The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-02-28

fully. "lf do not act at once It Will
be too late" he observed.
That evening when Mrs. Van Hous-
ton and her daughter. Mrs. Odell re-
! turned from the opera they found Mr..
Clarendon in the reception room.
II hope this visit is not to tell us
that our funds are low" laughed Mrs.
Odell.
81 have not come TO scold, dear
madam, but to tell you bit of news.
have business of a private nature to
communicate TO you, Mrs. Odell. Pc
| ter Van Houston was in my office to-
day"
Both women uttered sharp exclama-
tions the younger shivered. 81 hoped
he was dead" she said.
"Will he sue for his share in his fa-
.ther's estateT' cried Mrs. Van Hous.
ton. "Oh, what Il blow, Elizabeth, we
will not receive him.
81 always expected IT." Mrs. Odell
said. "And now this awful news is
brought to us! | shall refuse to see
him.
The lawyer, instructing the ladies to
secrecy, told them of Mr.. Van Hous-
tons will and the conditions imposed
and later took his departure.
peter evidently inherited his IA
TIERS talent for money getting" Mrs
Van Houston observed. THANK for
tune, he can live but year longer.
Peter as n young man was extremely
tiresome"
"Never mind, mother" Mrs. Odell
cried. 81 am going to get that money.
All. the front door! Marmaduke," she
called out, "ncwsw Her husband,
fastidious looking man, entered the
room
The next day Peter Van Houston
presented himself at his sisters house.
Mrs. Van Houston and her daughter
received him.
eve are so surprIsedr' said the older
woman, extending her hand cordially.
"Only the bad penny turning up
again." her stepson answered 1--WE
had hard life, mother. For years,
rather than return TO my family pen
nlless, ! have lived by doing odd Jobs
here and there, but at last i'll health
and poverty drove me home"
They asked him to remain to dinner,
and he accepted the invitation.
Later in the evening, as Mr.. Odell
was showing him to the door, Mr. Van
Houston surprised him by asking for
the loan of $50.
81 am a poor man, Marmaduke." he
said as he took it. Il do not know
when | can return IT,"
do not let that worry you, my good
fellow" Mr.. Odell replied. "Any time
will suit me-" He shut the door.
How the man tries to catch usr' he
exclaimed.
A night a week later Mr. and Mrs
Odell were receiving their friends.
The house was ablaze with the glare
of many lights. Women in handsome
toilets and men immaculate in evening
clothes moved about exchanging greet
ings.
All the pleasure of anticipation of
this evenings enjoyment had been
spoiled for the hostess by the uncer-
tdluly III Hcr Hllllu WDclDcr 10 invite
her brother or not After much talk.
ing she decided to run the risk of his
accidental coming and resolved that II
she got over this night safely to ven
ture on no more public entertainments
until Mr.. Van Houston's heart trouble
had relieved them of his presence. But
now she could not keep her eyes from
glancing apprehensively toward the
doorway. Half past 10 and he had not
arrived! She was certain now that he
would not come and began to talk
brightly until suddenly she felt the un-
welcome touch of a cold, clammy hand
on her bare arm. Peter was at her
side, saying slowly: Good evening.
Elizabeth. Having a party? am
just in time."
"Why, Peter! l am glad to see you"
Mrs. Odell smiled, but her voice trem-
bled.
Mrs. Van Houston instinctively cross
ed over to her daughters side and ex-
tended her hand to her stepson with
well feigned cordlality. would you