The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-04-27
illustrated 5byR Livingstone
BY LittleSBrown and Company

Il squstter.
"of course | couldn't do that" she
returned sharply Why-why should
you want"
The squstter girls gaze lifted to
the speakers face, and tears welled
over the fringed lids Then Evelyn
read the truth; and Ter eyes gllnted
and narrowed.
"Merclful Heavens. you're IN love
with my cousin?" she exclaimed. is
that what you meanY"
The brown head fell forward, aud
q fisme-hot face was hidden in the
chestnut curls.
"And he loves you too" cried Ey-
elyn. In disdain. "What fool | was
not to discover that before How per-
fectly awful That's what has been
the matter with him for months.
She snatehed Pollyops arm and
shook her
Its absolutely mad OF you 10 think
OF my cousin In that way" she con-
tinued, her voice hOarse with fear.
Promise me again you'll never tell
him about Oscar?"
Pollyop shook her head.
"rve never told nothin'; I've said I
wouldn't" she replied thickly, almost
sullenly.
Then Evelyn smiled. Tie dimples
played hide and go seek at the cor
neds OF her lovely mouth. The steely-
blue CLINT faded from her eyes, leay-
ing them the color OF heavenly tints.
She was certain her secret was as safe
In the breast Of Polly Hopkins as ii
was In the heart OF the dead Oscar.
"You shall see your father" she
said, dropping her hand, "and you can
have any dress | have 10 wear. Come
up tonight, at seven. The folks will
be at dinner; and I'll slip out and bring
you in"
Then she went away. leaving Polly
Hopkins alternately plunged iino the
depths of despair when she thought OF
Robert Perciyal and singing with
gladness over the JOY in store for
Wee Jerry and Daddy Hopkins.
II was still broad day when Polly
Hopkins left Wee Jerry playing by
the waters edge with some squatter
youngsters aud started for the Robert
soli home True TO her word, Evelyn
met her in the grape arbor at seven
and hastily led her up the back stairs
TO her bedroom
There are the closets" she said.
Take anything you like, Polly. but
the other maids are busy. I'll go down
for fear someone will come to find me.
There's the dinner gong"
once alone in the beautiful room,
Polly's gaze swept It's broad dimen
sions. II did not occur TO her TO coyet
the least of these gorgeous surround
ings she only wanted something to
wear TO Auburn, something TO cele-
brate her visit and do Daddy Hopkins
proud. She swung open closet door
and peered in.
The sound of laughter somewhere in |
the house sent a wave OF terror over
her She snatched at the first gown |
under her hand. rolled IL into a bun |
die and fed down the stairs Until |
she vas In the lane again. she did not 4
breathe easily.
once back In the shanty Pollyop hid /
the dress beneath her bed without even /
daring to look at H. How Evelyn was
10 arrange the visit 70 Auburn. she
did no, know but of one thing she was
sure. she had beautiful dress 10
wear.
After she had put the child 20 bed,
aud the door was securely locked, Pol
ly drew the curtains tightly over the
small windows. Even the corners u
the room lost their shadows and @The
Mother In the World" scented
10 stand out more plainly than even
when the sun sh0ne
pollyop placed her warm cheek
against the picture and smiled She
earnestly believed this wonder-mpiher
was helping her Ia 20 and see Daddy
Hopkins She turned and looked long
.nsiy III ftc sick little man. then up-
ward o. ihe womaHs face.
You've done SO much for me an
Jerry. ma'am." she whispered 'Aeo-
be- sometime you'd maEe--h.nl- smile
Just once at NEE
Then she io0k tire hunfIe FROM uu
DER her oat and spread out her treas
ure. % VAS a delicate shlmmeriug
siik and in it vas the color n the
san iust before De sailed over the
western hin on his journey around
The earth. There could not b. such
smother beautiful gown IN al the
worid Poiif thought Tlen she SLOW
b Slipped from her owu ragged dress