The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922, March 31, 1922, Image 6
TJTE NORTH PLATTE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE. Storm Country Polly by Grace Miller White CHAPTER XI Continued. -12- Pollyop's subbing vol co )cni!tratc(l Into tlio young niiin'.s darkening sen Hlbllltlo.s, mid the ghost of a snillu crept to Ills lips. Then slowly his eyes closed. Tliu strained muscles relaxed from aliotit lil tnoutli, leaving It i lore boyish; and t litis did the .Storm coun try glvo buck to ISvulyn UohertHon tier freedom. After that came dark days for I'oUy oii. Kven the reproduction of Th? Greatest Mother In the World, whlrt' hung In Its accustomed place on the fthnnty wall, failed to lift the heavy load that rested like a stone In her bosom. No more did she stand before. It and dream dream of a deep-toned volco telling her of love and a future, dream of Ilohcrt's arms about her and lier head pressed against him. Up and down she went through the Silent City, unable to smile, well nigh titmblo to speak it word of greeting to those she met. Ho sympathetic were Jier squatter friends that many a fish iind pan of baked beans found then way Into the Hopkins hut. Several times I'ollyop had made an effort to see Evelyn, but the rich girl never appeared as tho little trill Hounded Just after nightfall In the Itobcrtson garden, In July came rumors that Evelyn Itobcrtson was to marry Marcus Mac Kenzle; and that he had bought the Dennett farm of Oscar's heirs. Terri fied whispers went from mouth to mouth In tho settlement that he had boasted how ho was going to clear tho squatters from the Silent City before the coming of Christmas. One night the dark messenger to "Whom no home Is closed slipped Into the Hopkins shanty and summoned Granny Hope. Although tho. absence of the old withered mouth made one less to feed, I'ollyop missed the oft re peated assurance Unit somehow, some time, love would nmko crooked things straight. Late ono day, she took .Terry and the billy goat and walked through tho Silent City and on toward the Hud Muns Ravine. The picture sho had grown to love In those long-ago spring days still gazed out at her from Mar cus MncKcnzlo's fence. Thero for n moment Polly halted and solemnly contemplated tho heautl Iful face. When sho hud been happy, and that was ages past, she had not realized what the call In tho mother plea meant. Hut as one after another, her loved ones had dwindled uway, nnd none but Jerry was left, a clearer understanding took possession of her. The same cruel force had attacked her wnd the woman there. They were liv ing In a warring world, trying by might und main to cling to their own, Polly op and this giant mother. The woman asked aid for her vast army of sick nons; and Polly's sorrow, touched by her broad compassion, lightened u little. Behind her she heard footsteps. Slowly sho turned her head; and al most at the same instant tho person stopped. Pollyop could not move or force a word of greeting from her tongue, for Robert Perclval was look ing at her, his serious white faco hold ing no hint of smile or welcome. For ft long minute- they stared at each oth cr; then the young mnn swung about swiftly and strode away. Crushed almost Into Insensibility, Pollyop sunk lower and lower until Jerry slid away from her shoulders to the ground. Her beloved had not spoken, nor had the pained lines about Ills mouth softened even a little tilt I Afternoon shudows begun to stretch long over tho lake and crowd down upon the Silent City, and still tho tuiuutter girl knelt and wept out her orrow and loneliness with tio ono enr but tho large-eyed, sad little I'hlld, leaning across the thin buck of Hilly-goat Hopkins. At length Pollyop arose, wiping her worn face on her sleeve. Then sho hoisted Jerry to . her shoulders and turned for a last look at the lofty mother of tho world. Kor a minute she gazed steadily. And then, through tho gathering Cloom, she thought she saw n smile hovering about the beautiful mouth. Pollyop wont nearer by two steps. The woman was smiling at her, and the squatter girl, overwhelmed with a Joy that hurt keenly llko a knife's blade amllcd back, the tlrst smile since Granny Hopo had left her. Holding Jerry by one arm, sho thrust tho other hand upward. "IMggiist an' beatitlfutest mammy In all the world," she faltered, "bless mo an' Jerry an' an' Daddy Hopkins wuy off up In Auburn prison." Jloyorcutly she knelt with her cling Ing burden, and