Okolona messenger., 1922-04-13
CHAPTER v-cOntlnued.

"ohICN " 1903 Wy " yOu IHIS
morning, Poll" Oscar ran on. "Its
a funny thing, but 1 reckon care
more for your little finger than for
Ewes whole body. Maybe some day
after l get all her cash -"
Polly cOughed down a lump that
persisted in coming up in her throat
"You needn't spiel lovin's to me, Os-
car" she gulped. "an' I believe in be-
in honest. So, before your woman
comes, / might as well give you bit
Of my mind. If / owned you from your
cap to your boots, wouldn't use you
for a doormat in front Of Daddy's
shantyw
He shot look Of amazement. The
confident smile faded from his face,
and his lips sagged at the corners.
Then he arose to his feet.
II been thinking about you all day."
he broke forth. "YOu've got every
thing-looks, action and brains.
want you, Pollyop and I'm going to
kiss you this time, so help me God"
He took step toward her and Polly
scrambled up. Just at that moment
Evelyn Robertson entered. Oscar Ben
nett turned swiftly, and Polly, very
pale, placed herself at Ewes side. And
as the wind foamed the lake to fury
and shook Granny Hopes forsaken lit
tie hut, the man and two girls stood
silent a long, tense minute.
ThoD Oc0or c0ni1cd of Ex,o1UvN ., kV.i
umphant, insulting smile.
$50 you thought 1t best to mind me,
my lady," he laughed. II guess after
a while you'll come to know l mean
what say"
Eve tried to speak but could not.
Polly squeezed her arm encouragingly.
You're mean duffer, Oscar" she
thrust in. "Your woman's scared of
you, that's all. Try bein' better, an
see how she likes It,"
"She's got good right to be id
scared" grunted Bennett. "Now out
with 1t, Eve. What's the rumpus? You
haven't sent me cent for month"
With shaking fingers Evelyn pushed
OANh ACA
II couldn't get any money, Oscar"
she walled. "My allowance is all gone.
l gave every cent of it to you. You
know very well mother won't give me
any more"
She had one card left to play, and
she hoped it would take the trick.
Il might as well tell you," she con-
tinued, the steel in her eyes wiping
away the blue. Mother hasn't any
money. All I thought we had belongs
to Cousin Bob"
She ceased speaking and waited an
instant to note how her news struck
her husband. he flung up a clenched
fst.
"The devil takeiyou, Evei" he cried.
"Don't try to put anything over on me
like that. You're the biggest liar in
Tompkins county"
That he partly believed her showed
in his manner.
'Td never "a married you II I'd a
known that two years ago." Oscar as
serted hoarsely. "You can be dead
certain of that, my lady. You were
pretty careful to keep your money
troubles to yourself. Sit down, both Of
you'll You're shivering like two cats"
Impulsively Evelyn went toward him.
ooh. Oscar, listen. listen to me-" she
said, trying to steady her voice. II
want to be free. can't, I can't live
this way any longer"
A coarse oath fell from Benefits
lips.
"You don't need to-" he shouted.
"You got home to come to-my
home. You can do the work my old
mothers doing. It's your Job, not hers.
You're my wife, by ginger, and as l
said to Pollyop here, you live with me.
or You pay up. don't give a tinker's
d--n which you do"
His voice grew deep as he finished,
and an eyil. taupting smile drew up
hiS lips. Evelyn shuddered and syaZed.