Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 29, Number 40, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 1 June 1922 — Page 2

jStonn Country |&lPoHy 4 w Miller White -j Brown and Company

CHAPTER XV—Continued. —l7 With her eyes on the agonized fare, she drew gently at the corners of the rag stuffed into Evelyn's mouth. When it came out, Evelyn gave a deep groan and her cramped jaws settled rigidly. “I’m goin’ to feed you now," said Polly. “There ain’t no hurry, ’cause we got ali night.” Then some minutes passed in silence while the squatter girl, bit by bit, forced the pap between Mrs. MncKenzie’s teeth. “Now drink the water,” she urged grimly. “It’s warm an’ got sugar in it.” As if In a trance, she got up and placed the cup on the table. She put a stick of wood into the stove and, turning, caught Evelyn's eyes upon her. Then she sat down and considered the unhappy girl who had been delivered up to the Justice of the Storin country. Neither of them spoke. One of them was praying dully to herself, and Polly Hopkins was recounting mentally all the evil deeds of Evelyn and her haughty husband, Marcus MacKenzie. It was necessary to keep Daddy's grief ever before her mind and listen with the ears of her tortured spirit to Jerry's shrieks to be able to keep on with the gruesome thing she had undertaken. “You ain't goin' to die till I tell you something. Miss,” she broke forth, finally.- “It ain't news to you. but I just got to make you understand why I'm putting you in the lake.” t Weakness kept Evelyn from answering. Her eyes rolled up. toward the shanty roof, then shut, at the thought of the icy waters of Cayuga. “I can't hurt your wicked man ’ceptin’ through you,” went on Pollyop. “We squatters are goin’ to learn him a les,son he won’t forget as long as he’s in this world. You can bet your boots on that!” An if in support of the terrible words, the shanty shook, rattling the loosened bits of tin on the roof. At the ghastly sound Evelyn tjegan to cry. “I know just how your man’ll feel,” continued Pollyop. a bitter smile distorting her lips into a grimace of pain, “an’ so does Larry Bishop. Larry's woman an’ baby died when Old Marc sent him up to Auburn, an’ the best of me cracked when he grabbed Jerry right out of. my arms.” Both girls sobbed loudly. Then Pollyop cleared her throat and wipl her face.

“An’ your mnn railroaded my daddy to Auburn," she gasped, “after plantin’ something on him he didn’t do; an’ evory one of you, knew it.” Her voice rose to a high-pitched scream as she remembered the lust scene in the county jail. £ “(!od, wasn’t it awful?" she cried. l“An’ you—” She leaned over and grasped Evelyn's arm. “You could ’a’_ let ind go to Auburn If you’d ’a’ tried, but ySu didn’t. An’ then —then you said you didn’t give me that dress. You're all liars —an'—an' —sneaks, you money folks be.” Her hand reached out and touched the ax, but she withdrew it as if an adder had been under her fingers. She was not~yet able to do the. deed which the had longed to do and thought would he a joy. Her head sagged forward, and again came - Jeremiah’s weeping face before her. “If you’d ’a’ seen my daddy in the Ithaca jaiiy jnebbe you’d be able to think what I'm goin' to do is all right. Yep, all right'.” she rasped. Then she went on hoarsely, faltering as She described the horrors that all her loved ones had gone through. Her voice choked and became silent as she thought of Robert. She could not force her tongue to say a word about him, although her heart throbbed bitterly as his name came to her lips. “Money!" she whispered brokenly, lifting her head. "Hid you hear your man say money to us squatters as if cash’d pay for Larry’s woman an’ Jerry an’ my daddy? You heard, didn’t you?” Evelyn’s head sagged forvyard, and a spasiti passed over iier face as her eyes closed. Site looked as If-she had died. Roily Hopkins had seen death enter the Silent City many a time; and her heart-strings tightened. “Ar-e you gone?” she questioned.in a hissing whisper. The other girl’s lids lifted slowly, and never had Rollyop seen such an expression in humuu eyes in all her *Hfe. • "Not yet,” dropped from the' blue lips, “and—and—oh, Pollyop, I’m so afraid to die. I don’t know-how I Oh, God, help me; 1 feel so sick.” “Daddy were sick, too," shot back Polly, ”nn' Jerry's turned up his toes jby this time! I ain't heard a word from him since he was took away. Mebbe 1 could a’ seen him If you hadu’t made your cousin believe I were a bad woman! What d’you know

