American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-05-12

and finished, mo place for a decent
girl"
Stupeied by the flood of disasters
that had overwhelmed her, Polly
watched Robert Percival lead his cou-
sin from the hut. After the first wild
impulse to tell him the truth, she had
made no further effort to clear herself.
Evelyn Robertson was going to hold
her to the word she had made two
years ago! Being ~innately honest her.
self, Pollyop could see no way to
tighten her detection or to still
Roberts fierce anger. Her little world
was tumbling to pieces around her. No
longer could she think of him as her
own, though but a few short minutes
before he had comforted her with
kisses and promises. he had demand
ed that she should trust him, yet at
the very first trial of his faith, he had
flung away and left her alone.
Blinded by tears, she felt her way
to the cot. Bennett lay in the same
position, his wide-open Eyes holding
an expression of horror.
shes got a lily liver all right, Os-
car" Polly Kissed through her teeth.
Did you hear all what she said?'
Such is the power of habit over a
nature like the squatter girls that
Robert faded from her mind, and Os-
car Bennett, suffering and dying, alb
sorbed her whole attention.
Cant you hear anything, Oscar?'
she questioned. Listen, mebbe you'll
get well. If you do, take your old
nanny an get out quick. Eve amt
worth n of your toe nails. You've
been a mean duffer, Oscar, but you're
too d-n good for her. God, but she
were a wicked woman. wasn't she,
huh?'
Not a nov of the heavy head on
the pillow gave evidence thai she had
been heard.
She was still standing by Benefits
side when, without knocking, Robert
opened the door and came In, followed
by the doctor. Polly recognized the
stranger instantly as the medical man
who lived a short distance down the
boulevard. In anxious inquiry she
glanced ut Percival.
Observing that she had been weep
ing, his anger fiared again. 1t never
occurred to him that his own cruelty
had drawn the tears from her eyes.
There was the huge farmer stretched
out on the bed and the squatter girl
crying beside him She was mourning
over the stricken man! Robert
frowned; and hopelessIy, in silence,
Polly moved aside to give the doctor
the space she had occupied.
After a hasty examination of the pa
tient, Doctor Bacon turned to Polly
Hopkins.
Something struck him. he said
shortly. you've been quarreling with
him, Ell, girl? What did you hit him
within
Accusation rang against her not
only in the speakers tones but in Rob
erts ina~rticulate cry.
why did you strike him, Polly Hop
kins?' he demanded hoarsely. ibid
you? Speak Did your"
That he should believe such things
of her crushed her completely. Her
head fell forward, but not until Rob.
ert spoke again harshly did she an
swer.
Nope" she breathed. Her tongue
felt as If 1t were covered with ashes.
"Nope, | didn't hit him p
That was all she said. She looked
up at him pleadingly through her thick
lashes. Perhaps he did not really be-
lieve her guilty. Yes, he did He was
still fixing upon her that accusatory
gaze.
He'd better be moved out of this
hole" observed the doctor, looking
around, "but it's an awful night" He
considered a moment and then added:
"Tll telephone to Ithaca for an ambu-
lance"
Sternly he directed a look of disgust
at Polly. He hated attending the
squatters anyway, and never would
have consented to enter the Silent City
If Robert Percival had not come for
him.
Aghast at the horror Of the emer-
gency. Pollyop seemed not to notice
the physicians contempt.
is he goin' to die, mister?p she
queried plaintively.
II don't know he replied in gruff
indecision, as he prepared a draught.
When everything within human
power had been done for Oscar Ben
nett, Robert allowed the doctor to pass
out of the hut before him. Then, like
a shot, he turned back to Polly's side.
His eyes blazed with jealousy and
quickly 1t crossed her mind that he