The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-07-13
Copyright by Little, Brown &s Co.

Cohpleteiy seCreteu nerSelI, Sne drew
down the velvet half-curtain that hung
from the seat. II seemed hours before
she heard a sound. She hissed a
warning to Jerry. then waited In nerve
Gus tension.
From the station platform voices
seemed suddenly to rise up from every
quarter Pollyop closed her eyes. too
confused to think of anything to dis.
sipate the agony of mind she was un.
dergoing
A few minutes before train time n
high-powered motor car drew up to
the platform.
'We've got the drawing room,
Marc" explained Robert Percival,
''and while you three are shopping,
I'm going to dig around Auburn a
bit"
81 suppose you're going to call on
your friend, Jeremiah" taunted Mac
Kenzie. Bob, I'll give you a pointer.
Drop that case There's no power on
earth that can open the prison doors
for Hopkins"
To this Robert did not reply In
deep reverie he helped his aunt and
cousin from the automobile and fol.
lowed them to the car. {
When Polly heard number Of
people come into the stateroom. she
put one hand over her lips. She
strained her ears TO hear II Jerry had
made move. How she hoped the
dear baby had fallen asleep and that
he would not wake up until they
were in Auburnl AS unexpected as
the voice of one long dead, the sound
Of familiar tones came tN her ears.
The words were:
"Now, Mrs. Robertson, you sit there
and you too, Eve. Then you won't
have to ride backward. Bob and I'll
sit here"
The squatter girls heart nearly
jumped out of her mouth. There, with.
In touching distance. was her power
full enemy. Her flesh tlngled as If
bees had stung her. Robert Percival,
and Evelyn too, We're there. Pollyop
shlvered and wished that she had
waited until tomorrow, or perhaps the
day after.
She tried to drive out the fear of
being discovered and think only of
Jerry's happiness and Daddy's. To
make her heart beat less fast, she
tried earnestly to think of some words
that Jesus would hear and under
stand. But even that desire was
driven from her as two heavy bodies
dropped upon the seat above her.
Plainly sne saw two pairs OF mems
boots near enough to touch her If she
moved an inch forward.
Back against the side of the car she
pushed her head, nolselessly drawing
her thick curls over her shoulder to
make more room. How intensely she
wished they were in Auburn If the
train would only start ahead she was
sure she would lose the insane desire
to open her mouth and scream.
Then a whistle from the engine. and
as II the man at the throttle had heard
the inward cry Of her frightened
young soul, the train began TO move
slowly. AS 1t crossed the northern
end of the town, one of the owners
of the boots near her face grew ex-
ceedingly restless, and of a sudden he
pushed his foot directly against her
nose. Gently she showed It away: and
low exclamation from above fol-
lowed instantly.
Then strong, large hand lifted the
velvet hanglngs; and before POllyop
could stir, set of fingers took sharp
hold of her face. In her frightened
state she threw the hand of and an
other ejaculation came to her ears.
Then two hands came under and
CROPPED for grip. She fought strenu-
ously to hold her place; but the per-
son pulled her out by main force.
Polly Hopkins was almost fainting
when Robert Percival placed her on
her feet. The silk dress, partly
tucked In Daddy's boots and partly
out, was covered with dust. In silent
embarrassment she stopped and
brushed 1t. Then she glanced up i'm
ploringly,
Robert, wax-white, was staring at
her as II he could not believe his eyes;
and Mackenzie, carried away by the
rage within him. yiciously clutched at
her arm. Pollyop dragged herself
away frow the strong fingers.
Don't touch me, you" she snapped
hoarsely at him. "rm goin' to Auburn
to see my Daddy Hopkins"
Her voice was hlgh-ptched and
tensely toned. Her gaze sought one
after another until II rested on Eve
lyn Robertson, huddled back In the
corner of the seat.
'You can make him leave me be,
ma'am." Polly went on. 81 got a right
to go to Auburn as wells any one
else"
An unfeellng laugh left MacKenzie's
lips; and sharp exclamation fell
from Percival.
you're a thief" Marcus thrust In
grimly. "A little thief. You're steal
ing a ride"
With all her fighting instinct
roused Polly squared herself.