then, swiftly rising went back to the shanty, her pale faco radiant jvltli u world-wldo blessing. CHAPTER XII Midsummer was full upon them fjtd still Pollyop nnd Jerry hold to tfcelr lonely tenure of tho hut. A few fcart-brek'a letters- hud reached the Bntter lrl from Auburn, and she hud wtjyttflc!y answered thetn. Yet la snl )f th dally predictions of th ua)jei folk tlisrt Old Mnrc would Hboi-Hy begin again w narasa himii Copyright by Little, Brown &. Co. Polly wns happier. She could not have explained, If she had been asked, why the agony of doubt had given plnce to a warmer glow about her heart when she thought' of Daddy Hopkins. Away off up-tliero In the gloom of the prison, he hud received a mother's benedic tion; Polly believed this with all her soul. Jerry nnd she too had come In for their share; and this new confi dence lifted the shadow from her eyes it little and lessened the stabbing hurt In her side. The thing that tormented her most wns Jerry's constant mourning for bis father. Day by day she hail racked her brains for ways to amuse him, but us soon ns tho novelty of the play bad worn off, the old-time cry would bo gin : "Want to piny horso wlf my Daddy Hopkins I Wee Jerry wants Daddy Hopkins!" She was looking at him one morn ing nfter ono of his spells of weeping, ml wistfully considering If thero night ho a way to hurry him off to Auburn for u day, when Evelyn Itob crtson suddenly nppenred In tho shanty door. For n long time Evelyn's conscience had miido her uncomfortable. Even though her days were exceedingly busy, the remembrance of the squatter girl's pale, pleading faco tormented her, and sho wns fenrful Pollyop might not keep the promise sho had mnde, and Marcus MacKcnzle would be lost forever. So astounded was Polly nopklns to seo the girl that she neglected to nsk her In. Overlooking this, Miss Itob crtson stepped Into tho room In em barrassment. "I'ollyop," she began, catching her hrcathf "I just hud to speak to you. I'm going to bo married to Mr. McKcn- zle, nnd I came to talk to you about It nnd and to bring tho baby some candy." Her expression grave with surprise, Polly scrutinized her coldly. "Jcrry'd rnther havo his Dnddy Hopkins than candy," sho retorted, frowning. Miss Robertson drew back n little, shaking her head. "I couldn't manage that, I'm afraid," Bho said soberly, "hut " Pollyop shifted uneasily. "Mebbo you could get Old Mnrc to say I could take Jerry to Auburn, then?" she ventured. "Jerry'll dlo If ho don't seo his daddy. He's gettln thinner nn thinner every -day. He's been yelling like mad nil mornln'." Evelyn pondered on this nn Instant. "Yes, I could do that, I'm sure," sho answered, smiling brondly. "I'd love to do It, too." Tho forlorn droop nt tho corners of Polly's mouth dlsuppeared. "Mebbe, If I could got something to wear " sho hesitated. It had nuver occurred to Miss Rob ertson how Pollyop innnnged for cloth ing. Sho had so much herself sho was blind to another's need; but, ns sho had come to demand a favor, then per haps sho hod better offer as much ns sho could. "Polly," Bhe ejnculntcd, "you'vo been awfully good to me, and you can huvo any one of my dresses you want, and keep It too. And I'll pcrsundo Mr. Mackenzlo to got you a penult to go to Auburn." Polly felt hcrhenrt grow big. Then, after all, she could take Weo Jerry to his daddy. "I s'siwse I s'spose," she hesitated, trembling, "you couldn't tell your cous in" Her thront caught In n sob but she cleared It, and went on, "Just tell 'lin Oscar wasn't my man?" Evelyn Robertson had often lived over the horror of tho minutes when tho shameful secret of her marriage to Oscar Bennett was so nearly dis closed to Robert Perclval. Moro thnn once had she congratulated herself upon the cleverness with which she had avoided that danger. To ho suro her escape bud been at the expenso of Polly'8 reputation. Sho regretted tho necessity but reasoned that n good name could not be much of a loss to u squatter. "Of courso I couldn't do that," she returned sharply. "Why why should you want" The squatter girl's gaze lifted to tho speaker's face, and tears wollod over the fringed lids. Then Evelyn read the truth; nnd her eyes glinted and narrowed. "Merciful Heavens, you'ro In love with my cousin?" she exclaimed. "Is that what you meun?" Tho brown head fell forward, and n tluiue-hot fuce was hidden In the chestnut curls. "And he loves you, too," cried Ev elyn, In disdain. "What u fool I was not to discover that before 1 