Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-03-17

persisted in coming up IN her tnroat.
"You needn't spiel lovin's to me, Os-
car" she gulped, IAN I believe in be-
In honest. So, before your woman
comes, I might as we'll give you a bit
Of my mind. If I owned you from your
cap to your boots, I wouldn't use you
for doormat in front of Daddy's
shantyW
He shot a look Of amaZement. The
confident smile faded from his face,
and his lips sagged at the corners.
Then he arose to his feet.
'T been thinking about you all day.
he broke forth. you've got every
thing-looks, action and brains. /
want you, Pollyop and I'm going to
kiss you this time, so help me God"
He took a step toward her and Polly
scrambled up Just at that moment
Evelyn Robertson entered. Oscar Ben
nett turned swiftly. and Polly, very
pale, placed herself at Ewes side. And
as the wind foamed the lake to fury
and sh,cK Granny Hopes forsaken lit
tie hut, the man and two girls stood
silent long, tense minute.
Then Oscar smiled at. Evelyn, tri-
umphant, insulting smile.
$50 you thought 1t best to mind me,
my lady, he laughed. ~ guess after
while you'll come to know l mean
what say" Q
Eve tried to speak but could not.
Polly squeezed her arm encouragingly.
you're a mean duffer, Oscar" she
thrust in. "Your woman's scared Of
YOU, that's all. Try bein' better, an
see how she likes It,"
"She's got good right to be id
scared" grunted Bennett. "Now out
with 1t, Eve. What's the rumpus? You
haven't sent me a cent for month"
With shaking fingers Evelyn pushed
back her wind-blown hair.
''T couldn't get any money, Oscar"
she walled. "My allowance is all gone.
gave every cent Of 1t to you. You
know very well mother won't give me
any more" . ...
She had one card left to play, and
she hoped it would take the trick.
Il might as well tell yOu," she con-
tinued, the steel in = her eyes wiping
away the blue. Mother hasn't any
money. All, l thought we had belongs
70 Cousin Bob"
She ceased speaking and waited an
instant to note how her news struck
her husband. He flung up clenched
fist.
"The devil take you, Eve !" he cried.
.'Don't try to put anything over on me
like that You're the biggest liar in
Tompkins county"
That he partly believed her showed
in his manner.
"Td never a married you If I'd a
known that two years ago." Oscar as
serted hoarsely. "You can be dead
certain of that, my lady. You were
pretty careful to keep your money
troubles to yourself. Sit down, both Of
you! You're shivering like two cats"
Impulsively Evelyn went toward him.
"Oh, Oscar, listen, listen to me-" she
said, trying to steady her voice. II
want to be free. can't, l can't live
this way any longer"
4 coarse oath fell from Benefits
lips.
"You don't need to-" he shouted.
"You got home to come. tony
home. You can do the work my old
mothers doing IT'S your job, not hers.
You're my wife. by ginger, and as 1
said TO POllyop here, you live with me,
OF you pay up. I don't give a tlnker's
d-n which you do"
His voice grew deep as he finished,
and an evil, taunting smile drew up
his lips. Evelyn shuddered and swayed,
and Polly slipped one arm around her
waist.
"You want to be free from me, ell?
That's it, Is it," he sneered. "Some
other guy looming up to love, / s'pose.
Well, I don't mind who gets my leav-
ings If YOU make It worth my while.
But II not"
Evelyn's pale, besecching face lifted
to his. She could not quit him with
ont his promise that she should have
her freedom. Neither must he think
that she could get him large sum
Of money.
~ can't get another dollar" she re-
peated hoarsely. 81 simply can't. And
and I must be free"
A frOwn drew the mans heavy
brows together until they touched, and
he lifted his fist to strike; but Polly
Hopkins, by one swift movement,
thrust Evelyn from under the mans
upraispd arm and crowded in between
them. Because Evelyn was his wife,
he had the right to beat her If he
pleased, Polly thought, but he would
not dare to strike Polly. o
"If you've got to swat some one, Os-
car" she gritted between her teeth,
swat me-"
The beautiful white face came close
to Benefits, and the challenge in the
sQuatter girls flashing eyes stirred a
feeling within him that he never had
had for Evelyn Robertson. Oscar had
always believed that q woman must