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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 21, 1922)
NOTCTFT PTiATTR SRMT-WEETCLY TRIBUNE. Storm Country Polly by Grace Miller White Copyright by Little, Brown &. Co. : i i THE FRAMEUP. SrNOrS18.-Occupylnff a dilapi dated shack In tho Bllont City, a squatter sMtloment near Ithaca, Now York, Polly Hopkins Mvcb with lir father, small Jerry, and an old woman, Granny IIopo. On an ndjacent farm, Owcar IJontiott, prosperous farmer, Is a tiolKhlior. lie Is secretly married to Evelyn Hobertaon, supposedly wealthy Rlrl of tho neighborhood, Marcus Mac Kcnzle, who owns tho ground the squatters occupy, Is their deter mined enemy. Polly overhears a conversation between MacKenzlo and a stranger, In which the former avows his Intention of driving tho squatters from his land. Tho stran ger sympathizes with tho squatters, and earns Polly's gratitude Evelyn rtobcrlcon discovers from her moth er that they are not rich, hut prac tically living on tho bounty of Robert Perclval, Evelyn'B cousin. Polly learns from Evelyn that the sympathetic stranger Is Ilobert Perclval. Evelyn charges Polly with a message to I3ennet, telling him alio can give him no moro money. 8ho already bitterly rogrots her marriage to tho Ignorant farm er. Polly convoys her mcsHage and Oscar makos threat. Ho Insist Evelyn meet him that night. Polly has her father and tirry Bishop, a squatter, tako an oath to do Mac Kcnzlo no Injury. Evelyn unsuc cessfully tries to got money from her mother with which to buy off. Iicnnctt and Induce him to Icavo tho country, giving her her freedom. She and MacKenzlo avow their love. At tho arranged mooting that night Dennett threatens Evelyn with exposure unless sho gives him monoy. Polly moots Itobort Per clval, and thoy nre mutually at tracted, Polly's feeling bolng adora tion. Oscar kills Polly's lamb and Perclval thrashes Oscar. MacKen zlo orders the squatters to loave. Evelyn plans to -marry MacKenzlo. Perclval and Polly confess their love. -Continued. CHAPTER IX Tlicn while Itobort wn tolling lior of tils hopes and plnnn, rehearsing Ills lovo for her nnd his dcslro to help bor rend nnd study, they walked slowly buck nlong tho ragged rocks In tho di rection of tho shanty. Thoy were almost at Polly's homo before ho left her. Sho watched him ntrido up the hill, nnd, nftcr ho had disappeared, she throw herself Hat upon tho enrth; nnd mingled with tho bird's hour In thU willow treefy nnd tho rippling of tho waves upon tho (shore, came her cry: "Oh, God dear, I can't marry Oscar, I can't I You'll have to help tho squat ters somo other wny, darlln'." , Tho days that followed, bringing with tho spring llowers (locks of sum mer birds, seemed an eternity to Polly Hopkins. She went about her duties as one In n dream. In splto of Rob erts efforts, several of tho fishermen bad been sent to tho 'Ithaca Jail for jotty crimes.. Two men hnd been trapped In tho Bad Man's ravine nnd tnken off to tho jail without so much as a farewell to their families. Polly had groaned with their women nnd wopt ovor their ba bies. She was qulto sure Porclvnl was doing everything anybody could do; but sometimes the thought of Evelyn's demand Intruded on her mind, and she wondered If sho were doing right In refusing It. One morning at daybreak Polly saw hor father lift his gun from tho wall nnd sit down to clean It. Now, why wob bo doing that, when ho Knew very well he could not use It? She stood looking down upon him, her heart beating rapidly. "You ain't goln' to hunt yet, honey," Bho protested, squatting down beside him, "Yep," returned Hopkins glancing up. "There ain't no one UHtlr' so early, iuY I'll bring back something, mebbe i woodchuck or n skunk. Wo nln't find enough to keep a mess of files olive since Old Mure got back." That was true! No ono knew better than Pollyop how they had missed the little she had received from Dennett. Sick nt heart, she siintchcd at bts baud. "We might best be without grub, Dnddy," sho said pnssloimtcly, "Awl Don't start rubbln' It up again 1 You'll get pinched, If you hunt out ( season, no matter what you shoot. For less Minn carryln' u gun, Old Marc's got u bunch of our men. You shan't do It, Daddy. You shan't, I say I" If only sho could