The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-05-05
Copyright BY Little, Brown s. Co.

q warmer glow about her heart wher
| she thought Of Daddy Hopkins. AVA,
eff up there fl the gloom of tile prison
| he had received mothers benedic.
/ lion; Polly believed this with al her
soul. Jerry and she too had come IN
for their share; and this new conf.
dence lifted the shadow from her eyes
a little and lessened the sfabbing hurt
IN her side.
The thing that tormented her most
was Jerry's constant mourning for his
father. Day by day she had racked
her brainsf0r ways TO amuse him, but
M soon as the novelty OF the play had
| worn off, the oid-tlme cry would be-
gin:
'sWnnt 70 play horse wifi my Daddy
Hopklnsi Wee Jerry wants Daddy
| Hopkins r.
| @She was looking at him one morn
Ing after one OF his spells OF weeping,
and wistfully considering If there
might be why to hurry him off TO
Auburn for day, when Evelyn Rob
ertson suddenly appeared In the
| shanty door.
For long time Eyelyn's conscience
had made her uncomfortable. Even
though her days were exceedingly
busy. the remembrance Of the squatter
girls pale, pleading face tormented
her. and she was fearful Pollyop
might not keep the promise she Ind
made. and Marcus Mackenzie would
be lost forever
So astounded was Polly Hopkins to
see the girl that SHE neglected to ask
| her In. Overlooking this, Miss Rob
ertson stepped into the room In en-
barrassment.
''poIyop," she began, catching her
breath, u just had TO speak to you.
I'm going TO be married to Mr.. McKen-
gle, and ! came 10 talk to you about 1t
and--and to bring the baby some
candy"
Her expression grave with surprise,
Polly scrutinized her coldly.
"Jerry'd rather have his Daddy
Hopkins than candy" she retorted,
frowning.
Miss Robertson drew back a little,
shaking her head.
II couldn't manage that, I'm nfraids
she said soberly, but
Pollyop shifted uneaslly.
"Mebbe you could get Old Marc to
say could take Jerry to Auburn,
thenl" she ventured "Jerryll die If
he don't see his daddy. He's gettin'
thinner an thinner every day. He's
been yelling like mad all m0rnIn'."
Evelyn pondered on this an instant
Eyes, could do that, I'm sure" she
answered smiling broadly. "Pd love
TO do 1t, too
The forlorn droop at the corners
Of Polly's mouth disappeared.
"Mebbe, II could get something to
wear she hesitated.
II had never occurred to Miss Rob-
ertson how PolIyop managed for cloth
Ing. She had so much herself she was
blind TO another's need but, as she
had come TO demand favor, then per-
haps she had better offer as much as
she could.
Polly" she calculated. you've been
awfully good TO me, aud you can have
amy one OF my dresses you want, and
keep It too. And I'll persuade Mr..
Mackenzie to get you permit to go
to Auburn
Polly felt her heart grow big. Then,
after all, she could take Wee Jerry to
his daddy.
X s'spose--I s'spose.n she hesitated,
trembling, "you couldn't fell your cous-
in--" Her throat caught In a sob but
she cleared 1t, and went on, "just tell
I'M Oscar wasn't my manT"
Evelyn Robertson had often lived
over the horror of the minutes when
the shameful secret of her marriage
to Oscar Bennett was so nearly dis
closed to Robert Percival More than
once had she congratulated herself
upon the eleyerness with which she
had avoided that danger. To he sure
her escape had been at the expense
OF Poiiy's reputation. She regretted
the necessity but reasoned that good
name could not be much Of loss TO
a squatter
"0f course / couldn't do that" she
returned sharply. "Why-why should
you want"
The sQuatter girls gaze lifted TO
the speakers face, and tears welled
over the frinsed lids. Then Evelyn
read the truth; and ter eyes gllnted
and narrowed.
"MercifuI Heavens, you're In love
with my cousin?" she exclaimed. rs
that what sou mean?"
The brown head fell forward, and
flame-hot face was hidden in the
chestnut curls.
'.An6 he loves you, too" cried Ev-
elyn. in disdain what a fool was
not to discover that beforel How per
fectly awful That's what has been
tile matter with him FOR months"
She snatched pslIycrs arm and
shook her.
Its absolutely rad OF yep 10 think
Of my cousin in that way" she con-
tinued. her voice hoarse with fear.