Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-06-28
CHAPTER XIV.

"God-Almighty, Polly brati" ex-
claimed Larry Bishop one evening,
what made you come out a night like
this. huhT'
The girl went to the steve and In
silence extended her hands over its top.
whats up. Pollyop?" the man de-
manded again. curiously, dropping into
a chair. "You look something awful y
And so she did The long-lashed
eyes had gathered and held an indetin-
able expression of hatred. The fair,
lovely face knew tender sympathy no
more. She was no longer Polly Of the
| sun. For her that orb had become
merely a ball In the sky. hot like the
stove and bright like the candle flame,
only more so. Nor did the pale winter
moon ever catch her dazzling smiles.
The winklng stars had forgotten weeks
ago that once a squatter girl had stolen
out nightly TO throw upward a kiss,
begging them to deliver IL 10 the cruel
fed one there beyond them-the good
Jesus who sat on the golden throne
and who had sent her the message by
Granny Hope that love were strong
erin hate any day"
AS usual her feet were In Jeremiah's
boots, and as usual she wore his coat.
/ Her curls were covered with snow,
and as she studied the dark-faced man
she shook drops of water from them.
She advanced toward him, choking
with emotion. Since Wee Jerry had
gone, her hours, spent in planning re-
venge, had completely exhausted her.
She was so tired that when she
reached Larry she crouched before
him on the floor and turned pale, be-
seeching face up 20 him.
"rve come, Larry Bishop" she be-
gan gravely, ito ask you 10 help me TO
even up a little with Old Marc"
The sQuatter's head went up, and a
startled expression shot into his fierce
eyes. Then he sank lower in his chair.
and the fire died out Of his counte-
nance.
"who can get even with that d-n
brute?" he muttered after a while.
"Sauatters can'tl We'd all go TO Au-
burn IL we muss up him or his'n."
A white young face showed SO close
10 his that Bishop drew back.
"who cares a d-n about Auburn
Pollyop exclaimed roughly. "We won't
20 there till we've tore Old Mares
heart 10 pieces an made II hurt like
yours does, Larry, like mine does for
Jerry an Daddy Hopkins. Wouldn't
you be willln' TO spend a few years In
jall II you could make him howl an go
almost mad like me an you have,
Larryw
Bishop looked beyond her head into
a dark corner. II was in that spot he
often imagined he saw the wrath Of
his woman. His unsteady regard set
tied: and the ghost woman rose mist
flv gazing at him with unearthly eyes.
Then the pale. unsmlllng phantom ex-
tended her arms and within them APP
peared a frail infant
"Godp burst from his lips like a
shot from a gun.
Pollyop glanced backward over her
shoulder. But the shudder that ran
over him brought her haggard face
back 10 his.
"Ain't your heart hurtin' something
awful for your Betty woman an your
brat now, this very minuter she
oueried abruptly. as II she. too. had
seen the CHASTITY thing in the corner.
God. yes :" he shivered. taking firm
hold OF his chin to hide the tremble. OF
II.
She seized his arm visellke. the grip
drawing a groan from the squatter.
AN wouldn't you just love TO see
Old Marc twist an squirm like
stepped-on baby snake, huhr came In
one long. sobbing breath.
Again the shIfty look Of the tortured
man came TO rest on the gloom beyond.
aPd die for IL. so would. Pollyop,"
he cried. "out with what you got In
your bean. Poll; an I'll listen. so help
me Godi"
PoIlyop leaned heavily against him.
painting. She was making an effort 10
tell him her plan. With a swift up
ward motion OF her head. she began 10
talk In broken tones; and as she pro-
ceeded, Larry Bishop raised straighter
In his chair.
Polly's voice trailed into silence
and Larry sent one hasty look over her
head. The wrath smiled sadly at him
and was gone. He shook himself and
struggled to his feet. Then a broad.
wicked grin spread his lips apart and
he laughed aloud. Pollyop. still on the
door. laughed, too. hysterical sobs
4 ....htn~ ~ her throat and a desire 70