persuade him not to hunt until Robert had como to tin understanding with MacKenzlo. If he didn't succeed then sho knew another way. "Mebbo In a little while you can bunt all you like, Daddy," Bho ven lured softly. "What do you mean by Mutt, brat?" asked Jeremiah, centering bis keen eyes upon her. She leuned forward and slipped both arms about bis big waist. "I don't want you to go todny. Daddy," Bho returned noucouiinlttntly 'Why don't you Just stuy ut home, an' -mi' " "Nopo, I'm Roln'," Interrupted Hop kins. "An' Jerry's n-goin' with me, HI bo back beforo any of Old Marc's pies turn over for another nap." Polly knew her father well enougl sot to make unother appeal. Sho dressed Wee Jerry at Jeremluh's com mand, nnd then, troubled In spirit, wntched him stride nway lu tho keen morning air. It hnd been decided among the squatter men that to keep the breath of life In their women and children they must hunt nnd fish, but Mint I nothing should be caught that the law forbade. It was Mils thought that was running through tho squatter's mind ns he crept up to see ir a woouciiuck had ventured out. Ono was sitting up, taking a suvey of the neigh borhood, when Hopkins lifted his gun ; and with ono shnrp crack and a belch of smoke the furry fellow tumbled over. The squatter strode forward nnd wns In the net of picking It up when three men appeared as If they bad sprung from the enrth nnd with raised pistols closed In upon him. Jeremiah's huge Jnw dropped at the sight of them, nnd Wee Jerry's lingers caught tight bold of his shaggy hair. "Drop that gun," cried. ono man, nnd tho still smoking rifle fell to the earth. It took but a moment to snap u pair of handcuffs about the dazed man's wrists. It was while Jeremiah's face was turned upward to quiet the screaming Jerry that one of the men quickly substituted a dead squirrel, and another went nway with tho dead woodchuck. Then the third slipped n chain around one of Daddy's wrists and led him down the hill to tho rag ged rocks, the child still clinging to his neck. Polly wns standing under n willow tree as her eyes cuught sight of Daddy Hopkins and Woo Jerry between two men. Ono of them strode along, n lit tle dead body dangling from ono band, while held in the other baud was her futhcr's gun. She ran toward them, giving spasmodic cries of dismay, "Daddy 1" she screamed. No answer came from tho blinking squatter. "Wo caught him with the goods on," ono man sneered at her. "Hut you're goln' to leave him with stnnt. She knew the planting system hnd been practiced on the squatters before. At last the law bad her best beloved. "Daddy never killed that squirrel," sho raved. "Ho didn't; an' you d n duffers know lie didn't.' You enn't get by wltli notbln' like that. It's crooked I Here, you you you gimme my daddy I" Like a wildcat unloosed upon them, Polly flew first nt one, Mien ut the oth er, sue nit at tucm, tore at tneir clothes nnd kicked out with her strong, baro feet; but It was like a small force attacking a mighty mountain. Strong hnnds pinioned her nrms, nnd while she stood raging at them, she saw Wee Jerry snatched from bis fa ther's shoulders and set on tho ground. Then they led Daddy Hopkins nwny. Dazed for a moment, Polly stood shak ing from head to Toot. Grasping Jerry by the hnnd, she rnn swiftly nfter them, crying out In despair that Daddy must go homo with her and the baby. At the lane Hopkins turned and spoke to her. "Unit," he choked, swallowing hurd, "kiss your daddy, an' let mq smack Wee Jerry too. Go on home. I'll be comln' back after a bit. Tell Larry they got me, nn' Mint I. said for him to look after you an' the kid 1" With her arms about his neck she gave the promlso squatter women muko their men when the majesty of the law steps Into the Silent City. "I'll keep the baby an the shanty till you get bock, Daddy darlln'," she sobbed. "Give your girl-brat kisses, an' here's Wee Jerry 1" Even tho ofllcer who had tho squir rel turned bis head ns the girl clung to tho big Bquntter. Afraid to lead their prisoner through tho Silent City, tho deputies murched him up the lane toward tho railroad tracks. As they turned Into tho boulevard, Hopkins looked back down the hill. Pollyop was still lu the road, and Wee Jerry was In her arms, his face