Middletown transcript., 1922-04-15
CHAPTER x-continued.

"You do something, ma'am!" she
,implored. "Please do 1t quick, an,
an A light leapt into her eyes and
she burst out: "Mebbe some day you'll
be askin' me big favor, an here's my
word before God. do It,"
For short space of time the two
girls stared into each others eyes, but
Evelyns fell first. She sank back
4inply.
Take her away, Robert!' she
.groaned. ITS too dreadful"
After Pollyop and Robert had gone,
she turned swiftly on Marcus.
II wish they were all dead, those
wretched squatters," she said fret
fully, and frowning, Mackenzie con-
tinued his breakfast in silence.
Miserable days passed for the en-
Sire squatter settlement. That the
right arm of the Silent City had been
aopped off when Hopkins was impris-
Vned showed plainly in the AFFECTION
of its inhabitants. Every countenance
was wrinkled with anxiety; and still
the strange men lowered about the
lakeside.
Ugly. rumors circulated through the
Silent City. 1t was said that to fix
felony on Hopkins, the officers claimed
that in searching him, before shutting
him up, they had found revolver in
his pocket. Every one that knew him
secuted the idea, but Jeremiah Hop
kins was promptly indicted for carry
ing concealed weapons.
The only concession Robert had been
able to obtain was permission for
Polly to visit her father, and day after
day she carried Jerry to see him.
The day of Hopkins trial Polly had
to stay at home to care for Granny
Hope and the baby.
Late in the afternoon, while she
was rocking Wee Jerry, for there was
no other way to keep him quiet, there
came a rap on the door. Placing him
ON the cot, she called soft: "Come
in"
The entrance of Robert Percival
filed her with apprehension. he looked
30 serious, so drawn and pale.
"It's about daddy" she exclaimed
forgetting for the moment how embar-
rassed she was.
Robert nodded.
"Sit down, Polly" he said gravely,
''and I'll tell YOU"
Mutely she stood staring at him.
"Sit down, dear" he insisted.
II don't want to sit down." she
mOaned. "Tell me about daddy.
What's happened?-He's goin' to Au-
burn. huh?"
Had he been able, Robert would
have contradicted her. Gladly would
he have chased away the yelling tears
that came slowly into the dear eyes.
as 1t Auburn PRISON." she whis-
pered. "Did the jury say he was
guilty?'
"Yes, Polly, but I've still hopes l can
get him another trial." answered Rob-
ert. "Oh, little Polly, please don't cry,
please don't"
Unmindful that he was holding out
his hands to her, she sobbed hysterical-
ly, utterly deprived of self-control.
The more Robert pleaded with her to
cease, the more she kept up the inces-
SAINT wall
At the sound Of her anguish, Jerry
awoke and set up loud screaming,
and, ever true to her mother instinct
for him and all others in her wild
world, Pollyop took him up and seat
ed herself, hushing and caressing him.
"The littlest mother in the world"
breathed Robert tenderly, bending
over her. "And brave girl you are,
too, Polly Hopkins"
II can't be brave ever any more, I
can't. l need my daddy so, l do. I'm
thinkiE' my heart just busted when
they took him away"
He understood, and Roberts very
soul melted in sympathy. Indeed, never
had he worked so hard on any one
thing as he had done to defend the
squatter. 1t had been only after Mac.
Kenzie had outwitted him that he had
come to the Silent City to break the
bad news to Polly Hopkins.