Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-04-26

when he returned, he would do some
thing worth while, something 10 make
the world a little better because he
had lived In Il.
Now he was home; and almost the
first day had come 10 him this appeal.
He smiled ruefully az the recollection
OF Pollyops plea. He had promised TO
help the squatters. and he meant 10 do
Il. SUI pose II did bring him into con
fiict with Marcus Mackenzie! He
knew how TO fight. and a good fight
was not bad fun.
Family from the direction he had
ridden, the sound OF cries came 10 his
ears. Idly he wondered what the row
was. Some squatter man disciplinlng
his wife, he decided; but he could not
stand 10 have a woman beatenl
He vaulted into the saddle and raced
back over the road. II was not long
before he located the place where the
screams came from. Then Bay Dex-
ter had an opportunity to show all the
speed he had.
The sight Of Pollyop writhIng In the
strong arms Of a man he did not recog-
nlze made Percival see red. lie was
or his horse with one leap. and two
long strides took him TO Oscars side.
One blow from his powerful knuckles
In the farmers face staggered Bennett
and freed Polly so quickly that she
fell TO the ground. Instinctively she
crawled out OF the way of the battling
men. The blow that he'd released her
had done no damage TO Bennett ex-
cept 10 aggravate his rage. lie recov-
cred himself and confronted his assail-
ant. dripping oaths like ram from a
cloudburst.
Bennett took the offensive, his fists
flying like fails. He wanted 10 get
his arms around the other fellow, to
trip him and make the fight a rough
and tumble on the ground, but Perez
val avoided the rush. and struck as
Bennett went by. Again and again
Bennett tried 10 come TO close quar-
tiers. But he could not; neither could
he hit his elusive opponent. At length
he hesitated, distressed as much by
his own efforts as the blows he had
received.
Then Percival stepped In, and quick
" Il was all over. Two well-planted
thumps laid Bennett like a log on the
ground.
Robert busted Off his hands. picked
Wee Jerry up, and handed him to his
sister.
"Dld he hurt you. Polly?" he queried,
and her answer was positively gleeful !:
"Nary a bit. SIR. an reckon the big
lummox's got a plenty this time"
Robert brushed or his clothes slow
". The farmer still lay on the ground.
sect up" ordered Percival scornful-
ly. touching the PROSTATE man with
the toe OF his boot. "Get up and make
of II you don't want me to lick you
again."
Oscar rolled over and crawled slow
ly 10 his hands and knees.
"The grounds kinda wabbly, amt II,
oscarT %eIly gibed.
"Get out" commanded Robert, once
more.
Bennett scrambled TO his feet. shook
his fist at Polly. snatched up the little
dead lamb, and In another moment
had climbed the fence and was gone.
"what we're you fighting aboutT
began Robert, looking keenly at Pol
lyop.
Tears hung on the girls lashes. and
the sensitive underllp quivered.
oscar said as how Nannyop were
his" she murmured. Weren't II awful
for him to swat IL with that stone that
wayT"
ibid you" He breke Off the ques-
ton abruptly. He was going to ask
her If she had stolen the lamb: but an
expression in the pleading. misty eyes
stopped him.
Il found the little Teller drownin' In
the creek, sir" she explained with
bowed head. Il just took him home 10
love him, that was ALL"
The strange, thrilling emotion that
had overcome Robert but a short time
ago I'm the presence OF this squatter
girl attacked him again.
"What can do 20 help you, childT
be demanded sharply.
Polly flung out her hand. Help!
that was what the squatters wanted.
The little lamb was dead. Nothing
could ever hurt II any more. But there
were her people
"Just help Daddy Hopkins"-she
choked and went on-"an' all the poor
folks in the Silent City, an'-all-In
love you forever and foreverl"
After that the ''littlest mother"
made large strides upward toward the
greatest mother" Every little wor-
ried thing In the woods. every heavy
heart In the squatter settlement felt
the difference In Polly Hopkins. She
smiled more, she talked more; and,
when she found a group of her women
folks wondering how their absent lad
dies were. she led them In smiling as
....,..., -. OLA Mares fonpn and there