pressed against her neck. shimmering encstnut curls mingled with thready locks of gray; and then two quivering wizened lips fell upon a trembling rosy mouth. "Sny something more, little Granny," whispered Pollyop. "Oh, God'll do what you say Ho will mebbe, huh?" Weary with unusual emotion, the woman's head bobbed forward. "With God, Pollyop," she whlsperod faintly, "there nlu't no mebbe. When you get n swat from n hand like Old Marc's, then n angel from Hcnven " Instantly Polly Hopkins was on her feet. An nnget from Heaven I A blessed angel would help Daddy Hop kins I "Darlln'," she murmured, bending over Mrs. Hope, "get on my bed an' take Wco Jerry. I'm goln' out" Polly Hopkins was in tho Itobcrtson grape arbor before she fully realized the task which she had undertaken. To thrust herself Into the presence of Ilobert Perclval was not so ensy as she had anticipated. "Just let Pollyop find 'lm alone, Jesus dear." sho prayed, and then stepped out from among the vines. It was a cozy scene that met her eyes when she ventured Into tho house. Tho i'umlly were at breakfast; and Marcus MncKenzle in bis riding suit wns drinking coffee. At the sight of her be put down the cuf and rose to me," sho shrilled, making her appeal to the man who stood close to Jere miah. "Daddy'U promise not to hunt no moro, won't you, honoy? Ob, Godl You said you wouldn't shoot nothln' the law hold you couldn't." "I didn't, brat," grunted Hopkins. Then bis oyo caught sight of the squirrel, and his Jaw dropped. A boarso groan fell from him. "I didn't shoot no squirrel, Poll," he cried out to her. "I got Mint big chuck I wore tellln' you nbout." Then, turning glaring, fury-flllcd eyes on tho man who hod sneered nt the girl, ho continued, "You planted that d n lit tle critter on me, mister. I never shot him." Pollyop's lids widened In terror. She lifted one baud nnd caught the child's shoulder. "Jerry, baby," sho cried madly, "you wns Micro! Tell Pollyop what Daddy shot I" "Sure I wns there," ho sobbed, drawing Ills sleove across his fucc. his hole, nn' my Dnddy Hopkins " Tho ofllcer who hnd the squirrel In his hnnd, put it Into his pocket nnd "Nopo, I'm Coin'," Interrupted Hop. klnt. seized the child by tho arm nnd shook him. "Here, kid," he shouted, "nono of your Up. You'vo been set up to tell Mutt lie." Tho man's aspect was so threaten lug Mint Wee Jerry broke oir his words und, grasping Daddy's bushy bend tightly, smothered his sobs In bis hair, Jeremiah Hopkins made a motion to ward tho speaker, but a -shurp twist on the cluilii around his wrist checked him. "You see, brat," ho groaned, "they've framed me right." , Polly grusped the situation lu an In CHAPTER X. As In a nightmare tho squatter girl blundered along the path, back to the but, carrying Wee Jerry In her arms, Granny Hope wus hobbling from the coop-hole when tho girl stumbled over the threshold. "Something awful's happened, huh, Pollyop?" the woman fnltered, and limping across tho floor, she bent nnd gathered tho thin small boy to her "Como to grandma, Jerry dear," slid coaxed, "an' hear a wee bit nbout Love." The crooning voice, chok6d with en trenty, touched the edge of Polly Hop kins' soul. She swnyed forward to her knees, caught tho ono withered hand extended to her nnd clung there. "I'll set, my bird," mumbled Mrs Hope weakly, and sho dropped Into a chair with Jerry In her lap. "There I Aw l Don't cry that way, honey. Lis ten, dear heart. God's everywhere! An' His lovo too! Can't" Out of tho shower of glistening curls nppenrcd a won, tearful face. "Daddy's been took to jail, Granny Hope," Pollyop burst out. "God can'f; go In a dirty Jail, God can't! 01 J Marc " Mrs. Hope's sudden trembling broke off Mie girl's words; nnd Polly wept again lu hopeless misery us tho worn nn repeated almost dully: "God can't go In n dirty Jail." Then her face, lighted by a radiant thought, lost its drabness; und for a tlmo she stroked the bowuu young head. Then : "He your .daddy lovln' you an' the baby?" sho queried softly. That question had never been put to Polly Hopkins before. Had Granny Hope gone crazy to usk such a thing? Kvcry squatter In tho settlement mar veled at Jeremiah's devotion to bis children 1 "Huh, brat dear?" came more fore! bly from Granny Hope, us If she