Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-11-11
The Restless Sex

| BY Robert Chambers, author o
"Barbarians, "The Dark Star
} etc. copyrighted 1918 by Rob
, ert w. Chambers)
, THAT is my little daughter
Stephanie." replied Cleland coldly
discouraging any possible advan'
ces on Grismer's part. For there
would never be any reason fol
bringing Stephanie in contact with
the Grismers; and there might be
. reasons for keeping her ignorant
of their existence. Which ought
to be simple matter, because he
never saw Grismer, except when
he CHANGED to encounter him quite
casually here and there in town.
She's older than supposed, "
remarked Grismer staring steadi-
ly at her, where she stood beside
Jim, shyly conversing with ~
group of his particular cronies,
Boy like, they all were Dragging
noisily for her exclusive benefit,
talking school-talk, and swagger-
ing and showing off quite harm
lessly as is the nature of the AMI
NAL at that age.
II don't observe any family re-
semblance," mused Grismer, pur-
sing his slit-like lips.
MOP" inquired Cleland drily.
mo, none whatever. OF course,
the connection is remote--nlm m
n'yes, quite remote. | trust" he
| added magnanimously, that you
will be able to render her life
comfortable to bestow upon her
may, if wisely administered, keep
her from want.
Cleland, who was getting mad
der every momenA turned very
red now.
II think he said. managing to
control his temper, that it will
scarcely be a question of want
with Stephanie Quest What trou-
bles me little is that she's more
than likely to be an heiress.'
What"
1T looks that way"
DO you--do you mean, Cleland
that-that any legal steps to re-
open"
Good Lord, nor exclaimed
Grismer, contemptuouily. "She
wouldn't touch penny of Girls
mer money-not a penny! II
wouldn't lift a finger to stir up
that mess again. even if it meant
million for her,"
Grismer breathed more easily,
though Cleland's frank and un-
concealed scorn left light red on
his parchment-like skin.
"Our conception of moral and
spiritual responsibility differs, I
fear" he said, "-as widely as our
creeds differ. 1 regret that. my
friend of many years should APP
pear to be trifle biassed-m M
m yes, trifle biassed in his OPT
It's none of my affair. Girls
mer. We're different. that's all.
You had, perhaps, a legal right to
your unhappy sisters share of the
Grismer inheritance. You ex-
ercised it; | should not have done
so. It's a matter of conscience
% put it pleasantly"
1T is a matter of ereeds,n said
Irismer grimly. "It was God S
will"
Cleland shrugged.
Let it go at that. Anyway,
-ou needn't worry over any pos
'ible action that might be brought \
lgainst you or your heirs. There
Won't be any. What l meant was
hat the crild's aunt, Miss Rosa
linda Quest, seems determined to !
cave little Stephanie a great deal
more money than is good for any. I
'ody, 1t isn't necessary. l. don't !
elieVe in fortunes. I'm weary of z
hem, afraid of them. They chan ]
e people-often change their very :
atures. I've seen it too many Z
imes-observed the undesira bic =
hange in people who were quite Z
- itSAlN pNitlC tltCS OeilIAC INV "
ortunes. No; L am able to pro- Z
ide for her amply; l have done !
D. That ought to be enough" =
Grismer's dry, thin lips remain Z
4 parted; he scarcely breathed; =
nd his remarkable eyes continued Z
} bore into Cleland with an in !
'nsity almost savage. ?
Finally he said, in a voice so !
ry that itseemed to crackle: 2
This is-amazing. l UNDER J
ood that the family had cast out \
nd utterly disowned the family Z
Harry Quest-m- m IN yes \
lrned him out completely-him Z
1t completely-him and his. So \
III will pardon my surprise, Gle
nd. E. Is-ah-the Quest for !
meas it were-considerable =
Several millions, 1 believe" re- Z
led Cleland carelessly. moving
way to rejoin his son and Stepha-
e, where they stood amid the !
'isy. laughing knot of school Z
ys.
Grlsmer looked after him, and 2
S face. which had become drawn. Z
ew almost CHASTITY. So this was \
Cleland had fooled him. Gle Z
nd. with previous knowledge of
nat this aunt was going to do Z
the child. had cunningly selec- I
! her for adoption-doubtless Z
signed her, ultimately, for his !
n. Cleland had known this; 7
d kept the knowledge from him. I
i'd that was the reason for all
IS philanthropy. Presently he Z
his son, Oswald. With !
fierce gesture of his hooked Z
'efinger.
rhe boy detached himself leis- 7
ely from his group of school :
lows and strolled up to his =
her,