How per fectly awful I That's what has been tho matter with him for months." Sho snatched Pollyop's arm and shook her. "It's absolutely mad of you to think of my cousin In that. way," sho con tinued, her volco hoarso with fear. "Promlso mo again' you'll never tell him ubout Oscar?" Pollyop shook her head. "I've never told nothln'; I'vo Bald I wouldn't," she replied thickly, almost sullenly. Then Evelyn smiled. Tho dimples played hide ami go seek at the cor neds of her lovely mouth. The steely blue glint faded from her eyes, lenv Ing them tho color of heavenly tints. She wits certain her secret was us snfe In the breast of Polly Hopkins as It was In tho heart of the dead Oscar. "You shall seo your father," she said, dropping her hand, "and you can havetiny dress thrive to wear. Come up tonight, at seven. The folks will be at dinner; and I'll slip out and bring you In." Then sho wont nwny, leaving Polly Hopkins alternately plunged Into tho depths of despair whon she thought of Robert Perclvnl and singing with glndncss over tho Joy In storo for Weo Jerry nnd Daddy Hopkins. It was still broad day when Polly Hopkins left Weo Jerry plnylng by the water's edge with somo squnttcr youngsters and started for tho Robert son home. True to her word, Evelyn met her In tho grape arbor at seven and hastily led her up the back stairs to her bedroom. "Thero nro the closets," sho said. "Take anything you like, Polly, but hurry. Tito cook's in the kitchen, nnd the other maids are busy. I'll go down for fear someono will come to find me. There's tho dinner gong." Once nlono In tho beautiful room, Polly's gnzo swept Its broud dimen sions. It did not occur to her to covet tho least o these gorgeous surround ings. Sho only wanted something to wear to Auburn, something to cole brute her visit and do Daddy Hopkins proud. Sho swung open u closet door nnd peered In. Tho sound of Inughtcr somewhere In the houso sent a wuve of terror over her. Sho snatched nt tho first gown under her hnnd, rolled it Into a bun- dlo and fled down the stairs. Until she was In the Inne again, she did not brentho easily. Once back In tho shanty, Pollyop hid tho dross beneath her bed without even daring to look nt It. How Evelyn was to urrango tho visit to Auburn, she did not know, but of one thing -she wns sure, she had n beautiful dress to wear. After she had put tho child to bed, nnd tho door was securely locked, Pol ly drew tho curtains tightly over tho small windows. Even the corners of As If She Had Been Handling Eggs, She Drew on the Beautiful Robe, Her Bare Neck and Forearms Gleam ing White in the Candle Light. tho room lost their shadows ;' and "The Grentest Mother In the World" seemed to stand out more plainly than even when tho sun shone. Pollyop placed her wnrm cheek ngalnst tho picture nnd smiled. She earnestly believed this wonder-mother wns helping her to go nnd seo Dnddy Hopkins. She turned nnd looked long lngly nt the sick Ilttlo man, then up wurd to tho woman's face. "You'vo dono so much for mo nn' Jerry, ma'um," sho whispered. "Meb bo somutlmo you'd make him smllo Just once at me." Then she took the bundle from un der her cot nnd sprend out her trens ure. It wus u dollcato shimmering silk, nna in It wns tho color of the sun Jnst beforo ho sailed over tho western hill on his Journey around tho enrth. Thero could not be such another beautiful gown In nil tho world, Polly thought. Then sho slow ly slipped from her own ragged dress nnd stopped n moment, contemplating Daddy Hopkins' big boots. Even to Polly's prlmltlvo mind they did not seem to bo Just tho thing to wear with such n dress. So tho boots, too, came off. As If she hnd been handling eggs. Bhe drew on tho beautiful robo, her bare neck nnd forearms gleaming whlto In tho cnndlollght. Then back nnd forth she walked, en tranced with Its voluptuous loveliness. But twist and turn ns best she might, sho could not see tho wholo of hor gulden glory; so she took down Daddy Hopkins cracked nWe of mirror which he had used when pulling out his shnggy whiskers with tho tweezers. Ily the aid of It, she could get glimpses of her slim young figure nnd the grace ful sweep of the skirt. Holding tho glass higher up, sho studied her Blen der neck where tho sun hnd tanned It. Hut tan did not mntter, for Daddy Hopkins loved her In splto of It, All at onco she heard a knock ngalnst tho sldo of the hut. Hastily slipping out of the dress and folding It, she shoved It under her pillow. Then she put