Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-03-25

Q
yes. even down the lonely forest path
TO the Dirty Mary. Through her tan.
g,ed thoughts went the question, if
Criah wasn't her father. who was?
How she dreaded to face Doctor Paul
with his infinite kindness. and the ap-
peal she knew he would make. Never
before had he seemed so dear: never
had Philip MacCauley been so fer
away as at this minnie
At length she lifted her head ana
rested her troubled eyes on Mrs. Cur
It's.
"Please don't tell my father. | mea:.
Doctor Paul. about vour sewing nv
mother was here" >tp ,i.rn,.d.
To ADMIT 1t would forever place heI
beyond the pale of his love. Yet there
was Edith-and Uriah whom she had
sworn to protect.
Eyes, 1 know" she whispered. "Of
course, I know" she repeated louder
you'll tell me-" begged Philip
hoarsely. Great Heavens, child, can!
you see how awful 1t looks for your
Yes" was all she said miserably.
Doctor John was wandering aimless.
ly about the room. The mysetry that
had hung over Tony Devon ever since
she had been with them was deeper
than ever. He felt like shaking the
truth from her. for the sight of his
horror-stricken brother filled him with
rage which did for the moment Obllter.
ate the past two years In which the
girl had been the one bright spot IN
their home.
"Then If you know, Tony" Doctor
John calculated, sjust out with It
Yonr father evidently didn't take
them"
II did," interrupted Tony.
what fort" was his bitter rerort
MY brother gave you permission to
wear them whenever you wanted to!"
Tony couldn't answer. She was o.
coming hopelessly entangled, more 20
with every word she uttered.
God, I'd rather have given them all
to you," mourned Doctor Paul. II m
tended to, anyhow"
IF your father dies, Tonnibel." said
Doctor John. sternly, you'll be arrest.
ed. Oh, Lord! What mess!"
TITS awful" muttered Tony.
Simultaneous with her assertion.
Reginald Brown opened the door and
minced over the threshold. Perfectly
certain now that Uriah had but tenn
porary wound. and that for the love
they bore Tonnibel Devon, his cousins
would hush the matter up. he had de-
termined to make his plea openly to
the girl.
"Tony," he said, coming forward
with magnanimous swagger, I'm the
only one In this house who loves
you"
"You lie," flashed Philip, as Doctor
John took step toward his young
cousin, but the girls expression
brought him to q halt. She was look
ing at Reginald with eyes that seemed
to him to burn holes through him.
"Tve never told any one here you
cared for me. Reggie" she falterad.
drawing herself forcibly from Doctor
Paul. "and-and took the things out
Of the safe to help us along when
when"
Reggie stared at her, amazement
spreading over his countenance; ha
felt a swelling In his chest, an over
whelming awe and respect for her.
II didn't tell you to STEAL" he blurt.
ed.
II know you didn't" responded Ton
nibel, amid the terrible silence that
had fallen on her friends. "but we
couldn't get along without money. so
I took the-the-C Cousin Paul's-"
During the broken statement Philip
MacCauley had dropped into a chair
and covered his face with his hands.
Doctor John was gaping at her as II
she had struck him, but Doctor Paul
well, he simply reached out and
grasped her hands.
+ you're lying again, Tony" he inter.
rupted her grimly. II don't know why,
but I'm positive all you've said Is Q
fearful lie. Reginald. have you ever
asked Tony to marry you"
The boy smiled broadly. Everything
was working out splendidly for him.
"Yes, and her father promised her
to me-" he boosted, "but didn't know
until tonight she really loved me."'
Tony shot him a look of hate, but
she lowered her eyes instantly. She
dared not risk Paul Pendlehaven see
ing her revulsion.
But 1t was to Reginald's credit that
he believed she spoke the truth. His
vanity wouldn't allow him to think
otherwise.
IT'D like to talk to her Alone" he
said crIsp!y, directly at Cousin Paul.
"Women are peculiar creatures. Why,
I've loved her over two years, and to
think she made Philip believe she was
going to marry him"
$50 she is" snapped Philip. raising
his head.
"When I've done my damnedest to
get her to kiss me even," continued
Reginald. overlooking MacCauley's
ejaculation. "You remember your
self. Phil, what happened that day on
ho hootO