The herald., 1920-12-16


the moment he'd returned?
ITS about time we was doing
things, Ede," he said. turning grimly.
"rve waited as long as l dared. ReGe
says Paul Pendlehaven hasn't an inch
Ieeway before he's In his coffin"
Mrs. Devon's face grew deathly
pale.
What do you mean. honey" she
faltered.
I'VE live like rats in q hole took
up the man. after a pause, while II
Tony was made 10 do her part we'd
be on easy street. That's what | mean.
We've got 10 have money and lots OF
It. ReggIe's willing 10 marry the kid
II you mind your business afterward.
His marryin' her amt sayin' he'll stick
TO her. But we got to have Doodle,
and we can't get II only through her."
HE shan't have 'er." the woman
said, with hard tones and flashing
eyes. How many times We ! got TO
say II over TO you? II that's the why
you've come TO Ithaca, you might as
well turn the old scOw north and go
back again. He's a bum" she went
on. "a dude and a fool and every
| thing else that's bad. He's q thief,
too"
/ Devon laughed.
$50 am 1, Eide" said he $50 re you
for that matter. If Reggie knew that
| Tony was Paul Pendlehaven's kid, We
wouldn't get one d-n cent Of her
money. He SWITCHES from the Pendle-
/ Ravens and his mother because he
don't get cash enough other ways. A
feller's got TO have Spendin' money"
pretty small pickin's," sneered
Edith Devon. "Stealin' from folks al
most In the grave amt my style. Reg
gie's some second-story man, that
young duffer IS"
"You sneaked Pauls KID" tainted
Devon. HE wouldn't be almost In
his grave now II you'd kept your
hands off'n Tony"
The woman turned on him savagely,
paying no heed 10 his words.
Get your blasted Reggie to steal
enough for us all from the Pendleha-
vens," she said. God knows they've
got It and TO spare. It's better'n
hnndin' Tony over to I'm. He lives al
Pendlehaven's, don't hep
"He won't do It." cut IN Devon
Reggie amt got the nerve to burn his
fingers too deep. Paul Pendelhaven'd
send him up for that, If he caught
him. My plan Is TO get Tony married
to Rege, and before the lids screwed
down on Pendlehaven's face. shove
the girl In between John Pendlehaver
and his precious cousin, Reggie:
mother. and then Rege and me get:
TOny's money. seeT
Edith shivered.
II hear what you say" she nut
tered, land l 'spOse I'll do It II yoI
promise not to let that pup hurt Ton!
when he gets her. -. Best let's wal
to her, though"
"Nothin' doin'," rasped the man
'Tony's almost a woman, and She
eatin' her head off. After she's mar
ried-"
"You two men'll rag the kid to dealt
or do something worse to her, grit
ted the woman. "Well, you won't
Rather'n have that I'll tell her sh
amt ours. I'll go right bold to Pau
Pendlehaven and blurt him the truth
I'll do 1t today If you keep naggin' q
me-"
Devon studied her face, his own dis
tor1ed with rage.
You'll do no such a thing, ma
woman" he returned, running hi
tongue over his dry, cracked lips. Il
look out Reggie knows Tonnibel'
got rich folks, but he don't know VIII
they are. You spill the beans, by G-t
and the lake for yours"
The woman's gaze sought the shee
of blue water.
She'll grow a beard q mile long bt
fore / tell err" she said finally. brint
ing her eyes back to his face. "Te
'er yourself. and see how you like II
There was a ring Of revolt in he
tones that brought an expression {
surprise to the mans face, leaving
angrily, frowningly red. But th
sound Of a girls voice on the hi
brought him suddenly to his feet
There she is, by Cd" he erie
abruptly. Now If you want any MOI
lovin's from me-more'n that, IL 20
want to stay where l live, you got
do my Will"
"Uriah, honey, darlin'," cried Edit
.. don't say that I've always stuck b
. you"
!. ''Then keep a stickin'," growled D.
Won. For Gods sake, II the brat ain
lugged that pig clean up that pir
treew
I Above them a giant pine tree lifte
!. its head far above its fellows. Amor
l it's branches the man and woman cou
plainly see the upper half Of a girl
figure settled In the crotch Of an GU
r spreading limb. and clasped In tv
D slender arms was the small guint
: pig. She bobbed her head gravel
Q held up the animal and shook It
them.
; Tony, herself, little knew why
times Of strife she sought refu,
among these forest giants and can
: always to happiness. They were ar
r mated beings In her mean little wor