The Lamar register., 1922-02-08
Copyright by LittleGBrown and Company


sick, good and plenty sick, l can tell
you, Miss Polly Hopkins"
This speech did not disturb Polly
over much, for he'd made 1t a dozen
times before. II was only the express
sion In his gaze, she did not quite
like. Her mind went to Evelyn Rob
ertson, the girl that Oscar had mar
ried. AS IL it were but yesterday, she
remembered how two years ago she
had gone with them under protest TO
a minister far back in the hills. Eve
lyn had explained that for some time
to come no one but the three must
know of the marriage.
Pollyop had learned a great many
things In two years What girl does
not after she's passed her fifteenth
birthday? One of the things she had
found out was that Oscar was dread
full person. more dreadful than most
of the squatter men. OF course the
men folks of her people did beat their
women, now and then. That was their
right without any question. The blood
colored even her ears as she remem-
bered how Oscar hectored his wife for
the money II was so hard for Evelyn
to get. Another thing she had come
to understand was that. II Oscar had
not been afraid of the powerful Rob
ertson family, he would have forced
Evelyn into his home long before this.
1t had been hard two years task to
keep him quiet.
"Mebbe you are gettin' sick. Oscar"
she interposed. ~ don't know
mebbe; but you know what that old
Miss Robertson would do to you an
her girl II you told. You'd get Eve.
mebbe, but you sure wouldn't get any
more money"
The mans face darkened.
That's just the rub" he conceded,
but at that Eve amt playing square
with me. The Robertsons have money
to burn, and she deals II out to me In
small little dollars. l tell you I'm sick
of the whole thing"
Polly noted the glitter In Benefits
angry eyes and felt again the culver
of fear.
"She gives you all she gets her I'm
gers on" she came back at him in de
fense of the absent Evelyn. Lots Of
times she's got along on about nothin'
to send you cash, an didn't come
runnln' up here with 1t as soon as she
give 1t to me? Now her mas gettin
on that Eve amt spendin' her money
on herself, an she watches 'er like a
hawk does chicken. She told me
that only yesterday"
The squatter girl rose to her feet
anxious to be gone.
oscar, you might be lettin' me
have Just a wee bit of milk. You
amt losin' nothin' through me-"
She picked up the pail, and with
growl the man snatched 1t out of hef
hand.
"Women're id nuisance" hR
grumbled. swell, walt here"
He went out of the room. and Polly
Hopkins drew n long breath. II was
getting harder every day to get the
milk she needed.
When Bennett returned, she was
standing with her hand on the door
knob. ready to go. In silence she took
the pail he offered her.
'Looka here, PoIlyop," he began alb
ruptlv. as Polly opened the door
whats to hinder your paying for
your milk yourself?"
He said il with extreme deliberation.
making emphatic the last words.
Polly threw up her head and eyed
him sharply. 81 run my legs most of
for you as tits, Oscar" she retorted,
between here and the Robertsons';
but don't never have no money. You
know that, an Daddy Hopkins don't
get much. either. If | had dollar. ]
bet I'd spend every penny of 1t fillin'
up Jerry an Daddy an Granny Hope
with milk an eggs" To make him
understand how anxious she was to
please him, she went forward a pace
AN I'd buy 'em all Of you, Oscar.
That's as true as Granny Hopes God
is settin' up in the sky"
81 didn't ask you for money" an
swered Bennett. staring at her. Sud.
denly he came close to her land Polly
backed to the door. His face was red
and agitated: the cords in his neck
were swollen while his fingers twisted
eagerly. That was another thing about
which Polly's eyes had been opened in
two years of growing wonanhood.
When "a man looked as Oscar did now,
! girl got away as fast as she could.
You might pay me In kisses" he