The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-01-26


fully. eff do not act at once 1t will
be too late" he observed
That evening when Mr< Van Hous.
ton and her daughter. Mrs. Odell, re-
turned from the opera they found Mr..
Clarendon I'm the reception room.
81 hope this visit is not to tell us
that our funds are low" laughed Mrs.
| Odell.
II have not come to scold. dear
madam. but to tell you bit of news.
| / have business of 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.
Twill he sue for his share In his ia
theirs estateT' cried Mrs Van Hous-
ION. "Oh. what blow! Elizabeth. we
will not receive him.
IL 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.
toms 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 a 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, "news! Her husband, a
fastidious looking man, entered the
room.
The next day Peter Van Houston pre-
sented himself at his sisters house.
Mrs. Van Houston and her daughter
received him.
I'VE are so surprised!" said the older
woman, extending her hand cordially.
"Only the bad penny turning up
again." her stepson answered. 1--WE
had a hard life. mother. For years,
rather than return to my family pen
niless, have lived by doing odd Jobs
here and there, but at last Ill 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 1t. 81 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 us!" he
exclaimed.
A night 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-
tainty in her mind whether to invite
her brother or not. After much talk
ing she decided to run the risk of his
accidental coming and resolved that if
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
unwelcome touch of q cold, clammy
hand on her bare arm. Peter was at
her side saying slowly: Good evening.
Elizabeth. Having party? am just
in timer
why, Peter! am glad to see you"
Mrs. Odell smiled. but her voice trcm
bled.
Mrs. Van Houston instiiictiveiy cross.
ed over to her daughters side and eX-
tended her hand to her stepson with
well feigned cordiAlity. Would you
Ike to join Marmaduke in the smok-
ing room Oh would you prefer to meet
some of our fricnGs!" she inquired
With cruel and deliberate slowneSs he
said, "EliZabeth's and your friends are
my friends, mother. so would DC glad
to know them" His stepmother slipped
her hand through his arm, saying, with
Il nervous laugh, "Ah, here is Mr.. Clar-
enGon,' as the lawyer crossed over the
threshold. You must meet the fam
Dy adviser, Peter. Mr.. Clarendon. this
is Peter Van Houston"
Glad to see you back, SIR" Mr.. Char
endon said genially.
The next day Mrs. Odel was i'll In
bed. Peters way of claiming every
ones attention. with lamentations over
his poverty. was maddening to his
mother and sister, and the fear that
he would resent the slight of not hav.
ing been invited added to their dis
comfort
1t was Just before Lent when Mr..
Van Houston came home All through
this season the family lived quietly.
AS he saw more of his newly found
family Mr.. Van Houston appeared to
get on with them better. He would