about babies, an’ how connin’ an' sweet they ate? You’re as wicked as h —l! Ithaca'll be better off when you’re food for the fishes. I'm glad your man'll live, though. Lordy, how I laughed when he busted into the shanty. And there was you right beside me! Huh? Wasn’t it a good joke on Old Masc?” The speaker held Evelyn's stare, the chestnut eyes glittering as the question was fairly spat out. “I can’t die, Pollyop!" groaned Evelyn, her head drooping against the cot. "Oh, Polly dear, listen—please—” Polly reached out for the ax, “Don't you dare ’Polly dear’ me,” she gritted convulsively, "or I’ll hit you with this!” "God ! —Jesus!" came from between Evelyn’s chattering teeth. “No, don’t pick It up! Don’t! Oh, I want to tell you something, Polly Hopkins.” “Then lire ahead,” Polly grumbled sullenly. She withdrew her fingers from the ax-handle and leaned her chin in the palm of her hand. - Evelyn straightened up and bent forward, her eyes swimming with tears. “Polly," she gasped, "Pollyop, in the summer God’s going to send me a little baby. Oh, Polly—” The squatter girl scrambled up as the speaker dropped back, terrified at the exultant fire in the brow n eyes and the awful smile that crept across Polly’s face. “Glory be to God in the sky!” she cried. “Two of you belongin’ to Old Mare goin’ with one swipe of the ax.” She wheeled around and paced the length of the shanty. Old Marc's baby! Old Marc’s woman! Both to go o*it of his life forever! And by her hands —hers, Polly Hopkins’ hands! She lifted them up, those slender, brown fingers, arid looked at them against the candlelight. But a few months ago they had been the most willing fingers in all the county ! But tonight—Marc’s baby ! Evelyn’s baby ! Liken hive of bees, the Joy of dissipating the home of Marcus MacKenzie buzzed through her b’rain. No sound came from the girl on “the floor, for Evelyn MacKenzie had given up all hope. The squatter girl was crazy. No human being could entertain such a ghastly purpose and be in his right mind! .. „

Presently she called Polly’s name faintly, and then again; because Polly gave her no heed, she cried louder: “Pollyop, my feet hurt so! I can't bear it!-” Polly paused, leaned against the wall and glared at her. “I’m glad they do that,” she muttered. “You can’t hurt anywhere too much to suit me!” Then something gave way behind her. and wheeling around, she-found herself staring into the face of “The Greatest Mother lh the World.” Daddy’s dust-covered coat which had hidden the picture all the past weeks lay at her feet. 'As she looked, the glare left Polly's eyes. The serious face that had once smiled at her, the smile that had been a benediction for herself and Daddy Hopkins, was there no longer. Rather was there an expression of sorrow. Death rested in the nurse’s arms, but from her whole reverent attitude the sense of protection swept out at Polly Hopkins. Then suddenly she heard a Plan’s voice. It seemed to drift into the hut through every crevice and crack. “And you're the Littlest Mother In the World,” came plainly to her. Like one struck, she stood rboted to the spot: Evelyn MacKenZle over there against the bed faded from her mind. Old Marc’s imaged face went away as If it had never seered her Vision. Over and over the delightful words, Robert had spoken to her rushed into' her ears and stamped themselves in golden fire on. her memory. “I love you, Polly,” touched her like a caress, and, “You're my little girl," fell upon her like the tender hand of Granny Hope's God. “The Greatest Motheriu the World,” whispered Pollyop; and then, something hard and hateful within her broke, and the flood-tides of love came pouring In. As when a dain hursts, the pent-up waters" Sweep away all the accumulated rubbish In the ’old, unused channels, so was the squatter girl’s heart cleansed of every unlovely emotion. To her uplifted vision “The Greatest Mother in the World” smiled again In benediction; and beyoiuT her, dim in the background, uppeared a wrinkled, toothless smile, and Polly heard Granny Hope's withered lips saying: “Love’s the hull thing, brat, just love, an’ love, an’ keep on lovin'." Full of the tenderest compassion, Pollyop turned swiftly, and at the sight of her flashing, radiant face,

