The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-18

KR/ aldo" and Hawkes. went
w across quickly with out
stretched hand.
"Hello. Hawkes." replied Jerry, too
preoccupied to return the act OF salu-
to alton. Instead he nodded in the d.
rection Peg had gone and questioned:
What does she mean-going In
few minutcs?"
"She is returning to America. Our
term of guardianship Is over. She abb
solutely refuses to stay here any long
er My duties in regard to her. out
side Of the annual payment provided
by her late uncle. end today" replied
the lawyer.
81 think not. Hawkes."
II beg your pardon?'
"As the chief executor Of the late
Mr.. Kingsnorth's will 1 must be sa It's
fed that its conditions are complied
with in the spirit as well as to the
letter" said Jerry authoritativeiy.
"Mr. Kingsno"th expressly st!pulat-
ed that year was to elapse before
any definite conclusion was arrived at.
So far ouly Il month has passed
"But she insists ON returning to her
father" protested Mr.. Hawkes..
Have you told her the conditions of
the wil?"
Certainly not. Mr.. Kingsnorth dis
tinctly stated she was not to know
them"
Except under exceptional circum.
stances. | consider the circumstances
most exceptional"
II am afraid / cannot agree with
you. Sir Gerald
''That is a pity. But it doesn't alter
my intention"
"And may ask what that inten-
ton ISL"
ITO carry out the spirit of Mr.
Kingsnorth's bequest"
"And what do you consider the spir-
it?"
II think we will best carry out Mr..
Kingsnorth's last wishes by making
known the conditions of his bequest to
Miss OConnell and then let her decide
whether she wishes to abide by them
| or not"
Mrs. Chichester came into the room
and went straight to Jerry. at the
same time Alaric burst in through the
garden and greeted Jerry and Hawkes..
II heard you were here began
Mrs. Chichester
Jerry interrupted her anxiously.
Mrs. Chichester. | was entirely to
, blame for last nights unfortunate
business. Don't visit your displeasure
on the poor little child. Please don't"
Jarvis came down the stairs with
panied. not to say mortified, expression
on his face. Underneath his left arm
he held tightly shabby little bag and
a freshly wrapped up parcel. In his
right hand. held far away from his
body. was the melancholy and pic
turesque terrier, Michael.
Mrs. Chichester looked at him in hor.
ror.
where are you going with those
things?" she gasped.
ITO put them in a cab. madam" an.
swered the humiliated footman- "Your
nkce's orders"
Put those articles in a traveifrg
bag. Use one of my daughters" or
dered the old lady.
"Your niece objects, madam. She
sez she'll take nothing away she didn't
bring with her"
The grief stricken woman turned
away as Jarvis passed out Alaric
tried to comfort her Bnt the strain
of the morning had been too great.
He looked cheerfully at Jerry and
smiled rs he said:
81 even offered to marry her IL she'd
stay. Couldn't do more than that,
could IT,
4 Jerry returned Alaric's smile as he
asked:
"You offered to marry her?"
Alaric nodded.
"Poor little wretchr'
Down the stairs came Peg and Ethel.
Mrs. Chichester looked at Peg through
misty eyes and said reproachfnlly:
"Why that old black dress? Why not
5ne Of the dresses gave you?" d
"1his is the way left me father. an
this Is the way I'm goin' back to him!'
replie0 Peg sturdily.
You're not going, Peg" said Jerry
quietly and positively
WHO'S goin' to stop mer
. "rhe chief executor of the late Mr..
. Kingsnurth's WILL"
IAN who is thatT'
"Mr. Jerry. Pegw
. "You an executorr
TO Be Continued.