were determined to hnvc an answer. Pollyop lifted her head wearily. "Sure, sure, Granny," sho moaned "He'll lovo us till ho dies." "Then my mss ain't oeiioviir any longer Mint tho God Is love, like once sho was, huh? If Daddy Hopkins has went to prison like you said, then nln't God there? An', dear lassie-child, love's love, an' God's God behind the bars Just the same as In this here beautiful shanty 1" The girl, still on her knees, edged closer to the old woman's side nnd put tier arms around him. "Listen to what Granny Hope says, baby dear," she sobbed. "Love's went right along to Jail with our daddy. Jcsuk'II help Mm. Ho can, can't ho, Granny dear?" "He can' an' Ho will, poor brats," answered Mrs. Hope. And then tli rough the quietude of tho early morning she voiced In tremulous words the promises that had been food and drink to her during all the lonely years that had passed over her head "Ask, on' you'll get It, dear lnnibs, Seek your daddy, an' you'll find Mm, little dears." One of Pollyop's arms went ubout tlio woman's neck lu a trice. Tho 'Ho Can, an' He Will, Poor Brats" Answered Mrs. Hope. his feet ; and Instantly Perclval got up too. Evelyn went white; ana on ejaculation fell from Mrs. Robertson- lips. Throwing n questioning glance froiy one to the other, the girl's eyes set Med at last on Robert's face. "They've took my Dnddy Hopkins to Jail," sho faltered, "nn' I've come to get Mm back." Tho loud laugh that burst from MacKcnzte's lips brought a glare from Robert. "Thank God, wo'vo got him nt last," Marcus exulted. The expression of woo died in the squatter girl's eyes ns Robert Perclvnl enme townrd her. "Whnt!" bo ejaculated, and then as though conscious of tho hnte that was directed at the newcomer by Marcus MncKenzle, ho added In a lower tone: Poor little girl 1 Como Into my study, Polly, nnd tell me nbout it." "Nonsense, Rob," Interrupted Mac Kenzlo rudely. "Let her tell her lies here. I'd like to hear what sho has to suy." A flush mounted to Robert's face as he turned angrily on the speaker. During the momcntlie wns struggling for composure, Mrs. Robertson and her daughter bung on the scene with bated breaths. "Must I remind you whoso house this is, MncKenzle?" demnnded Vcvcl vol finally; und Marcus sank down Into his chnlr with n muttered npology, "I didn't come to tell lies, Mr. Mnc Kenzle," Polly broke out Impetuously. "I've come to tell God's truth." Then the recollection of her father's des perato need overwhelmed her, and she wailed : "Your men planted a squirrel on Mm, sir; Daddy sutd so, an' Jerry saw 'em." To Perclvnl, watching the mnn nnd girl, enmo tho conviction that she hud told the truth, nnd that MncKenzle know sho hnd. Before ho could break lu, Polly spoke again. "Plense, sir," she begged, "please, Mr. MacKenzlo, glvo Mm back to me. You can. Do It, nn, an', oh, God, I'll die for you." She fell forward on her knees; nnd then Marcus MncKenzle laughed again. Lower and lower fell the curly head, for the sarcastic sound told her moro plainly than any words could have done that sho would get no aid from him. Robert stooped and lifted her up. "D n you, Marc! Stop It!" he de manded. "It's wicked, downright wicked I" And to her he murmured: "Poor little girl I Poor little Polly." He tried to lead her away; but how could she go without making another effort? She turned to ICvelyn. "Something; struck Oscar and he's dead in the road I" Feel Stiff and Achy After Every Cold? Do You Have Constant Backache? Feel Old and Lame and Suffer Sharp, Rheumatic Pains? Then Look to Your Kidneys! T"OES every cold, chill or attack of grip leave you worn-out and utterly miserable? Do you feel old and lame, stiff and rheumatic? Does your back ache with a dull, unceasing throb, until it seems you just can't stand it any longer? Then look to your kidneys! Grip, colds and chills are mighty hard on the kidneys. They fill the blood with poisons and impurities that the kidneys must filter off. The kidneys weaken under this rush of new work; become congested and inflamed. It's little wonder, then, that every cold leaves you with torturing backache, rheumatic pains, headaches, dizziness and annoying bladder irregularities. But don't worry 1 Simply realize that your kidneys are over worked at such