The Snowflake herald., 1921-09-09

"That settles one question" COM
mented Doctor Paul, grimly. "You
shot Devon, Reggie" and the boy sank
into chair beside his mother. Nov"
continued the doctor, ''who robbed the
safe?'
To know that her mother hadnt
done the shooting relieved but one OF
Tonnibers worries. Uriah wasn't hurt
much anyway, but the doctors ques-
ton brought vividly to her mind an
other danger, not whit less serious.
Edith was certainly involved In looting
the safe!
II told you once" Tony began
weakly
Child" tnterposed Doctor Paul,
you'll shield no one else. shudder
to think what might have happened II
your mother hadn't come here for her
husband"
His tones were low and stern,
though much moved.
His eye caught sight of the black
bag at the same time his brothers did.
Doctor John opened 1t and, amid an
appalling silence took box after box
out of 1t.
| "Plain stealing" he growled, and
then he stared at Mrs. Devon In open
mouthed amazement. "Whatd you
bring em back for?" he questioned.
Edith paid no attention to Doctor
Johns query but addressed her hus-
band.
"Uriah, now you went and done 1t
again! ~ She turned to Doctor Paul.
man.. He didn't know what he was
doin', sir"
"Then he'll be taught lesson, the
same as Reginald will, madam" re-
| joined the doctor. "Ever since your
daughter came to us, she's been in
dread of your husband. her father.
Once he was sent away, and she had
| peace. This time he won't come back
in a hurry"
Doctor John reached into the drawer
of the table near him and produced
the roll of bills that Philip had found
on Devon the night before.
"How about this, you?" he inquired
of Devon. "Where'd this come from
before it was in your pocket? While
we're at 1t, we might as well clear up
/, everything"
The center of interest, Uriah Devon
shifted uneasily in his chair. He had
discovered the loss of the money but
had not dared to make any, inquiry
about it, Hastily he ran over the sit
uation, and it appeared to him as hope
less as possible, but five thousand dol
lars was a good thing for a man to
have, whatever his position. If Mrs
Curtis claimed the money, her connec-
tion with him would come out, and
that might make things easier for him.
If she didn't, he'd have the cash any
| how.
That's mine, mister" he grunted,
land I didn't steal it, neither. Give it
| to me-"
The same considerations had been
chasing through Mrs. Curtis mind
and, in the general cataclysm that she
saw before her, she concluded the
money might be very necessary for
her and her children.
|
screamed. "It's mine Give it to me-"
Doctor John arose and stood be-
! tween Uriah and Mrs. Curtis, holding
| the roll of bills in his hand. Amidst
the closest attention of the rest of the
group, he looked from one to the other,
while the claimants indulged in a dis
pute.y
"You give 1t to me, didn't you.
ma'am?" asked Uriah, roughly.
Didn't your
"Yes, 1 suppose 1 did," she acknowl-
edged, "but you haven't done what you
said you would"
"'Twasn't my fault Uriah grum-
bled. "If that fool of a son of yours
hadn't butted in and shot me, I'd TAX
en- Tony like / bargained to-"
| Then Doctor Paul interposed, and
| a few questions, sternly put and cate
| gorically answered, discovered the
whole conspiracy between Mrs. Curtis,
| her children. and Uriah Devon.
John Pendlehaven, whose anger had
been steadily rising suddenly stepped
| forward and brushed his brother aside.
I'll take charge of this now, Paul."
he stated. You're too id easy.
Here's where you treacherous snakes
!, go to JAIL he included Uriah and the
Curtises In sweep of his hand. "Ev-
| cry one of you!" He turned savageIy
| upon Reginald. "You little pup" he
| charged swiftly, ''you tried to poison
| Paul, didn't you?" He crossed TO his
| side and lowered over him with up
raised fist. "Own up, d-n you. Didn't
your
Reginald covered, slipped out Of his
| chair and attempted to shield himself
| In Mrs. Curtis arms, who leaned pro-
| tectingly over him.
I'll was drunk" he excused him
self. "and / thought" he whimpered
to his mother, II thought you wanted