on her old dress nnd opened tho door. harry Bishop was there, extending her n letter. Taking the note in amazement, she smiled and thanked him. "Ain't you comln' In, Larry?" she asked. "Klndn chilly tonight, huh?" The squatter stepped Inside, his enp In his hnnd. "Yep, too cold for summer, Poll," he returned. "Say, brat, how you gettln' on? Got 'nough benns left for u while?" "Sure, moro'n enough, Larry," she replied. "I writ Daddy In my letter yestcrdny how blessed good you'd all been to me. I bet, when I get face to face with 'tin. I'll teJl things I can't scribble. An' now you go brlngln' me this." Sho tapped tho letter with her lin gers as n mysterious smile touched her Hps. The man shook his head grimly. "You won't be seeln' your dud very soon, Pollyop," he muttered, "not If I guess right 1" "Mebbe 1 will," she told him, finger ing the letter. Sho liked Lnrry Bishop very much, but she wns enten up with curiosity to know tho contents of the envelope in her hnnd. Perhaps, oh, might It he "Wherc'd you got this, Lurry?" sho asked, holding It up. "I wus comln' down the lnne," ex plained Bishop, "an' n feller nsked me If I knowed where tho Hopkins hut wns. I says, 'Yep, I'm goln' there now.' Ho snys, 'Take this letter to the Hopkins girl,' nn I says, 'Yep,' nn an' I brung It." Ho pnused, hoping sho would open It In his presence. Being persuaded she did not Intend to, he went out. Ills footsteps had no sooner died nwny thnn Polly sprang to tho door nnd barred it. Then sho turned tho letter over nnd over nnd looked nt It Her name was on It; so It must bo meant for her to rend. A thrill of pleasure ran over her. Perhaps Robert bud sent her a word of forgiveness. Ho might have written that somo day he would come ngnin. With sparkling anticipation she cut open the envelope and by tho light of the cnndlo spelled out Its contents. "Dear Polly," she rend. "I couldn't manago that trip to Auburn. So sorry. "E." Polly looked dully at the paper, tho words running Into bluck smudgy lines. Then she could not go to Daddy Hopkins nfter all; nnd Jerry might die I Old Mnrc had ouco moro laid his powerful hand upon her. Overcome with grief, sho wept n while. Then sho took the dress from under tho pillow, rolled It carefully In n clean cloth nnd put It nwny. The shock of Evelyn's cold note brought bnck the shadows to Pollyop's brown eyes. As the dnys pnsscd slow- ly by, and tho rich girl did not come to the shuck ngnin, Polly lost all hope of seeing her father. Her decision to go to Auburn In spite of Old Marc followed a letter that she received from Dnddy Hopkins. Ho was very lonely, he snld. Ho was counting off ench day ns so mnny hours nenrer the time when he could see his denr children. With tho picture of Dnddy's loneliness stnmped In misery on her mind enmo tho thought that no ono hnd the right to keep Jerry from his fntiTer. From tho time sho conceived this Iden, It never left her thoughts. She hud often stolen rides on the Lehigh Vnlley train from Ithnca to the Silent City nnd dropped off whero the engine took n switch whllo the Buffalo Spe cial dashed by. Why could sho not stenl a ride clear to Auburn? Whllo the squatter girl wns making arrangements to carry out this mighty plan, preparations for the Mnclvenzle-Robertson wedding were going rapidly forward. Evelyn, happy Hi her new love, untroubled by sym pathy for the clend Oscar, passed tho days' mostly nt dressmakers and In the shops. Her contentment would hnvo been complete If her cousin Rob ert hnd not looked so snd, or If sho could have rid herself of the sense of responsibility for his unhnpplness, But hoping In her flippant way that all would come out well nfter she wns married, she gave little heed to him nnd none nt all to Polly Hopkins. Early ono morning Polly hopped quickly out of bed and nfter n break fast of bread nnd benns, began to dress Jerry In the best ho hnd. The day was chilly, and n fine rain drizzled over the lake. Pollyop wrapped Granny Hopa's old slinwl around tho little boy nnd tied a warm rng about his head; and tho child, satisfied with his sister's assurance that ho wns going to seo his fnthcr, sat on tho cot wide-eyed, watching her In silence. (TO HE CONTINUED.) O. K. Till Their Fuse Blew Outl Their meeting was mutual. She be ing Immediately attracted by his mag netic personality, while he was not repelled, for his lips soon made con tact with hers, nnd tho sparking grew Intense. 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