Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-06-15

sin, Robert, standing near the window,
his hands in his pockets. She went
straight to his side.
Bob" she breathed.
The young man turned upon her and
caught the hand she laid on his arm.
you've got to help me now, Eve"
he began, without other response to
her greeting. Its all very well for
Marc to take q high hand in some
matters, but this thing he's planning
is brutal"
II can't do anything with him."
cried the girl. "He told me about it
last night; and talked and talked till
I'm hoarse. Bob, why don't you go
away somewhereT
Robert shook his head dismally.
II can't Eve, / can't" he returned.
IT know what Polly is, but she's young
and-and-"
He paused, brushed back his hair
and hurried on
II love her, that's all If Marc con-
tinues in All, here he comes"
The door flung open, and MacKen-
zie strobe into the room. He came to
halt at the sight of his young wife
! and her cousin.
"What's up?" he exclaimed testify.
Bob wants to talk to you, dear"
explained Evelyn, in a conciliatory
tone. She had learned in the past
months that suppressing her own tenn
per was to travel along the lines of
least resistance.
"Well, Rave some breakfast" was
the ungracious reply. "Sit down, both
Of you"
"Pve had my breakfast" answered
Robert. II waited to have a word
with you, Marc, before you went into
town. want to buy Of you at your
own price all the land the sQuatters
are on. That would relieve"
"Squatters again, eh?" came IN
quick interruption. "My dear Robert"
Mackenzie placed his fingers on the
back of his chair and watching his
wife, proceeded, Il really dislike to be
abrupt in my own family and in your
house, but you know there is such a
thing as q man minding his own bust
ness"
A deep flush rose to Percival's
brow.
II am minding my own business"
he shot back. IF it's your will to per-
secute q girl who's almost dead with
grief, it's mine to help her if can.
This last thing you're trying to put
over Is abominable !"
In rough impotence Marcus sat
down, Evelyn dropping into her place
opposite him.
From your interest one would think
you had a more intimate reason than
just humanity, Robert" he sneered
broadly. rs that it?"
Into Evelyn's pale face rushed a
mass Of color, and she shrank back as
If she had received blow. AS quick
ly the flush receded, leaving her whittier
than before.
Robert came forward to the table.
you're perfectly right, Mare" he
confessed almost inaudibly. II do love
Polly Hopkins-I-I-"
Mackenzie interrupted him by ris-
ing to his feet, his handsome face suf-
fused with anger.
"Then it's time cleared her out,
he answered. "A squatter in the FAM
ily-a thief-a liar"
Mrs. Mackenzie struggled to her
feet and began to cry.
II can't stand any MORE" che whim-
pered, Il simply can't, Marc. The way
you both quarrel over those people
gets on my nerves. You promised me
Marcus, you wouldn't ever do II
again."
All the concentrated rage he had
gathered in the past few weeks burst
forth in a vicious snap.
"Then tell your precious cousin tC
keep his nose out of my affairs, my
dearl I'm perfectly capable of attend
. ing to them. / don't wish to sell thai
land, but do intend to get rid of thai
! tribe; and both of you might Just al
well understand it now as later"
, He said it with such forceful deter
mination that Evelyn threw an en-
treating glance at Robert Uttering {
/ sharp exclamation, he turned swiftly
and went out.
The next few hours he spent II
! Ithaca, trying to turn aside the blow
! that threatened to fall upon Poll!
Hopkins. But 80 great was MacKen
zie's influence that Percival's owl
: friends shook their beads when he up
/ preached them.
Utterly cast down NV the futilityo
his mornings work On behalf Of TIL
, sOuatter girl, Robert Perclyai wende,
, his way to the Silent City, He eoul'
not let the relentless law burst N
! upon POllyop unprepared. ThrOpgl
, the settlement he hurried to the Hop
. klns sbanty and paused before u
. There still above the door was tn
printed sign,
III your hearts loving and kim
4 l.--