The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-05-26

sire to capture Tony Devon kept the
fumes of alcohol from completely be-
fuddline his brains. Inside the library,
he stood swaying near the door. tap
ping his pocket from time to time to
make sure he was armed. Then he
stumbled across the room. threw him.
self on the dvan and in another mo-
ment had forgotten in a drunken
sleep that there was any such person
in the world as Tonnibel Devon.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Curtis was walking
the floor upstairs. half mad with anX-
iety. and Katherine, in state of
nerves. was smoking one cigarette af
ter another.
"God! When she's gone" broke
forth the girl, "I'll know what happi-
ness means!"
$50 will T." echoed Mrs. Curtis.
Its almost time for me to 60 down,
isn't it? I hope that man won't dis
appoint u.s."
'Don't fear about that" sneered
Katherine. Hes even more anxious
than we are Sos Reggie, but I don't
envy you telling Tony her mothers
alive"
II think you might do it," COM
planned Mrs. Curtis with sniffle. Gall
the anxiety and worry of this thing
has fallen on me-"
"That's because you're so clever,
my sweet" retorted Katherine, sarcas-
tically. ooh, 60 on down and don't
act as if you were afraid of your own
shadow. Say, Rege was drunk as
anything at dinner"
"Disgustingly so" sighed the moth
er as she went out. II hope to the
high heavens he'll straighten up some
day"
First Mrs. Curtis stole down to the
library. There she found Uriah De-
Won, standing with his hat in his hand
and, as he Saw her. he made grin.
ming bow.
"Where's Rege?" he asked eagerly.
"Upstairs, I Think" replied Mrs.
Curtis in low voice. Hes had too
much to drink. Did you bring your
wife?"
'Yep; she's outside" was the mans
answer. "And the kid? Does she
know Ede's still in the land Of the
livin'?"
"No, but I'll tell her now" returned
Mrs. Curtis desperately, Here's the
five thousand dollars" She thrust a
roll of bank notes into his hand. "Pll
send Tony right down." ended the
woman and she went swiftly oGt.
Uriah glanced about the room in
anticipation. He intended not only
to take Tony with him, but every
thing else Of value he could lay his
hands on. Edith had often described
! the valuables kept in a wall-safe in
this very room. Mrs Curtis had no
more than closed the door before, re-
volver in hand, he began his search.
| An exclamation Of delight almost es-
| capped his lips when he discovered the
safe-door was unlocked He grinned
at the carelessness of the rich as re
| flung into the black bag the boxes of
| jewelry. completely stripping the safe
| of ITS contents. He didn't take time
to look over his haul! That would
come later.
All through the day Tonnibel Devon
haa told her JOY over and over to her
SET. Now, almost ready to retire, she
was sitting reading the Bible. It
>r'"'.>c most appropriate that on this
nizn' Sic should sing with the Poet
tha Is..''''~ of Thanksgiving.
A knock at the door caused her 10
close the book and put it on the ta'
BILE before she called: ''Come in
At the sight of Mrs. Curtis she rose
to her feet, startled.
"Tve good news for you, child,''
choked the woman, and Tony went
forward eagerly.
"What?" she demanded. us Phil
tp-"
Nov, don't get nervous, my dear,
came in quivering interruption. But
but you were not correctly inform
ed about your mother. She's-she's S
downstairs"
A violent emotion overlook the girl.
She knew then she had never really
believed what Uriah told her.
my mother!" she breathed, her
eyes deepening in color. my dear
little mother! Oh. let me 60 to her ~
"She's in the library. This is q
happy day for you, my dear-for-all
of US. You'd better dress, hadn't
you?"
Tonnibel hadn't even heard the last
words. She fed down the stairs and
into the library, painting for breath.
Her cup Of happiness was full to the
brim, now that Edith had come back
to her. She halted, closed the door
and ran into the room.
''Edie, mummy dear" she called
softly, so overcome she could not
raise her voice.
Then Uriah Devon stepped from be-
hind the grate-screen and came to-
wi In,