Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-07

JEAN SOUTHERN.
crs and ccric associates until tho years
that followed had been one hideous
nightmare of apprehension. She re-
mcmbered his curious final will By
which his entire fortune should he left
TO some mysterious society in case his
DAUGHTERS should die before their com
ing OF legal age. \ thousand
grucsome details were again pictured in
her mind. by this horrible recurrence
OF tho sleepwalkinC which had Been
SO fatal to the two older daughters.
She wondered II it were wise for her
TO keep Mona in further ignorance of
the subtle dangers which she felt to
he Impending, TO tell her OF the Sc
cret will and its portcnt,
Then with maternal unselhshness she
decided to keep the canker of the agon-
izlng worry within her own heart,
trusting that caution and care might
subvert the possibility Of further trag-
edies.
You are nervous. child" cautioned
tho mother. That is causing your
somnambulism. We will take long
walk to-day-hut first you must eat
hearty breakfast. Here comes Willis
now
AZ the butler entered there was a
ringing of the doorbell.
The maid brought in letter. de-
livcred by a messenger hoy for Mrs.
Mason. who tore the envelope nerv
ously. Her apprehension was unac-
countably renewed.
What is It. mother:" Qucried the
girl as her companion read with trem-
bling fingers. 1t was the message from
DR. Alden. Ono ominous phrase sent
terror 10 her heart: KINDLY allow me
TO call on YOU this morning on certain
matters regarding your daughter
birthday"
Mrs. Mason crushed the note in her
hands Mona mischievously leaned
forward to peep. She was surprised
at her mothers agitation. and sank
back into her chair with n pout on the
crimson lips.
One terrorizing though surged
through the mothers mind: who could
DR. Payson Alden be? Why did he
wish 10 see her about Monas birthday?
AS Mona sat there. gazing at her
mother with a look which had changed
from TESTING pctulance to disturbed
anxiety, she unconsciously placed her
elbows on the table, resting her cheeks
upon her closed fi@ts. with the thumbs
pointed upward
Mrs Mason looked up suddenly. "A
she was about TO lift n cup OF coffee she
screamed:
''Oh. my God, don't do that" and.
TO Monas CONSERVATION. her mother
rushed al her almost savagcly to pun
down her wrists from the accidental pc
si,ion. why did you make that sign :
Who taught YOU to do il? You will
drive me mad II you ever do it again"
Why, mother? l meant nothing
was only resting my head on my hands.
What do YOU mean? What did do
:hat was wrong
The mother was shaken with par
oXysm of sohs rs she held the girls
hands In viselilto grip. Her passion
ate vchcmence shocked Mona
Eefore she could finish another query
her mother interrupted:
Don't put up your thumbs by your
checks that way. Mona. Your father
used TO do that In his sleep: it is the
sign of the devil worshipcrs"'
The girl laughed mcrrily-albeit with
a note OF nervousness In her mirth.
"Oh: mother, dear, you're absurd.
and again she repeated the posture.
with thumbs held vertically on either
side of the dimplinG checks.
Mona. Mona. you arc breaking my
heari!" and before the girl could speak
again Mrs. Mason had covered her eyes
with her shaking fingers 10 run from
the room.
How silly. I can't understand
mother ] never saw her so upset"
murmured Mona. distressed and yet
amused AT the incxplicable outburst.
She spranG to her feet to follow her
mother just as Willis entered the room.
mir. Arthur Varney is calling. Miss
Mona" he announced.
The girls face lit happily as she
nodded. Here was welcome friend
who would not be morbid. She could
ask him for solution OF the riddle.
Tell him Will see him in the
library. ] will come right in, Willis"
she said. as she yielded TO the instinc,
Of the sex and walked to the big
a few deft touches-to masculine eyes
unnecessary - she pressed back the
golden aureole OF ringlets and smiled
coquettishly mt the satisfying rehec-
ton.
The visitor had been usherod into the
quiet library. which still reflected tho
bookish, antiquarian tastes OF Mona's
father.
He looked about with furtive
glance as he drew off his gloves a
glance at the rug, and his eyes lighted