The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-03-16
(contirned)
CHAPTER W

Twice had the golden sun sunk In
welter OF splendid colors behind
West hill. and twice had the warmth
OF his rising scattered the mists from
the lakeside since the encounter In the
hut. and Polly Hopkins was making
ready for her daily walk through the
Silent city.
II was her custom 10 20 among the
squatters and give them courage, to
tell them that they had right TO
their homes. TO food. and warmth. How
her girls heart ached for their dumb
misery Surely the squstters had suf-
fered in the past year Many boy
had been taken from his home and
sent 10 France. and many mother
had crept about the settlement with
griefworn face. waiting for news from
over the sea.
Pollyop understood what war meant
The squatters were always at war
Granny Hope had explained TO her
that. whenever people fought and were
cruel TO one another. that was war.
Hadn't she warred but two nights ago
with Oscar Bennettfs
She had not seen him since. and the
pain aud humiliation he had dealt her
had been lightened by Granny Hopes
assurances that love was the leveler
OF hate. So Polly, having quantities
OF love and sympathy 10 spare. sent II
broadcast over the hopeless ones 10
the settlement and promptly put Os.
car Benefits cruelty out OF her mind
She did not even remember sometimes
how much the milk Oscar had be
grudgingly given her was missed In
the shack. To offset that deprivation,
she was free from him and the ugly
quarrels she had had 10 settle almost
daily between him and Evelyn.
This morning while Daddy Hopkins
was In Ithaca, pollyop starte3 out
with her many loves for walk on
her shoulder perched Wee Jerry; at
her side, In stately dignity. stalked the
bflly goat. and tied TO one Of her arms
by a small rope gamboled Mamie
Lamb Hopkins
Through the Silent City she wan.
dered. helping people here and there
90 see the sunny side Of things. BE.
yond the row Of shacks was the fence
Marcus Mackenzie had erected to
keep the squatters from trespasslna
on his woodland and In front Of IL
Polly Hopkins stood. A bill poster
had passed and left on the fence a pic
fure that caught her attention
II was q beautiful woman. her eyes
saddened with tears. and she looked
straight out Of exquisite coloring at
the wide-eyed squatter girl. In her
arms was a withered. sick, little man
and Pollyop knew that somewhere over
the ocean an enemy. perhaps a man
like Old Mare. had hurt him. The
woman held him close as she looked
at Polly. and for a moment the girls
eyes stung with tears. Then she went
closer to the fence aud spelled out the
words under the picture The Great.
80, Mother I'm the World"
All So she was this protector Of
the hurt and The sick The Red Cross
poster carried its wondrous message
10 the very bottom Of the squatter
girls heart
A sound. close at hand, caused her 1
10 turn swiftly. A man on horseback 4
had drawn up on the side Of the road. 1
The blood came IN swift leaps to /
Polly's face. There was the 'beauti. 4
ful angel" looking down upon her /
What could she do but stare back az 4
him1 IN another instant be Rad dis 4
mounted and vas coming toward her. /
Jerry std from Ter shoulders g. the 4
ground Poliyop's hand clasped bis 4
but she dld not speaE. What had hap
pened 10 her -angely lie looked ar. .
ferenfs more IKE fhe other men size .
occasionally snw on horseback That .
was itt lie Was not wearing tie olive /
drab Uniform To add to Der c1afu- +
sion Robert Percival was shilling al i
her in the most friendly uay Then
he glanced % at the picture bis hne /
face saddsulng.
AAF AfEAtfeA tA@tAaHs tA ta.N ~ tttfA 4
little girl be said. and he smiled (
again.
The Greatest Mother IN the Worid- 4
repeated Poilyop, 10 awed tones
''Does that mean she's mother 70 the /
squatier Kids whAi vas hurt In the 4
war. misterT
YES. he repiiet after shcrt pause
Yes. G; means that. ard more shes
mother 10 every hurt boy and brings /
comfort % every one On earth that
needs h.lp-