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Show Storm Country Polly by Grace Miller White Copyright by Little, Erown & Co. comfort to every one on earth that needs liclp." "Colly, she's some mother, ain't she?" breathed Polly soberly. "She's beautiful too. Squatter mammies has too many kids lo stay handsome like her." She made a backward motion with her thumb toward the fence and searched his face gravely. A choking sensation in Robert's throat made him cough. The girl's statement was like a charcoal drawing draw-ing In which a few broad lines tell the whole story. He felt his interest in her Increase. She was the quaintest, prettiest and niost solemn child he had ever seen. Yes, he knew she was an inhabitant of the Silent City by the clothes she wore, and the thin, bow-legged bow-legged child, to say nothing of the be-whlskered be-whlskered goat and woolly lamb that were with her. "What's your name?" he Inquired. "Just Pollyop," was the answer. "Polly Hopkins. My daddy Is Jeremiah Jere-miah Hopkins, the mayor of this settlement." set-tlement." Surely ! Robert remembered very well MacKenzle speaking of Hopkins, and he remembered too the painted invitation over a hut door as if It were before his eyes. Looking Pollyop over from the top of her curly head to the tips of her bare feet, he decided that she had written It. Question after question he flung at I her, and answer after answer came from Polly's lips. Sue told him where she lived, and how she cooked the beans, bacon and fish Daddy Hopkins provided ; how cold it was in the shanty when the cruel north wind swept up the lake; and how wet it was when the rain fell and clammy fogs shrouded the world in gray ; how Granny Hope was sick with pains. She gave him an Inside view of life in the Silent City. Long before she had finished fin-ished her recital, Perclval's courtesy had put her at her ease, and she was chattering like a magpie. "Can I do something for you, Polly Hopkins?" queried Robert, as she finished fin-ished telling about life in the squatters' squat-ters' city. She flung out both hands In a comprehensive com-prehensive gesture as much as to say he could see for himself how much she needed. "Sure, sure you can," she said with fierce emphasis. "You can make Old JIarc leave us squatters be. You're bigger'n he is! The squatters need you awful had." Her voice broke. Robert took a long breath. Of course he could help this girl and her people. He would, too I As far as money gave power, he could equal and surpass Marcus MacKenzie. "I did try to talk sense into Mr. MncKcniie's head," he returned presently, pres-ently, "but now I will make him leave you alone." In spite of the curved lips about which a smile lurked, there was apprehension appre-hension in her voice when she asked: "Can you lick 'lm to a finish, mister?" mis-ter?" "Yes, I think I could," laughed Rob-erf; Rob-erf; "but it won't be necessary." "Then I see us Silent City folks belli' happy again." sighed Polly. "We got a awful lot of things an' folks to take care of here." Robert made a sweep with his arm that encompassed the group before him. "You have, evidently!" he laughed. "An' I got more home," interjected Polly. "I got Daddy Hopkins an' Granny Hope tin' this brat is my brother, an' this goat is Billy Hopkins an' this lamb's Nunnyop. Oh, sure, sir, I've got a hull lot to love in this good old city." Polly made an upward motion with her hand toward the picture on the fence. "She's got a bunch to love, too," she said softly. "Ain't she?"' He walked to her side and contemplated contem-plated with her the pictured woman, making her silent appeal to them for the wounded boy in her arms. "Of course she has." answered Per-cival Per-cival reverently. "She's the Greatest Mother in the World, Polly Hopkins, and and " his gaze dropped upon her, and he continued, "and you're the littlest mother In the world." A glad smile widened the girl's lips. All the fear that hud been as a ton weight upon her had fallen away. She wanted to pay him the highest compliment compli-ment she knew, yhen he had mounted, mount-ed, she told him gently: "Some day you'll be the biggest an' most beautifulest daddy in the world. ( lood-by." "Then Pcr'Mvnl rtepped in. Two well-nlanted thumps laid Bennett like a log on the ground." (TO EE CONTINUED.) I ajUMmlll I I 1WHWIIII M I !! IIKI II IIMll THE "ANGEL" KVNOPH1S -Ot rnpylncr a nllapl-d.in-U Hliark In llm Silent City, a Hnu.ilter nit! l.