatters but the Silent
City"
II know IT," he returned gloomily.
sand can't Love do nothin' for usH'
lmplored the GIRL Granny Hope says
1t can, an once III heard you say
twas theLthe-"
inst at that moment the sound Of
footsteps was heard outside In the hail.
Robert thrust out his hand, grasped
Polly. By the shoulders, and In another
moment she found herself behind the
thick curtain hanging in heavy folds
over rows Of books which rose TO the
ceiling. =
The door opened ana Percival spun
around to meet Marcus Mackenzie.
He crushed down his embarrassment
and offered his visitor a chair.
Evelyn sent me for book" Mar
Gus explained. pardon me for dis
turbing you, old chap"
"SIt down." Robert requested with
an effort.
Marcus shook his head.
II can't" he replied. Eve and I
are cUnfabing over something. told
her I'd get book and come right
back
He made a movement to walk to-
ward the book shelves; but Robert
stopped him.