The Lamar register., 1922-04-19

Such is the power of habit over a
nature like the squatter girls that
Robert faded from her mind, and Os-
car Bennett, suffering and dying, alb
sorbed her whole attention.
Cant you hear anything, oscar?"
she questioned Listen, mebbe you'll
get well. II you do, take your old
nanny an get out quick. Eve amt
worth one of your toe nails. You've
been a mean duffer, Oscar. but you're
too d-n good for her. God, but she
were wicked woman, wasn't she,
huh?"
Not a move of the heavy head on
the pillow gave evidence that she had
been heard.
She was still standing by Benefits
side when, without knocking, Robert
opened the door and came in, followed
by the doctor. Polly recognized the
stranger instantly as the medical man
who lived short distance down the
boulevard. In anxious inquiry she
glanced at Percival.
Observing that she had been weep
Ing his anger fared again. II never
occurred to him that his own cruelty
had drawn the tears from her eyes.
There was the huge farmer stretched
out on the bed; and the squatter girl
crying beside him She was mourning
over the stricken mani Robert
frowned; and hopelessly, in silence,
Polly moved aside to give the doctor
the space she had occupied.
"a bustv examination nf the M
uent, Doctor Bacon turned to Polly
Hopkins.
Something struck him." he said
shortly. You've been quarreling with
him. eh. girlf What did you hit him
With"
Accusation rang against her not
only In the speakers tones but In Rob
ert's lnarticulRte cry.
"Why did you strike him. Polly Hop
kinsf he demanded hoarsely. Did
your Speak, Did your"
That he should believe such things
of her crushed her completely. Her
head fell forward, but not until Rob
ert spoke again harshly did she an
swer
Nope" she breathed. Her tongue
felt as II 1t were covered with ashes.
"Nope, didn't hit HIM"
That was all she said. She looked
up at him pleadlngly through her thick
lashes. Perhaps he did not really be-
lieve her guilty. Yes, he did He was
still fixing upon her that sccusatory
gaze.
"He'd better be moved out Of this
around. but It's an awful night" He
considered a moment and then added:
"rll telephone to Ithaca for an ambu-
lance"
Sternly he directed a look of disgust
at Polly. He hated attending the
squatters anyway, and never would
have consented to enter the Silent City
II Robert Percival had not come for
him.
Aghast at the horror of the emer
gency. Pollyop seemed not to notice
the physicians contempt.
as he goIn' to die, misterT she
queried plaintively.
81 don't know" he replied In gruff
indecislon. as he prepared a draught.
When everything within human
power had been done for Oscar Ben
nett, Robert allowed the doctor to pass
out of the hut before him. Then. like
a shot, he turned back to Polly's side.
His eyes blazed with jealousy; and
quickly II crossed her mind that he
was going to strike her. Oh How she
wished he would and then take back
all the cruel words he had hurled at
herl
"When you said you loved me. you
lied," he gritted savagely. You knew
all the time you had him. You let me
kiss youl You said love was the
greatest thing In the world oh. God
How l wish l could hate you'll"
Polly could not speak, neither could
she move. Imprisoned tragedy lay In
the depths of her eyes. If he had been
less violent. she would have implored
him to trust her.
Percival really hoped she would re-
sent his accusations. Stormy denials
would have been sweet music to his
ears. He would have welcomed even
a torrent of abuse from her. Anything
was less maddening than this sinister
silence that seemed to put the stamp
of truth upon his cousins explanation
Of Bennett's presence.
why don't you speak?" he rasped.
When she showed no signs of an