Evelyn fanned, toppled loiwaid und rolled almost under the bed. The squatter girl bounded to her Side, her frantic fingers tearing liaise the ropes that Larry and Lye Braeger. had made secure around Evelyn’s body. They fell away, leaving the girl but a little heap on the floor. Tears streamed ovef*her dark lashes as Pollyop gathered the limp bead of Evelyn 3lacKenr.it into her arms. And then she prayed as Granny Hope had taught Tier to pray. "Our Bather which art In heaven." The rest of the petition slipped 'from . her mind, and she quoted with chattering teeth. "The l.ord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Her strong arms lifted Evelyn and as she rolled over on the cot, Polly Hopkins stood up and cried: ’ “Underneath Old Marc’s woman are your everlasting arms, God dear!” CHAPTER XVI “Can you speak to me?” Pollyop’s voice was as Tender as when she had repeated heavenly promises to the sgd ones of the Silent City and had taught them that love was ever present. Evelyn gazed at her electrified. The hrown eyes were softly luminous. The lips which only a little while ago were strained and blue now were scarlet and fraught with sympathy. What wonderful thing had happened? Pollyop bad taken the rope off her feet and hands. She could wriggle a little, although her flesh hurt dreadfully when she tried it. Prompted by the attempted movement, Pollyop dropped to her knees and began to chafe the injured ankles. “I’m goin’ to give you back to your man,” she said, quaking. “But you got to swear to him I swiped you, an’ not any srjuatter men. He’ll jail me forever, mebtie. but I don’t care about that. I love Larry an’ Lye Braeger too much to haul ’em Into this.” Then her face fell beside Mrs. MacKenzie’s, and she wept hysterically. Evelyn’s fingers clutched at the chestnut curls. “Pollyop, oh, Polly, darling!” This was all she could say, for she, too, was weeping even more wildly than the other. In the presence of such divine unselfishness, the petals of her withered sou! seemed to lift and open, as she groped for a broader understanding. "Granny Hope learned "me a lot of things,” came up to Evelyn brokenly. “She always said, Granny Hope did,

“I'm Afraid of Everybody,” Gasped Evelyn. that love was stronger’n hate an’ I must just pray your man wouldn’t_be so wicked to us squatters." The glistening brown head rolled back- and forth In'consuming agony. “Don’t, "Polly darling,” Evelyn begged. "Don’t, it’s all right now. And my husband will—” Polly sat up. brushing back damp ringlets from her brow. “He won’t do nothin’ to help me,” she shot out. “Nothin’ at all! First, I know him bettering you do. -Then next, I wouldn’t ask him. ’Cause—’cause I'm that bad, I .ought to lie without my Daddy Hbpklns an’ my Jerry-baby.” Her voice rose in Wild appeaL “But, God dear, how-much I want 'em. Oh, how 1 want ’em I” ' " The words cut into Evelyn’s heart with tlie keenness of physical pain. Only a little while before she had stood, alone at the brink of the grave. There had been no hope that the summmer would bring a helpless wee thing to hold her close to'Marcus. Rut now— Her thoughts whirled. So great was her faith in Polly Hopkins that she knew in a little vvßfle she would be back in her husband’s arms. The attack of weeping over, Pollyop arose and beat again into pap the hard bread and hot water. ThisiHme she took all the sugar left in the cup*" hoard. Daddy would not be home for over two years, and Baby Jerry probably never,—'and she —she wouldn’t be, in the shanty-long. Groaning, she whipped the spoon so fiercely that some of the contents of the cup splashed,oh the floor. “It ain’t very toothsome,” she said, coming back to the cot ; “but the hut’s cold, an’ you need a~lot-of warmin’ up. I’m goin’ now,an’ get your man. Yotr get this hot pap into your stomach while I’m gone.” Evelyn waved the cup’ away, holding out a shaking hand.

