Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-06-08
dress you have on, Miss; where'd you

Polly's under lip dropped. 1t
seemed as II thousand hostile eyes
were glaring at her.
"It's Evelyn's Dress" went on the
lady. 'HTake that coat off and let me
see."
Before Robert could interfere, Mac
Kenzie had grasped Pollyop by the
shoulders and had stripped or the
heavy coat. And there she stood, her
bare young arms and sunburned neck
exposed, her scarlet face hidden by a
handful Of curls. She was SO ever
whelmed with shame she could not
say a word.
'Twice a thief" gritted Mackenzie.
II suppose you didn't give her this,
Ever"
With one long finger he pointed at
the dress, but his eyes, sparkling with
anger, were on Evelyn.
Never had Miss Robertson been in
such a dilemma. Never had she felt
so much like quietly falnting away.
did your demanded Marc, once
more.
mo, no." denied the girl, trembling.
mo, Of course l didn't give it to her.
Why should II"
MacKenzie's sharp, "You'll land
where your father is, you huzzy,"
brought Polly's flashing glance upon
him. Untaught to deceive for her
own advantage, she could not fathom
Evelyn's direct falsehood. To lie for
daddy, to keep sQuatter friend
from prisOn-yes, she would have
done that, but a dressl And Evelyn
had given 1t to- her, tool She turned
her burning eyes upon the other girl,
and there she read with slckening
certainty that the gift Of the robe
must be buried in the grave with Os-
car Bennett. If Jerry had not been
tucked away back Of the skirts Of the
two women, Polly would have made
a dash for liberty, but she could not
leave the baby. Would no one help
herr Her eyes sought Roberts face,
dream, he picked up the coat.
9TH hand her over to the conduc-
ear" Marcus proceeded. Hell know
what to do with her." and he put out
his hand to grasp her.
"No you won't" snapped Robert,
moving in front Of Pollyop. 'Tll look
after her myself, and II you folks want
to stay friendly with me. just don't
mention this" He held out the coat
to Polly Hopkins. "Put it on" he or
dered; and instantly she obeyed him.
What he was going to do with her,
POllyop did not know, but this thing
she did realize: Jerry could not see
Daddy Hopkins that day. She longed
to be back in the shanty, to get away
from MacKenzie's flashing eyes and
the naughty stare Of Mrs. Robertson.
As for Evelyn, she despised the qulv-
ering girl with all her STRAIGHTFORWARD
self.
browning, Robert stepped to the
door and called the conductor: and
when the official appeared, Polly shiv-
cred to her toes. The very sight Of
his uniform suggested trouble for her
and Jerry.
"A friend Of mine came down TO see
us or" said Robert distinctly, max
ing a gesture toward her. "The train
started before she could get of. Just
let us STOP. at MacKenney's, will your
He had roll Of bills in his fingers
which he thrust into the officers hand.
SmilingIy the man bowed and jerked
the cord over his head.
"We're right there now, SIR" said
he.
"Thanks," replied Robert. THANKS !"
and "Come," he said to Pollyop.
Jerryl Daddy Hopkins baby, went
through her mind. Wee Jerry asleep
under the cross seatl
.Wait a bit, mister" she faltered,
swat till get the baby. were takin'
him up to see his daddy, so he
wouldn't die" Her lip trembled as
she looked at Mrs. Robertson. "Get
up, please, ma'am," she begged. "He's
under there, where you're slttln'I"
Mrs. Robertson and Evelyn rose I'M
medIately and Polly pulled the shawl.
bewrapped Jerry into full view. In
another instant Robert had snatched
up the child and pushed Polly out of
the door. He turned about and looked
back at the other three, dreadful
expression on his face.
s'If you stick your finger in this,
Marc" he said huskily, "'yOu can say
gOodby to me for good" And he fol-
lowed Polly out Of the train as II
came to stop.
MacKenney's point was on the east
side OF the lake, about opposite the
Hopkins shanty, and when Robert had
helped Polly OF the train and had
seen 1t pull away north. he stood a
moment considering how best to get
her back home. He could not make
the girl tramp back to Ithaca and then
across the head Of the lake to the
Silent City.
"Stay nere with the child" he said
CURLY. 'T'll be back IN a minute"
Polly watched him duly as he
strobe away. When he returned, he
had in his hand large key with
which he unfastened a boathouse on
tha ehnro Almost hoforo pollvof