The Lamar register., 1922-04-05
CoPyri8ht BY Lit1eIBrown and Company

the recollection of her fathers des-
perate need overwhelmed her. and she
walled: "Your men planted squirrel
on I'm, sir; Daddy said so. an Jerry
saw EN-"
To Percival. watching the man and
girl, came the conviction that she had
told the truth, and that Mackenzie
knew she had. Before he could break
in, Polly spoke again.
"Please, SIR" she begged, please,
Mr.. Mackenzie, give I'm back to me-
You can. Do 1t, an, an. oh, God, I'll
die for you"
She fell forward on her knees; and
then Marcus Mackenzie laughed again.
Lower and lower fell the curly head.
for the sarcastic sound told her more
plainly than any words could have
done that she would get no aid from
him.
Robert stopped and lifted her up.
"D-n you, Marcl Stop !" he de
manded. Its wicked. downright
wickedr" And to her he murmured; /;
"Poor little grill Poor little Polly"
He tried to lead her away; but how
could she go without making another
effort7 She turned to Evelyn.
you do something, ma'aml" she
implored. please do 1t quick, an,
an" A light leapt into her eyes and
she burst out: ''Mebbe some day you'll
be askin' me big favor, an here's my
word before God, do it,"
For a short space of time the two
girls stared into each others eyes, but
Evelyn's fell first. She sank back
Imply.
Take her away, Robertr she
groaned. ITS too dreadful"
After Pollyop and Robert had gone,
she turned swiftly on Marcus.
II wish they were all dead. those
wretched sQ,atters," she said fret
fully, and frowning, Mackenzie con-
tinued his breakfast In silence.
Miserable days passed for the en-
tire squatter settlement. That the
right arm of the Silent City had been
Topped OF when Hopkins was impris-
oned showed plainly In the AFFECTION
Of Its inhabitants. Every countenance
was wrinkled with anxiety; and still
the strange men lowered about the
lakeside.
Ugly rumors circulated through the
Silent City. 1t was said that to fix a
felony on Hopkins. the officers claimed
that In searching him, before shutting
him up, they had found a revolver In
his pocket. Every one that knew him
secuted the idea, but Jeremiah Hop
kins was promptly indicted for carry
Ing concealed weapons.
The only concession Robert had been
able to obtain was permission for
Polly to visit her father. and day after
day she carried Jerry to see him.
The day of Hopkins trial Polly had
Hope and the baby.
Late In the afternoon, while she
was rocking Wee Jerry, for there was
no other way to keep him quiet. there
came a rap on the door. Placing him
on the cot, she called 4 soft: "Come
in"
The entrance Of Robert Percival
filed her with apprehension, he looked
so serious, so drawn and pale
Its about daddy" she exclaimed,
forgetting for the moment how embar-
rassed she was.
Robert nodded.
"Sit down. Polly" he Said gravely,
"and I'll tell you"
Mutely she stood staring at him.
-Sit down, dear" he insisted.
II don't want to sit down." she
moaned. "Tell me about daddy.
What's happened7-He's goin' to Au-
burn. huh7"
Had he been able, Robert would
have contradicted her. Gladly would
he have chased away the welling t"ars
that came slowly into the dear eyes.
''Is 1t Auburn p1son7" she whis-
pered. "Did the jury say he was
guiltyT
"Yes. Polly. but I've still hopes can
get him another trial." answered Rob-
ert. "Oh, little Polly, please don't cry,
please don't"
Unmindful that he was holding out
his hands to her, she sobbed hysterical-
ly, utterly deprived of self-control.
The more Robert pleaded with her to
cease, the more she kept up the inces-
SAINT wall.
At the sound of her anguish, Jerry
awoke and set up a loud screaming,