The Lamar register., 1922-05-31

Polly, AN Jerrys turned up MS toes
by this time! | amt heard word
from him since he was took away.
Mebbe | could a seen him II you
hadn't made your cousin believe were
q bad woman What d'you know
about babies, an how cunnin' an sweet
they are? You're as wicked as h-li
Ithacam be better off when you're
food for the fishes. I'm glad your
manrl live, though. Lordy, how l
laughed when he busted into the
shanty. And there was you right be
side mel Huh? Wasn't 1t good
Joke on Old MarcY'
The speaker held Evelyn's stare, the
chestnut eyes glittering as the ques-
ton was fairly spat out.
81 can't die, Pollyop" groaned Eve
lyn, 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 convulsively. "or I'll hit
you with this"
"God Jesus !" came from between
Evelyn's chsttering teeth. mo, don't
pick II upl Don'tl Oh. / 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 her 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 skyl" she
cried. 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 womani 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 csndlelight. But few
months ago they had been the most
willing fingers In all the county, But
tonight-Nsrc's babyi Eyelyn's baby !
Like a hive OF bees, the Joy Of dis
sipating the home CT Marcus Mac
Kenzie buzzed through her brain. No
sound came from the girl on the floor.
for Evelyn Mackenzie had given W
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
faintly, and then again because Polly
gave her no heed. she cried louder:
"Pollyop, my feet hurt sol can't
bear it,
Polly paused, leaned against the
wall and glsred Pt her.
I'm glad the, do that" she nut
tered. You can't hurt anywhere too
much to suit me!'
Then something gave way behint
her, and wheeling around, she found
herself staring into the face of The
Daddy's dust-covered coat which hud
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 beer
a 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.
Then suddenly she heard a mans
voice. 1t seemed to drift Into the hut
through every crevice and crack.
"And you're the Llttlest Mother in
the World" came plainly to her.
Like one struck, she stood rooted
to the spot. Evelyn Mackenzie over
Ito Be Continued).