Middletown transcript., 1922-03-25

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for Marcus Mackenzie.
At last one day, crushed with ap-
prehension and despair, Jeremiah
Hopkins decided that one Of them
should go to Robert Percival to ask
his aid In keeping the settlement to-
gether. Polly was so sure he would
keep his word to her-now they would
give him the chance.
ITS a choice Of the three Of you,
Poll" said Lye Braeger, "you or your
daddy or Larry Bishop"
"He wouldn't listen to me, lassie," :"
Hopkins mourned. "Mebbe he would
to you. l dunno, but mebbe."
Before the girls sensitive mind
flashed the face of Robert, and she hid
her red cheeks aPsinst the speakers
knee.
"Oh, couldn't never 60 to i'm,
Daddy honey" she murmured. "Please,
Daddy"
1--WE amt got chance without
some ones help, Poll" insisted Brae-
ger. "You go along, an do your d-dest
for the sQuatters!"
"All right, Lye," she managed to say.
"Ill go after Jerry's in bed, an the
supper's over"
So 1t came to pass that nightfall
found Polly Hopkins struggling up the
hill to the railroad tracks. She turned
south on the boulevard and stole eau
tiously along the edge of the road
She had no desire to meet Old Marc
or Evelyn. AS she went on she MUIR
INJURED to herself some Of the love
words Granny Hope had planted in
her memory, and when she turned into
the carriageway leading to the Rob-
ertson home, she held her head little
higher and walked with less nervous
ness.
Around and around the house she
crept, until with trepidation she
mounted the steps leading to the front
porch and tiptoed to long French
window. 1t was partly open and there,
seated before table, was the man she
sought.
Polly knocked once, but the sound
was so faint Robert did not hear it.
Hist" came from between Polly's
lips, and the young man glanced up.
At the sight of her he got to his feet
slowly. Then Polly showed the win
dow open crack and squeezed into
the room.
A strange mixture Of conflicting ex-
pressions swept over his face, hut
pleasure at the sight Of her predomi-
mated them all.
"Pollyop!" he exclaimed. "PoIly
Hopkins, what's the matter?"
"Old Mares goin' to turn us all out,
mister" she whispered huskily, search
ing his face, "an' Daddy sent me to
ask you to help us"
Robert drew one hand across his
brow helplessly.
"I've said everything I could to
make him understand the crime of It
all" he apologized. "He's like crazy
man! can't see how he can think of
such thing, even though your peo-
pie were willing to go, Polly"
I'VE amt; we can't CO." she replied.
quivering. There amt place in the
world for squatters but the Silent
City"
II know It," he returned gloomily.
"And can't Love do nothin' for us?"
implored the girl. Granny Hope says
1t can, an once II heard you say
twas the-the-"
Just at that moment the sound of
footsteps was heard outside in the hall.
Robert thrust out his hand, grasped
Polly by the shoulders, and In another
moment she found herself behind the
thick curtain hanging in heavy folds
over rows Of books which rose to the
ceiling.
The door opened; and Percival spun
around to meet Marcus Mackenzie.
He crushed down his embarrassment
and offered his visitor a chair.
Evelyn sent me for book" Mar
Gus explained. "Pardon me for dis
turbing you, old chap"
"Sit down." Robert requested with
an effort.
Marcus shook his head.
Il can't" he replied. "Eve and l
are confabing over something. l told
her I'd get book and come right
back"
He made movement to walk to-
ward the book shelves; but Robert
stopped him.
You've got to sit down." he said
gruffiy. II want to talk to you."
I'm minute, then," returned Mar
Gus. "I'll get the book first"
Very white, Robert walked before
Mackenzie to the bookcase. Then
with one sweep of his arm he moved
aside the curtain and with it-Polly
Hopkins. He could feel beneath the
thick material the slender, qniverlng
body. And there, as the two men
stood facing the shelves laden with
the masterpieces of the world, and
Marcus was running his eye up and
down, Robert felt that first wonder
full protective love that comes to a
man when he is shielding woman.
Evelyn said 1t was here" observed
Mackenzie carelessly. 'Let me look |
d. It ought to be |
on this shelf"
He read aloud the names of the |
books under his eye while still the |
strong hand of his companion held up |
the curtain and the girl.
"Ah. here 1t is" came IN exclama-
tion. "Therel Thanks, Bob! Now
I'll sit down minute"
He. walked back to the table. and