THE XAPPANEE ADVAXCE-NEWS

"I don’t want you to, go without me, Pollyop," she cried. "Please, don't leave me here alone. I’m terribly seared, 1—I—" The grave young squatter contemplated fipr for the space of twenty secomls/Tferhaps. "You’re afruid of the fishermen, ain't you, Miss?” she uskedt “Well, you've got a right to be! Larry’s different from tlie rest, though lie was as willin’, up to this night, to chop off your head, as me. But Larry’s heart’s soft and kind, Lurry’s is.” “I’m afraid of everybody,” gasped Evelyn. "Everybody but you, Polly. Please, tuke me with you, or—or—let me stay till morning." A slight shake of Pollyop’s head brought Evelyn to a sitting position, lint pain-racked bones and nerves laid her back again. “There,” interjected the other girl. “You cun see how hard it’d he to get you through the snow to your ma’s house.*" You’d die before you gut there. I'm blest If.you wouldn’t. No, I got to go alone, Miss." Noting tlie fear in Mrs. Mackenzie's eyes, she bent over the cot. “Will you believe something I’m goin’ to tell you, Eve?” she said In a wheedling tone. i "Surely I will, Polly," answered Evelyn, wiping her eyes, “but I’m o afraid, so awfully afraid.” “That’s, no lie," replied Pollyop impetuously, "an' as 1 said, you got a right to be scared of the squatters. Why, only this afternoon I tinted you an' Old Marc as hard as the rest of the Silent City folks—more, mebbe! But —but what 1 was really goin' to tell you is this. If I lug you along with me, you won’t have no baby in the summer. That’s God's truth I’m tellln’ you, too." Evelyn lowered her lids, and a painful flush mounted to her hair.

“You’re wantin’ the little thing, ain’t you?” demanded Polly, her voice vibrant with emotion. “Now, be a big woman, an’ stay while I’m gone, will you? I’ll promise to hustle for all I’m worth.” Mrs. Mackenzie’s timid glance ran around the room. “I suppose so,” she whimpered, “but what if some of your people came here?” She shuddered and went on hurriedly : “Polly, what’re you going to say to Marcus?” “I don't know yet," mumbled Pollyop, ‘%ut PH bring him Tack. Oh, I got it! Shy, I’ll stick you away in Granny Hope's coop-hole. No squatter'd think to go in there, even if he' comes in. Here! I’ll help you.” Tenderly she coaxed and begged, but without avail, and patiently Polly sat dowm on the side of the cot. “Miss Eve," she took up in low tones, “I’m goin’ to tel] you something Granny Hope told me. Now, you want to get home to your man, don’t you?" “Yes, yes, oh, so bad, Pollyop,” cried Evelyn, "but I can’t stay here alone! I can’t! I can’t!” She did not think then of the many days and nights the other girl hud passed by herself in the same little shack. “Mebbe It does seem so, Eve," said Polly Hopkins. “But, honey, when I’m done you’ll be thinkin’ different. Now. listen : don’t you know way down in your insides that your man’s nearly sufferin’ his life away?” Evelyn burst forth into weeping afresh. “Os course I know.it, Polly,” she sobbed, "but —” “An’ you want him to be walling all night till daybreak, not knowin’ whether you’re in the land of the livin’ or not, huh?” - This was a solemn question asked by a very solemn-eyed girl. “Another thing,continued Polly. “When it conics daybreak, there’ll be a lot of squatters about. They come every day to this hutT I’d have to leave you then, wouldn’t I? Tonight

