The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-05-11

gtftfM IRttNNH
the settlement he hurried TO the Hop
kins shanty and paused before t.
There still above the door was the
printed sign.
III your hearts loving and kind
come right IN II Il amt scoot on"
An. surely be did love her In spite
Of What she had done As 8 traveller
In q dry and thirsty land longs for
fresh water So he desired Polly Hop.
kins. Vain had been his efforts to
tear her image from his heart. often
he had been tempted 10 marry her
and take her out OF her dreadful cir
cumstsnces. but each time the desire
came 10 him. the vision of the dying
farmer killed II.
Broodingly his eyes swept the mar
row lake and the eastern. rearing hills
He remembered how he and Polly
Hopkins had sat together on the rag
ged rocks. watching the clouds sweep
over the sky above. like fiocks OF birds
across wOnder-hlue water.
With a groan he threw on these
memories. and striding forward. he
raped on the hut door
Polly Hopkins opened IL. looked at
him. bent her head but spoke no word.
II want TO talk TO you, child" was
the excuse he gave: and still silent.
she moved backward and allowed him
20 enter the room.
Now that he was there, Robert felt
AZ II he could not force bis tongue to
say the things she must hear. He was
oppressed by his utter failure to keep
the promise made that day before
The Greatest Mother In the World
and knew not how 10 explain II.
Polly" he had commenced, when
Pollyop. because she was so tired, so
forlornly helpless, began to sob bit
terly. The sight o. him after all these
weary days quite overcame her.
Don't" he lnterJected impetuously.
please don't do that"
Her tears only added to the remorse
that scourged him and gave new vital
lty to his passion; but like wall OF
fire between them. burned his Jealousy
of Oscar Bennett.
II want TO help you" he stammered.
Pollyop shook her head.
"You can't do nothln' unless you get
my daddy back" she whispered.
"Jerry'll die"
This gave a slight opening. and Rob
ert grasped at II eagerly.
~ came to talk about him." he In
terrupted. "Now please don't cry any
more. Don'ti SIT down minute"
He placed her In a chair, going white
as his hand touched her. "You say the
child Is III, Pollyopf" he went on. but
paused as Polly nodded her head
yep, he's sick all right" she re
turned. wiplng her eyes.
'Then perhaps II he went away
somewhere, to place where he'd
have good food and care until his ia
ther-"
Al his words the girl suddenly grew
rigidly erect. hut the plteous trembling |
of her lips made the young man avert |
his eyes.
"Squatter babies grow on the grub
squatters give EN-" she replied huski-
ly. "All they need Is bread an beans
an love" she hesitated and swallowed |
hard before she continued: "An' lots
of love- That's what's ailin' Wee
Jerry. He wants his daddyl"
But. Polly" Robert tried TO check
the flow Of her words. but she ran on
"He'd die sure In a strange place.
Nope Jerry stays In the shanty with
me"
There was such an air Of finality In
her infection and appearance that
Percival grOaned within himself and
nervously paced the length Of the
room and back He simply could not
tell her. How could he place another
burden upon the already bowed young
shoudcrsl
Then the matter was taken out OF
his hands. The roll of carriage wheels.
an unusual sound in the settlement.
came distinctly n their ears and
caused the girl to throw him
startled. questioning glance Before
he could give her the least warning
The door flung open, and Mackenzie
by three men, came into the
shanty.
Marcus had not expected TO find his
sife's cousin there after the scene Of
that morning. A sneer tugged az the
corners Of his mouth. Then, remem-
Dering that he represented the county,
b slow smile curled his lips
$50 you're here. young man. he
snarled ''Well. muddllng IN this busi-
hess won't Do you any good Didn't ]
.eil sou yesterday What intended 70
10. and you had the nerve 70 upset
uy wife about IT, You're making
yourself the laughing stock of the
Ftole town, New you'd better 90 q
gou don't want 20 witness iit
.omely thatu stick in your memory
oF manv a long day.
Tie 81 nker turned tn Pe'lYar