-ment ne;ir Ithara. New York, I'ully Ibipklns llvi-s with l,f:r father, small Jerry, anil an old wttnan, (iranny Hope. On an adjaeent farm, Osear llennett. prosperous farmer. Is a neighbor. Hft Is seeretly married to Kyelyn Hohertson. hu pponed ly wealthy Kirl of tlie neighborhood. Marcus Mae-Kenie. Mae-Kenie. who owns the ground the squatters occupy, Is their determined deter-mined enemy. I'olly overhears a con versatfon between MacKenzie and a Hi ranker, In which the former avows his Intention of driving the wiualters from his land. The stranger stran-ger xympathlzes witli the suuattera. and earns I'olly's gratitude. Kvelyn Kobertson disc overs from her mother moth-er thai they are not rich, but practically prac-tically living on the bounty of KolK-rt I'ercival, Evelyn's cousin folly learns from lOvelyn that the Rynipathetlc stronger Is Robert Perclval. Kvelyn charges folly with a message, to Bennett, telling him she ran give him no more money. Ehe alrenjly bitterly regrets nor marriage to toe Ignorant farmer. farm-er. Polly conveys her message and Oscar makes threats. He Insists Kvelyn meet him that night. Polly has hor father and Larry Bishop. a 8(uiiHor, take an oath to do MacKenzie Mac-Kenzie no injury. Kvelyn unsuccessfully unsuccess-fully tries to get money from her molher with which to buy off Bennett Ben-nett and Induce him to leave the country, giving her her freedom. Rhc and MacKenzie avow their lovo. CHAPTER V Continued. 5 "I wanted to 'fess up to you' this morning. Poll," Oscar ran on. "It's a funny thing, but I reckon I care more for your little finger than for Kve's whole body. Maybe some day nflur I get nil her cash " I'olly coughed down a lump that persisted in coining up in her throat. "You needn't spiel lovin's lo mo. Oscar," Os-car," she gulped, "an' I believe In be-in' be-in' honest. So, before your womnn comes, I might as well give you a hit of my mind. If I owned you from your cap to your bools. I wouldn't use you for a (looriunt in front of Daddy's shnnty !" lie shot n look of amazement. The confident smile faded from his face, and his lips sagged at the corners. Then he aroe to his feet. "I been thinking about you all dny," he broke forth. "You've got everything every-thing looks, action and brains. I wnnl you. Pollyop and I'm going to kiss you this lime, so help me God!" He took a step toward her r.nd Polly scrambled up. Just at that moment Mvelyn Robertson entered. Oscar P.en-nett P.en-nett turned swiftly, and Polly, very pale, plac ed herself at five's side. And as the wind foamed the lake to fury and shook Granny Hope's forsaken little lit-tle hid. the man and two girls stood silem a long, lease minute. Then Oscar smiled at Kvelyi', a triumphant, tri-umphant, insulting nnile. "So you thought it best to nil-id me. my lady." he laughej. "I guess ar'cr a while you'll come to know I moan what 1 mi.v." Kve tried lo speak hut could not. I'olly squeezed her arm encouragingly. "You're a mean duffer, Oscar," she thrust in. "Your woman's scared of you. that's all. Try bein' belter, an' see how she likes it." "She's got a good right to be d d scared," gnii-:ed l'.ennett. "Now out with it. Kve. What's Ihe rumpus? You haven't sent me a cent for a month." With shaking fingers Evelyn pushed hack her wind-blown hair. "1 couldn't get any money. Oscar," she wailed! "My allowance is all gone. I guve every cent of it to you. You know very well mother won't give me any more." She hud one enrd left to play, and she ho)ed it wou'd take the trick. "I might as well tell you," she continued, con-tinued, the steel in her eyes willing away the blue. "Mother hasn't any money. All I thought we bad belongs to Cousin P.ob." She ceased speaking and waited an instant to note how her news struck her husband. lie flung up a clenched fist. "The devil take you. Kve!" he cried. "Don't try to put anything over on me like that. You're the biggest liar in Tompkins canity." That lie parlly believed her showed in his manner. "1VI never 'a' marripd yon if I'd a koown that two years ago." Oscar asserted as-serted hoarsely. "You can be depd certain of that, my lady. You were pivlty o::rrful to keep your money troubles to yourself. Sit down, belli of you! You're shivering tike two eats." Impn!sro!y Kvelyn went toward him. "(th. Ox.