It's stormin', an’ most of ’em are in bed. I could run as fast as a rabbit an’ be back in a jiffy. Can’t you screw up your courage an’ let me go?” This long statement Evelyn thought over for a few moments. Then: "Perhaps I could, if—” "I know you can,” interrupted Pollypp. ‘*Now, listen; Granny Hope said anything you want you can '■ have out of love’s own Heart for the askin’.” “But I’m such wicked girl,” moaned! .EJyelyn dismally. “So he I,” returned Pollyop promptly. “We’re, both rotten bad, God knows, but never mind all- that now. I got to get Old Marc; an’ the only way you can help is t 6 stay quiet while I'm out for him, Now. lean on me an’ I'll stow you away in the rubbish room till I get back." Ashamed to make further appeals to -the girl who was showing more "spirit than she tiad ever thought possible for any girl to show, Evelyn allowed Pollyop to pick her up and stand her on the floor. • Then tiie weak leaned on the strong, _and when Polly Hopkins tucked -the blankets about Evelyn, she whispered : “Granny said- prayers in this room all last, yea( an’ way on till she died. ‘The Lortf Is my shepherd, I shall not want!’ Granny said was one of the best to' keep In mind,” (TO BE CONTINUED.) Looking Ahead. Wedmore —What's the idea of giving your fiancee a cigarette case? Does she smoke? Gaybo.v—Oh, no, hut she's Just about due to break off and send my presets back, and I can use it myself. Ways of the Sex. When a young man asks a girl fox her photograph she immediately class’, fles him as a matrimonial possibility. —Boston Transcript

I REFORMING JIMMY I By LILY WANDEL iUi-, by A*cclui'e Aewapuper SynUicaie. Alvina nun fallen in love with Jimmie O’Toole and tlie whole town held', its breath. “She’ll full out of love as quickly as she came in. Jiiuiuy’ll see to that," prophesied her younger brother, ■George. “It’s an awful disgrace,” walled her sister Marie. “Tlie very ideu! We, of tlie best old family in the county, the aristocratic Moreheads—-and Jimmy O’Toole, the black sheep of even such a family as the O’Toole’s! Besides, lie’s younger than she!” “Utterly incomprehensible to me,” declared the mother gravely. “Alvina lias always bepn so conventional, almost too much, and so very particular with whom she associated.” Tlie door opened and the family looked somewhat embarrassed as a slim young woman, her refined, sweet features fairly shining with happiness, came into tlie room. “Oil, you’ve been discussing me; don’t deny it,” she laughed. “My dear, tlie whole town is discussing you!” her sister deplored. “I don’t care. Neither does Jimmie with defiant, good humor. “Oh. Jimmie O’Toole, he’s used to notoriety.” If Alvina winced no one noticed except her mother. “My dear,” said the latter gently, “I am very much concerned about you. Jimmie O’Toole has not the best of reputations and I cannot see how such a marriage will bring you any happiness.” “May I udd a word?* asked the brother and, without waiting for permission, “you’ll never marry him, because Jimmie isn’t the sticking kind. He’s flattered at present that he has been able to: bowl oyer the most conservative girl in town.” Alvina’s quick eye went from one to tlie other. “Y'ou all have forgotten one thing—that sve love each other. There’s another tiling, too, I’m going :o reform Jinnnie.”

Things went along beautifully for T week or two, Alvina glowing with happiness, the town and her family still skeptical. Then one evening Jimmie. piisseii an engagement -and Alvina waited in vain. It was George who brought the had -news. “Well, Jimmie's fallen off —I knew it,” with a grim laugh. “Os course, I did, too,” came Al- * .inn's surprising reply; “he is. no urigel—it's difficult to break bad habits all at once. I’ve been quite prepared for one or two slipbaeks!” Tlie family only sighed. The next day Jimmie appeared repentant, full of new promises. There were several more slipbaeks snd Alvina's face became slightly drawn and anxious. Jimmie's calls became less frequent and tlie family felt that the end ot Alvina’s love affair was neat;, while Alvina herself grew pale and pin (Wedlooking. It tiappened one evening when Alvina waited with growing nervousness for Jimmie. They were to hear a lecture on thoaght-confVol, and he had promised faithfully to he there at sev-en-thirty. Alvina waited, her nervous-ness-funned by tlie family’s remarks. The clock struck eight, and no Jimmy in sight. At nine o’clock Alvina burst into tours and went to her room, locking door. “I think she is writing Min a letter —breaking the engagement,” remarked her mother to the other two. “Poor child, and she loved him so much!” The next morning a different Alvina tame dow T n to breakfast. Not a trace of nervousness, anxiousness or hurry in her manner.

