The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-07-27
CHAPTER XIV.

"God-Almlghty, Polly bratw ex-
claimed Larry Bishop one evening,
what made you come out night like
this, huh2"
The girl went to the steve and in
silence extended her hands over its top.
"What's up. Pollyopf" the man de-
manded again, curlously, dropping into
a chair. You look something awful y
And so she did TIE long-lashed
eyes had gathered and held an indefin-
able expression of hatred. The fair,
lovely face knew tender sympathy no
more. She was no longer Polly of the
Sun. For her that orb had become
merely a ball in the sky, hot like the
stove and bright like the candle flame,
only more so. Nor did the pale winter
moon ever catch her dazzling smiles.
The winklng stars had forgotten weeks
ago that once squatter girl had stolen
out nightly to throw upward a kiss,
begging them to deliver 1t to the cruel
fed one there beyond them-the good
Jesus who sat on the golden throne
and who had sent her the message by
lndl LONC NtiG clIOHk-
er'n hate any day"
As usual her feet were In Jeremlah's
boots, and as usual she wore his coat.
Her curls were covered with snow,
| and as she studied the dark-faced man
she shook drops of water from them.
She advanced toward him. choking
with emotion. Since Wee Jerry had
gone, her hours, spent in planning re-
| venge, had completely exhausted her.
| She was so tired that when she
reached Larry she crouched before
him on the floor and turned pale. be-
seeching face up to him.
"Tve come, Larry Bishop" she be-
gan gravely, ito ask you to help me to
even up a little with Old Marc"
The squatter's head went up, and q
startled expression shot into his fierce
eyes. Then he sank lower In his chair,
and the fire died out Of his counte-
nance.
"Who can get even with that d-n
brute?" he muttered after a while
"Squatters can'tl Wee all go to Au.
burn If we muss up him or his'n."
A white young face showed so close
to his that Bishop drew back.
"Who cares a d-n about Auburn
Pollyop exclaimed roughly. 1--WE won't
60 there till we've tore Old Mares
heart to pieces an made 1t hurt like
yours does, Larry, like mine does fol
Jerry an Daddy Hopkins. Wouldn't
you be willin to spend few years in
| jail If you could make him howl an &c
almost mad like me an you have
Lairy?"
Bishop looked beyond her head into
a dark corner. 1t was In that spot he
often imagined he saw the wrath OF
his woman. His unsteady regard set
tied; and the ghost woman rose mist
lily, gazing at him with unearthly eyes
Then the pale, unsmillng phantom ex
tended her arms and within them ap
peared a frail infant.
"Godl" burst from his lips like Q
shot from gun.
Pollyop glanced backward over hel
shoulder. But the shudder that rar
over him brought her haggard face
back to his.
"Ain't your heart hurtln' something
awful for your Betty woman an youl
brat now, this very minute?" she
queried abruptly, as II she, too, haC
seen the CHASTITY thing in the corner.
God, yesr' he shivered, taking firn
hold of his chin to hide the tremble o.
1t.
She seized his arm viselike, the griI
drawing a groan from the squatter.
"An' wouldn't you just love TO Sc,
Old Marc twist an squirm like {
stepped-on baby snake, 'huhf" came II
one long. sobblng breath.
Again the shifty look OF the tortured
man came to rest on the gloom beyond
"rd die for IL, SO l would, Pollyop,
he cried. "Out with what you got II
your bean, Poll; an I'll listen, so hell
me Godp
Pollyop leaned heavily against him
painting. She was making an effort L
tell him her plan. With a swift up
ward motion OF her head, she began L
talk In broken tones; and as she pro
ceeded. Larry Bishop raised straightel
in his chair.
Polly's voice tralled into silence
and Larry sent one hasty look over hel
head. The wrath smiled sadly at hin
and was gone. He shook himself ant
struggled TO his feet. Then a broad
wicked grin spread his lips apart. anC
he laughed aloud. Pollyop, still on th'
floor, laughed, too, hysterical sob
catching at her throat, and desire L