-ir. listen, listen to me." sl'e said, trying to steady her voioo. "I want to he free. I can't, I can't live this v:iv any longer." A coar-e oaih fell from Dennett's lips. "You don't need to." he shouted. "You got a home to come to my home. You can do the work' my old mother's doim.'. It's your job. not hers. You're my wife, by ginger, and as I said to Pollyop here, you live with me. or you rii'.' up. I don't give a tink?r's d n uhieli yen do." His voh-e grew deep as hp fi"is!ind. and an evil, taunting smile drew up Ms Ii". Kvelvn shuddered and swayed, and Polly slipped one arm around her w aist. "Vou v. ant to be free from me. eh? That's It, is It?" he sneered. "Some other guy looming up to love. I s'pose. Well, 1 don't mi:id who gets my leavings leav-ings if you make It worlh my while. I !ut if not " Kvelyn's pale, beseeching face lifted to his. She could uot quit him without with-out his promise that she should have her freedom. Neither must he think that she could get him a large sum of money. "1 can't get another dollar," she repeated re-peated hoarsely. "I simply can't. And and I must be free." A frown drew the man's heavy brows together until they touched, and be llfled his fist to strike; but Polly Hopkins, by one swift movement, thrust Evelyn from under the man's upraised arm and crowded In between them. Hecause Evelyn was his wife, he had the right to beat her if he pleased, Polly thought, but he would not dure to strike Polly. "If you've got to swat some one, Oscar," Os-car," she gritted between her teeth, "swat me !" The beautiful white face came close to Bennett's, and the challenge In the squatter girl's Hashing eyes stirred a feeling within him that he never bad had for Evelyn Robertson. Oscar had always believed that a woman must fear it man to respect him, and that to respect him meant to love blm. He did not want Evelyn Robertson In the farmhouse, but he did want money and Polly Hopkins. If he could master her as he had Eve, she would come to him willingly when he was ready for her. Working on that principle, he struck out. As the huge list came in contact with I'ollyop's shoulder, she staggered backward. Her low cry was followed by Evelyn's scream. The squatter girt sunk to the floor limply. No one had ever struck her before. "You've killed her," cried Evelyn; and Oscar Bennett, fearful that the girls' clamor would summon some inquisitive in-quisitive squatter, turned swiftly to go. "Both of you keep mum about this, in y lady," he ordered. "I'm off! See?" With that he tore open the shanty door; and Evelyn stood panting with her hand on her heart until the sound of his running footsteps was lost in the windstorm. Then Evelyn led Tolly Hopkins home. One arm hung at the squatter girl's side; and the pain In her shoulder, shoul-der, where Oscar's fist had landed, was terrific. On Hearing the shack, Polly whispered : "Mebbe he'll be quiet a while now. You'd best scoot home, huh?" A small box passed from Evelyn's handbag to the squatter girl's pocket. "I brought them for Jerry," said Evelyn softly, "and oh, Polly, whatever what-ever can I do for you to even up tilings? Perhaps " "Scoot home," interrupted Polly, "I'm goin' in." Pollyop stole Into the shnnty in the greatest torment she had ever known. Granny Hope and Daddy Hopkins had gone to bed, and she could hear her father's loud breathing from the back room. She was glad of that, for if he were to learn how- she bad been hurt, his rage would know no bounds. She lighted a candle and looked about dazedly. The billy goat was snuggled against the wood-box; and Nannie l.amh poked her head up and blinked at the light. Polly put down the candle and slipped the dress from her shoulder. How dreadfully it hurt her! Oh, how she wanted something to make her misery less ! But squatters did not have money to spend on drugstore drug-store remedies. From an old can she poured a little coal oil on a rag and bathed the injured in-jured flesh. Then she took up the lamb and dropped into a chair by the table. In sheer exhaustion her head sank down upon it. After a while she straightened up. threw hack her curls, and raised the lamb's face to hers, a wry smile flitting across her lips. "It's goin' to be a hard job lovin' Oscar and' Old Marc like Jesus loved wicked folk, Nannyop," she said under her breath, "but mebbe now I been face to face with a angel, I can do it." Again her head fell forward; hut almost instantly she arose, and with the lamb in her right arm