The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-04-28
CHAPTER XIV.

"God-Almighty. Polly brat" ex
claimed Larry Bishop one evening
what made you come out night like
this. huh?"
The girl went to the steve and In
silence extended her hands over its top
whats up, Pollyop?" the man de-
manded again, curiously, dropping into
u chair. you look something awful y
And so she did The long-lashed
eyes had gathered and held an indefin-
able expression of hatred. The fair,
lovely face knew tender sympathy no
more. She was no longer Polly Of the
Sun. For her that orb had become
merely ball in the sky, hot like the
stove and bright like the candle flame,
only more so. Nor did the pale winter
moon ever catch Ger dazzling smiles
The winking stars had forgotten weeks
ago that once squatter girl had stolen
out nightly to throw upward a kiss,
begging them to deliver 1t to the cruel
fed one there beyond them-the good
Jesus who sat on the golden throne
| and who had sent her the message by
Granny Hope that Love were strong
erin hate any day"
AS usual her feet were In Jeremiah's
boots. and as usual She wore his coat.
Her curls were covered with snow,
and as she studied the dark-faced man
she shook drops OF water from them.
She advanced toward him, choking
with emotion. Since Wee Jerry had
gone. her hours, spent In planning re-
venge. had completely exhausted her.
She was so tired that when she
reached Larry she crouched before
him on the floor and turned pale, be-
seeching face up to him.
"Tve come. Larry Bishop" she be-
gan gravely. ito ask you to help me to
even up a little with Old Marc"
The squatter's head went up and q
startled expression shot into his fierce
eyes. Then he sank lower in his chair.
and the fire died out of his counte-
nance.
who can get even with that d-n
brure?" he muttered after while.
"Squatters can't We'd all go to Au-
burn If we muss up him or his'n."
A white young face showed so close
to his that Bishop drew back.
"Who cares a d-n about Auburn"
Poilyop exclaimed roughly. 1--WE won't
go there till we've tore Old Mares |
heart to pieces an made 1t hurt like
yours does, Larry. like mine does for
Jerry an Daddy Hopkins. Wouldn't
you be willin' to spend few years In
Jail If you could make him howl an go
almost mad like me an you have,
Larfy?"
Bishop looked beyond her head into
a dark corner. II was In that spot he
Dften imagined he saw the wrath Of
his woman. His unsteady regard set
lied and the ghost woman rose mist
ly. gazing at him with unearthy eyes.
Then the pale, unsmiling phantom ex-
epded her arms and within them APP
)eared frail infant
-Godi' p burst from his lips like a
shot from q gun.
Pollyop glanced backward over her
.houider But the shudder that ran
,ver him brought her haggard face
,ack to his.
"Ain't your heart hurtin' something
,wful for your Betty woman an your
,rat now. this very minute?" she
Iueried abruptly. as II she. too. had
cen the CHASTITY thing In the corner.
God. yes !" he shivered. taking firln
old of his chin to hide the tremble OF
She seized his arm viselike. the grip
rawins a groan from the squatter.
An wouldn't you just love TO see
I'D Marc twist an squirm like
baby snake, huh7" came In
ne long. sobbing breath.
Again the shifty look Of the tortured i
IAN came to rest on the gloom beyond +
''Td die for 1t. so | would. Pollyop."
e cried. "Out with what you got In =
our bean. Poll; an I'll listen. SO help :
le God - =
Pollyop leaned heavily against him. Il
anting. She was making an effort to G
ard motion of her head. she began to
Tx In broken tones; and as she pro =
'eded, Larry Bishop raised straighter 5,
his chair q
Polly's voice trailed Into silence: q
nd Larry sent one hasty look over her
.ad The wrath smiled sadly al him II
I'd was gone. He shook himself and h
ruggled to his feet. Then broad
Icked grin spread his lips apart. AMI
laughed aloud. PoIlyop. still on The
or, laughed. too. hysterical' sobS RI
itching at her throat. and desire to | ds