Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-05-05

! ''hi' uH II a tHOuNdilu uOSlllc Eyes
were glaring Mt her.
ITS Evelyn's dress" went on the
lady. Take that coat off and let me
see"
Before Robert could interfere, Mac
Kenzie had grasped PolIyop by the
shoulders and had stripped off 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 n word.
"Twice n thief" gritted Mackenzie.
II suppose you didn't give her this,
Ever"
With n long finger he pointed at
the dress, but his eyes, sparkling with
anger, were on Evelyn.
Never had Miss Robertson been In
such 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 | didn't give 1t to her.
Why should II"
MacKenzle's sharp, you'll land
where your father Is, you huzzy,"
brought Polly's flashing glance upon
him. U%ntaught To deceive for her
W advantage, she could not fathom
Evelyn's direct falsehood. To lie for
a daddy, to keep Il squatter friend
from priSOn-yes, she would have
done that, but n dress! And Evelyn
had given 1t to her. too! She turned
her burning eyes upon the other girl,
and there she read with sickening
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,
and as If he were awaking from II
dream, he picked up the coat.
"I1l 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.
mo you won't" snapped Robert.
moving in front of Pollyop. "Tll look
after her myself, and If 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 MacKenzle's flashing eyes and
the naughty stare Of Mrs. Robertson.
AS for Evelyn, size despised the Quiv-
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 Off" said Robert distinctly, max.
ing n gesture toward her. 1.-The train
started before she could get off. Just
let us stop at MncKenney's, will your"
He had n roll of bills In his fingers
which he thrust into the officers hand.
Smilingly 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.
Jerry! Daddy Hopkins baby, went
through her mind. Wee Jerry asleep
under the cross seat!
"Wait a bit, mister" she faltered,
"wait TIL l get the baby. l were takin'
him up to see his daddy, so he
wouldn't die" Her lip trembled rs
she looked ut Mrs. Robertson. Get
up. please, ma'Am," she begged. Hes
under there, where you're sittin'!"
Mrs, Robertson and Evelyn rose i'm.
mediately and Polly pulled the shawl.
bewrappcd Jerry into full view. In
another instant Robert had snatched
up the child and pushed Polly out of
the door. lie turned about and looked
back at the other three, a dreadful
expression IN his face.
IF you stick your finger In this.
Mare" he said huskily, "you can say
goodhy to me for good" And he FOL.
lowed Polly out of the train us II
came 10 n stop.
Mackenney'S point was on the east
side Of the lake, about opposite the
Hopkins shanty, and when Robert had
helped Polly off the train and had
seen 1t pull away north, he stood d
moment considering how best to gel
her back home. He could not make
the girl tramp back TO Ithaca and Their
across the head Of the lake to the
Silent City.
Stay mere with the child" he sait
CURLY. "Tll be back In a minute"
Polly watched him duly as hi
strobe away. When he returned. h,
had In his hand a large key with
which he unfastened a b~oathouSe or
the shore. Almost before Pollyol
sensed what was happening. she wa,