Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-26
what the child really u.s."

Wealth!' she asked In QOllOW voice.
"You say she is utterly unfit to use it?'
81 have seen many rich people no
better fitted"
His eyes were constantly drawn to
the confession which she firmly
held in her hand He had an appre-
hension that at any moment he might
see her tear 1t into shreds and defy
him to do his worst. Yet an Unborn
instinct Of courtesy, stronger than his
yaunted cynicism, made it impossible
for him to ask her for the paper until
he had given her every chance to re-
turn it voluntarily.
"A fine lawyer I'd maker he sneer.
Cd at himself.
"Then," she continued, granting, for
the sake Of argument, that I believed
this paper" tapping it with her fin
ger, II would at least have to try to
civilize her somewhat before I turned
over to her the control Of her money.
It would be an actual wrong to her to
give it to her before she was some
what prepared to use it nationally and
decently"
II think SOL
"How would you suggest from your
knowledge Of her that go about it?'
She put the question tentatively.
you might travel with her. There's
Europe, you know. Art galleries and
cathedrals are very civilizing. So con.
sidered, believe"
II can't understand, Peter Kinross,
how you can Jest about q thing which
you must see touches me to the quick
jim my most vulnerable spot, my fam
lily PRIDE
"But you know I always did think
you pampered that vulnerable spot.
And pampered things get spoiled. A
little exposure Of the spot won't hurt
it,"
1.-THE girl is Of age. She might not
consent to my patronage. She might
want to take things into her own
hands at once. Can't you," she urged,
"give me some idea Of what she is
like?"
81 prefer to leave your mind unpreju-
diced to Judge for yourself"
"She must be DREADFUL
II don't see that that follows"
elise you'd reassure me. You
wouldn't let me suffer such dread as
shall suffer from now until know the
worst"
"Clothes make lot of difference,
you know" he said consolingly. AT
least I know women think SO. Dress
her up. That will help"
She ignored his fippancy. Glow do
you think she will take 1.-THE news
that she's an heiress?"
"Then you acknowledge her claims |"
he quickly asked.
"She claims the money, Of course?"
"she knows nothing Of it. I have
not even told her her name"
"Why have you not?'
81 thought it best to find out first
whether you would credit my story.
It would have been cruel to raise her
hopes of being an heiress only to dis
appoint them in case you are unwilling
to make over to her her fathers for
tune
UNWILLING? Is it question Of my
being willing or unwilling?" she asked
with a touch Of bitterness.
81 must tell you that however sure
you and 1 might feel Of her identity,
the legal proof is too weak to establish
any claims
She looked at him keenly. "Well?
What are you driving att"
''No one can force you to part with
dollar of this money"
''Indeedv'
"That is my conviction"
'.It is very interesting" she said,
Struggling her shoulders.
He looked at her obviously.
81 think see your point" she add
ed.
81 believe I've lost It myself" he
declared. "Just what Is it, anyway
Help me out"
"You are doing me the honor to be-
lieve me capable Of withholding my
niece's fortune; Of being unwilling to
make restitution to her"
II am presupposing nothing, Miss
Wolcott," he hastily affirmed-not
quite candidly.
II do not deny that your news is
bitter to me- But, DR.. Kinross, the
prospect Of losing the money is the
least part of the bitterness"
"Is the discovery Of niece so great
a calamityY
81 suppose can't expect you to
appreciate my feelings about the way
my brothers child has been reared"
she said with a dignifed melancholy.
az think do appreciate them, Miss
Wolcott."
mot SO much, Peter, as you think
you appreciate my loss Of money"
II merely pointed out to you that
there could be no legal compulsion in
the case"
'tCompulsion! Don't you think you
use strange expressions? You said
you believed this girl to be my niece
tell you now also believe it. How
then, can there be any talk Of com
polling me to return to her her IA
theirs money, Of which she has been
! deprived for twenty years? What the
loss Of the money may mean to me-
She dismissed that side Of 1t with an
| other shrug, though she was very pale
! Kinross sprang to his feet and held
out his hand. Miss Wolcott, blood
does tell. If you were man I'd cal
| you a bully fellow. You reneW my
| III,