South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-02

neither OF them could have foreseen.
he arrived at the Cedars many hours
later.
or the earlier portion OF the night
OF his grandfather's death BOBBY re-
tanned a minute recollection. The re-
mainder was like a dim, appalling
nightmare whose impulse remains
hidden.
When he went to his apartment to
dress for dinner he found the letter
OF which Silas Blackburn had spok-
en- 10 Katherine. 1t mentioned the
change in the will as an approach
Ing fact nothing could alter. Bobby
= fancied that the old man merely
craved the satisfaction OF terrorizing
him. OF casting him out with all the
ugly words at his command. Still a
good deal more than a million isn't
70 be relinquished lightly "a long as
a chance remains. Bobby had an
engagement for dinner. He would
think the situation over until after
dinner, then he might go.
II was. perhaps. unfortunate that
at his club he met friends who drew
him in corner and offered him too
many cocktails. As he drank his
anger grew. and 1t wasn't all against
his grandfather. He asked himself
why during the last few months re
had avoided the Cedars, why he had
| drifted into too vivid a life in New
York. IL increased his anger that he
hesitated to give himself a frank an
/ q W. At
1t was Katherine rather than his
grandfather who entered his mind.
He had cared too much for her. and
lately, beyond question, the bond of
their affection had weakened.
He raised his glass and drank. He
set the glass down quickly as if he
would have liked to hide it. A big
man, clear-eyed and handsome,
walked into the room and came
! straight 10 the little group in the
corner. Bobby tried TO carry it off.
'"Lo, Hartley, old preacher. You
\ fellows all know Hartley Graham ?
Sit down. We're going to have a lit
| tie cocktail"
Graham looked at the glasses.
shaking his heal.
IF you've time, Bobby, I'd like
word with you"
mo preaching" Bobby bargained
1T isn't Sunday"
Graham laughed pleasantly
Its about money. That talks any
day"
Bobby edged a way out and fol-
| lowed Graham TO an unoccupied
room. There the big man turned on
him.
See here, Bobby! When are you
going out TO the Cedars2'
Bobby flushed.
YOU'RE a dear friend, Hartley,
and I've always loved you. but I'm
in no mood for preahcing tonight.
Besides. I've got my own life TO lead"
he glanced away-'my own rea-
sons for leading it."
I'm not going TO preach" Ora
ham answered seriously, although
it's obvious you're raising the devil
with your life. 1 wanted to tell you
that I've had a note from Katherine
today She says your grandfather's
threats are taking too much form;
that the new Wills bound to come
unless you do something. She cares
too much for you, Bobby, to see you
throw everything away. She's asked
me TO persuade you to go out"
why didn't she write to me?"
Have you been very friendly with
Katherine lately? And that's not fair.
You're both without parents You
owe Katherine something on that &C
count"
Bobby didn't answer, because ii
was clear that while Katherine's af-
lection for him had weakened. her
: friendship for Graham had grown
/ too fast. Looking at the other he
didn't wonder.
There's another thing" Graham
was saying. The gloomy old Cedars
has got on Katherine's nerves. and
she says there's been a change in the
old man the last few days-wanders
around as If he were afraid OF some
thing"
Bobby laughed outright.
Him afraid OF something It's al
ways been his system TO make every
body and everything afraid OF him.
But you're right about Katherine.
W nave always uCp0AAdNN OiA VehNh
other. 1 think I'll go out after din
ner
Then come have a bite with me,
Graham urged. I'll see you off aft
erward. II you catch the eight-thirty
you ought to be out there before
half-past ten"
Bobby shook his head.
AN engagement for dinner, Hart
ley. I'm expecting Carlos Paroles to
pick me up here any minute"
Graham's disapproval was bellig-
erent.
Why. in the name Of heaven.
Bobby. do you run around with that
damned Panamanian? Steer him Oft
tonight I've argued with you be-
fore. It's unpleasant, know, but the
man carries every mark of crooked
ness"
Easy with my friends, Hartley
You don't understand Carlos. He's
good fun when you know him-aw-
fully good fun"
$50" Graham said. lis this sort OF
thing. Too many cocktails, too much
wine. Paroles has the same pleasant.
dangerous quality"
A club servant entered