- After an hour’s shopping she called ip Jimmie and asked him to take her -for lunch. .."Jimmie,” Alvina was saying at a rucked-away table in a tea room, “I’ve given up reforming you!” “That means good-by, I guess,” he ieducted with a sigh, high relieved, half unhappy. “Not that I blame you, Ahi im. you've been an angel and I’m dot good enough to buckle yciur shoes. But I want to say this much, dear, that all j-ou’ve done lias not been entirely for nothing.''-There always was a.remnant of self-respect in me. a love and admiration for the fine tilings of' life—” ‘’•Jimmy O’Toole," interrupted Alrina smilingly, “I’ve given up reforming you, hut not loving you 1 I’ve been a prude and a poke and I expected the impossible of you. Look There,” she. Unwrapped a bundle, "all the newest sporting magazines,” and bringing a shining article front her bag, “a cigarette case! And .here,” she drew from tier purse two tickets, “for a musical remedy tonight! Now wlmt do you say?” Jimmie did not touriTT the things before him, lint took Alvina’s slim lingers ja bis brown hands, ami his voice when ve spoke'Was lnisky and low. "That you are the finest woman I know, that I love you too much ever to give you up and that I will make no more promises in the future. Thts partnership will he a fifty-fifty proposition, iecause I’ve grown to like some of your books and ideas.” She smiled at him through her tears and whispered, “Nothing really ’ouITTS, except that we love each itlier 1” Must Have Been Pretty Bad. Police Inspector—Describe the missng ladies to me, will you, sir? Jackson—Well, one of them was iretty, but the other—er—looked like in accident going somewhere to-hup. >en.—London Answers.

1 S Buy this Cigarette and Save Money

Remarkable Indeed. “You see that stout old chap in the corner?” asked Jones. “Yes. Whath about him?" replied Smith. “He’s a wonderful acrobat.” “Go on! He looks like a stock broker.” “go he is.” “But I thought you said he was an acrobat.” “He’s both. I asked him yesterday whether he was””busy, and he said: ‘My boy, I Just hang on from day to day,' keeping my nose above water by the skin of my teeth.!.” A Second Chance. “Do I understand you to say that you will cell this S7O dining-room set on the installment plan for only SSOO down and $3 a week?” “That’s the offer.” “Why; man, by the time It was paid for it would be old and worn out.” “Yes. I know. But then you could sell it for a genuine antique!”—Judge. . A Dove of a Gjrl. “Has your typewriter a billing attachment?” “No; but she has a coo-* ing attachment.” 8

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His Answer. Crossing the street the Woman dodged the motorcars, taxis and wagons. She was almost safely on the other side when a very young boy on a bicycle almost steered into her. The Woman turned around. “Why don’t you blow your horn instead of almost knocking a lady down?” she called out crossly. The boy grinned. “Lady,” he yelled, “you can’t blow what you ain’t got!”— Chicago Journal. Cuticura Soothes Baby Rashes That itch and burn, by hot baths of Cuticura Soap followed by gentle anointings of Cuticura Ointment Nothing better, purer, sweeter, especially if a little of the fragrant Cuticura Talcum is dusted on at the finish. 25c each. —Advertisement. Avoiding Extremes. “Do you admire skirts so short as to Justify the term ‘flapper’?” “No,” replied Miss Cayenne,„“yet I don’t want them so long brush the street. There should be a happy medium between tlie flapper SKirt and (lie flopper skirt.” * '

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