The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-08-10

The grave young squatter contem-
plated her for the space OF twenty
seconds, perhaps.
you're afraid OF the fishermen, amt
you, Mlss7" she asked. "well. you've
got right to be- Larry's different
from the rest, though he was as will
in, up to this night, to chop Off your
head, rs me. But Larry's hearts soft
and kind, Larry's is"
I'm afraid Of everybody" gasped
Evelyn. Everybody but you, Polly.
Please. take me with you. or-or-
let me stay till morning"
slight shake of Pollyop's head
brought Evelyn to a sitting position,
but paln.racked bones aud nerves laid
her back again.
"There," interjccted the other girl.
"You can see how hard it'd be TO get
you through the snow to your mas
house You'd die before you got there.
I'm bhest II you wouldn't. No, got to
go alone, Miss"
Noting the fear In Mrs. Mackenzle's
eyes, she bent over the cot.
"Will you believe something I'm go
in to tell you, Ever she said in a
wheedling tone.
"Surely will, Polly" answered
Evelyn, wiping her eyes, "but I'm so
afraid, so awfully afraid"
That's no lie," replied Pollyop I'm
petuously. IAN as l said, you got a
right to be scared of the squatters.
Why, only this afternoon l hated you
an Old Marc as hard as the rest OF
the Silent City folks-more, mebbe |
But-but what was really goIn' to
tell you is this. If | lug you along
with me, you won't have no baby In
the summer. That's Gods truth I'm
tellln' you, too"
Evelyn lowered her lids, and pain
full flush mounted to her hair.
you're wantln' the little thing,
amt your demanded Polly, her voice
vibrant with emotion. "Now, be big
woman, an stay while I'm gone, viii
you? I'll promise to hustle for all
I'm worth"
Mrs. Mackenzle's tlmid glance ran
around the room.
81 suppose So" she whlmpered, "but
what II some of your people came
hereT" She shuddered and went on
hurrledly: "Polly, whatre you going
TO sar to MarcusT
81 don't know yet" mumbled Polly.
op, "but I'll bring him back. oh,
got It'll Say, I'll stick you away In
Granny Hopes coop-hole. No squat
terd think to go In there, even II he
comes in. Herel I'll help you"
Tenderly she coaxed and begged
but without avail, and patiently Polly
sat down on the side of the cot.
"Mlss Eve" she took up in low
tones, I'm goln' tc tell you some
thing Granny Hope told me. Now, yor
want to get home to your man. dom
your?
"Yes, yes, oh, so bad, Pollyop," erie,
Evelyn, "but l can't stay here alone
l can'tl l can'tr
She did not think then of the man!
days and nights. the other girl haC
passed by herself In the same littl'
shack.
"Mebbe It does seem so, Eve" salt
Polly Hopkins. "But, honey, whei
I'm done you'll be tbinkln' different
Now, listen don't you know way dow
in your lnsides that your mans near
ly sufferin' his life awayT
Evelyn burst forth into weeping
afresh.
"Of course know It, Polly" sh,
sobbed, "but-"
AN you want him to be waillng al
er you're in the land Of the. llvln' o
not, huh?"
This was a solemn question aske,
by a very solemn-eyed girl.
Another thing" continued Polly
"When II comes daybreak, there'll b
a lot OF squatters about. They com
/ every day TO this hut. I'd have I
leave you then, wouldn't II Tonlgh
It's stormin', an most OF 'em are 4
bed. l could run as fast as a rabbi
an be back In a jlffy. Can't yo
screw up your courage an let me goI
This long statement Evelyn though
over for a few moments. Then:
Perhaps could, If"
II know you can" interrupted Po
iyop. "Now, listen; Granny Hope sal
anything you want you can have ou
of loves own heart for the askln'."
"But I'm such a wicked girl,
; moaned Evelyn dlsmally.
$50 be l." returned Pollyop prompt
ly. "We're both rotten bad, Go
knows, but never mind all that nov
got to get Old Marc; an the onl
,, way you can help is 20 stay qult
while I'm out for him. Now, lean o
me an I'll stow you away In the rul
bish room till get back"
, Ashamed to make further appeal
. to the girl who was showing nor
: spirit than she had ever thought POI
, slble for any girl to show, Evelyn a
lowed PollyOp TO pick her up an
| stand her ON the floor