like a baby, moved to the side of the bed. Then she snuggled the lamb under the blankets and put Granny Hope's Bible beneath her pillow. Carefully she slipped off hor clothes and put on a coarse nightrobe. Then, having snuffed ihe candle, she crawled in beside the iamb. CHAPTER VI. Twice had the golden sun sunk in a welter of splendid colors behind West hill, and twice bad the warmth ' of his rising scattered the mists from the lakeside since the encounter in the hut. and I'olly Hopkins was making ready for her daily v alk through the Silent City. ; It was her custom to go among tin squatters and give them courage, ti tell Ihem that they had a right t' , their lioaies, to food, and warmth, low J I. or girl's heart ached for their duud misery ! Surely the squatters hud suffered suf-fered in the past year! Many a boy had been taken from his home and sent to prance, and many a mother had crept about the settlement with grief-worn face, waiting for news from over the seu. Pollyop understood what war meant. The squatters were always at war! Granny Hope had explained to her that, whenever people fought and were cruel to one another, that was war. Hadn't she warred but two nights ago with Oscar Bennett? She had not seen him since, and the puln and humiliation be had dealt her had been lightened by Granny Hope's assurances that love- was the leveler of hate. So Polly, having quantities of love and sympathy to spare, sent it broadcast over the hopeless ones In the settlement and promptly put Oscar Os-car Bennett's cruelty out of her mind. She tlid not even remember sometimes how much the milk Oscar had be-grudgingly be-grudgingly given her was missed In the shack. To offset that deprivation, she was free from him and the ugly quarrels she had bad to settle almost dally between him and Evelyn. This morning, while Daddy Hopkins was In Ithaca, Pollyop started out with her many loves for a walk. On her shoulder perched Wee Jerry ; at her side, In stately dignity, stalked the billy goat, and tied to one of her arms by a small rope gamboled Nannie Lnmb Hopkins. Through the Silent City she wandered, wan-dered, helping people here and there to see the sunny side of things. Beyond Be-yond the row of shacks was the fence Marcus MacKenzie had erected to keep the squatters from trespassing on bis woodland, and in front of It Polly Hopkins stood. A bill poster had passed and left on the fence a picture pic-ture that caught her attention. It was a beautiful woman, her eyes saddened with tears,- and she looked straight out of exquisite coloring at the wide-eyed squatter girl. In her arms was a withered, sick, little man, and Pollyop knew that somewhere over the ocean an enemy, perhaps a man like Old Marc, had hurt him. The woman held him close as she looked at Polly, and for a moment the girl's eyes slung with tears. Then she went Umi tee I f M Then She Went Closer to the Fence and Spelled Out the Words Under the Picture: "The Greatest Mother in the World." closer to the fence and spelled out the words under the picture: "The Greatest Great-est Mother in the World." Ah! So she was, this protector of the hurt and the sick ! The Red Cross poster carried its wondrous message to the very bottom of the squatter girl's heart. A sound, close at hand, caused her to turn swiftly. A man on horseback hud drawn up on the side of the road. The blood came ifi swift leaps to Polly's face. There was the "beautiful "beauti-ful angel" looking down upon her! What could she do but stare back at him? In another Instant he hud dismounted dis-mounted anil was coming toward her. Jerry slid from her shoulders to the ground. I'ollyop's hand clasped his; but she did not speak. What had happened hap-pened to her "angel?" He looked different dif-ferent ; more like the other men she occasionally saw on horseback. That was it ! He was not wearing the ollve-drah ollve-drah uniform! To add to l.er confusion confu-sion Robert I'ercival was smiling at her in the most friendly way. Then he glanced up at the picture, his tine I face saddening. "The Greatest Mother in the World. i little girl," he said, ami lie smiled again. : "The Greatest Mother in the World." 1 repeated Pollyop, in awetl tones. "Does that mean she's mother to the squatter kids what was hurt in the i war. mister?" i "Yes," he replied after a short pause "Yes. it means that, and more. She's mother to every hurt boy and brings |