The Washington herald., 1914-04-13

ANYBODY she said suddenly with a hard
breath. II hate to dLsappoint you-it
would be fine to be young Mrs.
Ewell-but-' There her voice had
tralled on into silence, a slow mist DIM
ming her -violet-dark eyes.
After. this there had been truce Of sorts
Aunt Mary knew she could trust ALI
cia. There would be nothing clandestine-
not even an engagement.
Billy, was for marrying Immediately
and taking Alicia gypsying with hi-l, in
his tent. up and down green summer
world. But she shook her head. smiling
calamity. not daring to speak. He un-
derstook she would not grieve Aunt Mary.
nor leave her. II ought to have made
him sad or angry. as became a hero of
romance. Being insNad a practical
young citizen. he managed to look de-
Gently depressed in her presence. but
when he was safely out OF hearing he
chuckIed-hard
Alicia had not seen him for a whole
month-he had sent her scrappy notes, as
occasion offered. telling no more than his
location. The gang was surveying tenta-
lively. BY help OF a road map Alicia
knew IL was coming back now. Therefore
she viewed the single star with lively
hope as she stood upon the verge OF the
lawn. looking first up at the sky. then
down the dim vista of the highway.
Something moved over it-a light motor.
almost nolseless. yet very swift. Its
lights half blinded her; they struck long
shining lines down the stretches of
beaten clay. Shrinking into the shadow
OF tall stone gateposts. she heard Tom
Ewell say. as tine runabOut halted for
the passage of the gate: Why don't
you speak for yourself. Dad? Such
dn H. falling Tnp
how to do il, I'd nearly as soon say
mother as aunt to Nadine Vetter."
shut up you cub" the Judge rOared
hushedly. but with a smothered chuckle
"B' George. though, Id do it just To
shame you milksop youngsters. II wasn't
afraid Ia be shown the door
No danger of that Alicia cried dart
ing from ambush and 1inging- wide the
gate.
The Ewells stared at her a second.
then both spranG from the car, rusned
to her help blushing furiously. bGI smiI
ing in spite OF themselves.
''Its-its the very thing" Alicia
painted. Then Tom will be my truly
brother. just as I've always wanted HIM
TO be. And all OF us can go live at YOU
house and let those Vetters have this
place right away"
Upon my word. you settle things with
a vengeance" the judge said. patting her
shoulders and laughing heartily.
Alicia gave him an appealing glance.
live been thinking Of things this
long time" she said. "Only-I ii seemed
to me. Tom-but yoU'H do a lot better"
Alicia. you'n be the death OF me- Did
you really plan TO be my niece" Ton,
demanded.
Alicia nodded. but said: M: pran--
:ust speculated."
The judge had grown -;rivs. "YoU-
don't think 1t possible he 5eGIr.
stopping hesitantly. then starting as Mrs
Vetter herself came down the d-ivr
Judge. hope you've had no accident"
she said. tensely. putting out Il hauG
which the judge clasped. and neld. as he
answered: An accident-Of Srrta-a.
lucky one. hope. Or. rather-a dis
covery-it is that We must set those fC IL
ish children an example"
His meaning tone. his look. explained
all. Mrs. Nctter flushed as though she
were sixteen. Come to the house-alI."
she said. turning about. Il also have
made a discovery. Let me show it to
you"
Two minutes later. in light OF library
lamps, they faced Billy Davis. smiling
with Ietter-rather long and legal look
ing. Without a word Of greeting. he
caught AliCias hand. saying: Il think
we'll be married early in the morning
This attests. waving the letter up and
iown. that / am truly William DAVIS
Vetter. now sole heir to the Nicholas Vet
Ter remainder. I have renounced it in
'avor Of his widow-she has much the
Detter right"
But your sisters?-how-what?" AI!cia .
,ried. The Ewells were past speech.
Billy smiled. One is married to a min
ster who bears a conscience against
'iches: the other a millionaire. who hates
o trife with less than millions. Now.
Alicia. will you take or leave me? |
han't let you starve."
'Neither-you are to take me-" Alicia
nurmured, melting softly into his arms
The judge turned to Mrs. Vetter. If
We are not to set examples. We at least
an follow one so excellent" he said
vhereat young Tom giggIed and Billy.
With twinkling eyes. though he pretended \
o frown. slapped him on the back. say
ng. Go thou and do Iikewise-reward
FATTY Lancaster-shc has been sitting up
his six months to catch you-in the re-
ound."