times and need assistance. Get a box of Donn'e Kidney PilU and give your weakened kidneys tho help thoy need. Assist them, also, by drinking pure water freely, eating lightly and getting plenty of fresh air and rest. Doan'a Kidney Pill have helped thousands and should help you. Aik your neighbor! "Use Doan 's, "Say These Grateful Folks: Mrs. Chas. Fcmbrook, Har vard, Nebr., says: "Several years ago I used Doan'a Kid ney Pills. I have used them off and on whenever I havo felt tho need of a kidney rem edy. When I catch cold it irri tates my kidneys and causes them to act too freely. This also makes my back lame and weak. Since using Doan's Kid ney Pills I havo not been troubled in several months and I can recommend them for I know them to be a kidney remedy of merit. Doan's are my standard kidney remedy and I keep them in the house all the time." A. L. Rcnquist, 202 S. Ar thur St., Iloldrcge, Nebr., says: "I had an attack of kid ney complaint and was in bad shape for awhile. I waB husk ing corn when the trouble started. I no doubt had taken cold in the muscles of my back and side. I was bo lame that if I stooped I could hardly straighten. I had heard so much about Doan's Kidney Pills that I sent for some. After taking them a few days they fixed me up in good shape. I haven't been bothered since Doan's cured me." DOAN'S K At All Dealers, 60c a Box. Fostcr-Hilbum Mfg. Chem., Buffalo, N. Y. HIS CRITICISM RATHEB HASTY ' Pooalbly Mr. Newlywed Will Make Discreet Inquiries Before He Makes Another Complaint. A few weeks ngo I was Invited to dine with a couple of old schoolmates who hod been married for somo time. 1 was asked to bring a friend who had also attended school with us. Tho dinner looked appetizing, and was progressing smooMily with all of us In good spirits. Suddenly, Jack, ray married friend, turned to his wife nnd said: "Vera, what's the matter wIMi these bis cuits?" She made somo sort of reply, where upon ho answered they wero not flt to cat, Miat bis mother could do bet ter baking, nnd asked who baked them. Vera, wIMi an Injured expression, answered: "Why, Jnck, dear, your mother sent Miem over this evening." Both, I know, wished the dinner over, nnd I found I hnd a pressing engagement directly afterward. Chi cago Tribune. Baby's little dresses will Just simply dazzle if Bed Gross Ball Bluo Is used In the laundry. Try it and see for your self. At all good grocers. Advertisement. When a man boasts of having money to burn ho will soon huve ashes to throw nway. Nothing Serious. Prosecuting Attorney Dave you ever been convicted of nnything? Witness Yes, sir, once. Prosecuting Attorney All right, tell the Jury whnt you wero convicted of. Witness I was Just convicted of waiting on myself in a grocery store; that's all. New York Globe. MOTHER! OPEN CHILD'S BOWELS WITH CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP Tour little ono will love the "fruity" taste of "California Fig Syrup" even if constipated, bilious, irritable, feverish, or full of cold. A teaspoonful never falls to cleanse the liver and bowels. In a few hours you can see for your self how thoroughly It works all tho sour bile, and undigested food out of the bowels and you have a well, play ful child again. ' Millions of mothers keep "California Fig Syrup" handy. They know a tea spoonful today saves a sick child to morrow. Ask your druggist for genu ine "California Fig Syrup," which lias directions for babies and children of all ages pilnted on bottle. Mother I You must say "California" or you may get an Imitation Ug syrup. Advertise ment Life seems to bo mado up of ardent desires nnd vain regrets. 2 (TO UK CONTINUED.) An Englishman has Invented a horse- drawn plow to remove snow from street guttcrB, rollers guiding It alone tho curb. WARNING 1 Say "Bayer" when you buy Aspirin. Unless you see the name "Bayer" on tablets, you are not getting genuine Aspirin prescribed by physicians over 22 years and proved safe by millions for Colds Headache Rheumatism Toothache Neuralgia Neuritis Earache Lumbago Pain, Pain Accept only "Bayer" packaga which contains proper directions. Ilandy "Bayer" boxea of 12 tablets Also bottles of 24 and 100 Druggists, liplrto ! th tndt mark of Bjrtr Manotaetort of Uonoacatlcirfdeiter of Btftellcicti
