Graham guardian., 1921-02-18

l
The next morning when Reggie
Brown came home, he went directly
TO his mother. OF course, as usual,
she wept at the sight of him and be-
gan to upbraid him for his thought
| lessness. Why hadn't he let her know
where he wasl Why had he been gone
| - longf
Reggie laughed insolently.
do I ever let you know where l
90, materT' he demanded, dropping
into an easy chair. mo, don't, and
I won'tl I've come for five hundred
dollars ! have to have. Now cough
| Il up."
"I haven't that much money in the
world" sobbed Mrs. Curtis.
"Then wheedle It out Of Cousin
John" he commanded. 1--WE simply
got to have itp
Paying no heed to his gruff COM
mand, Mrs. Curtis rocked to and fro
In excess Of agony.
%If Paul had died." she wept, wed
have had lot of money"
"How do you known was Reggie's
| quick query.
Because I know how his Wills
| made" explained his mother, "and
unless his Caroline Is found, your
Cousin John and get all his money"
Reginald's eyes blazed into a flame
Of interest. Money was the only thing
\ that attracted him.
] "Why doesn't he die, then?" he ask
1 ed. dropping back sullenly. Hes old
enough and sick enough, isn't he2"
Because he's getting well,' replied
his mother. "That girl"
"What girlT Reggie's voice asked
the question in monotone.
"Some huzzy John picked up not
long ago." was the reply. "She's
brought Paul to life, and John Is wild
| about her. and now"
"Where is she2" interjected Reginald.
"with your Cousin Paul. And, Reg
I gle, I'd give five hundred to get her
out Of the house."
The boy rose and stood gazing down
at the tips Of his highly polished
l boots.
'T'd give more than that" he replied
| solsmnly, 20 know Cousin Paul was
In his grave"
Then rid us of the girl, and he'll
soon keel over" said the mother.
But Reginald wasn't interested In
Cousin Pauls new companion. He
| wanted money and that was all, now
that Tony Devon was dead.
"How about the five hundred for
| meT he questioned, looking at her
keenly.
1--WE said I hadn't 1t, my son." said
she. "Now run away and don't bother
ne any more"
| Reggie did leave the room, but not
| the house. His mind was filed with
many plans to get hold Of the cash
he needed. There were two things had
TO be done. Whoever the girl with
| Cousin Paul was, she had to go. II
| was enough that his mother didn't
want her in the house. Reggie could
abuse his own women folks; he could
make them cry all he wanted to, but
that any one, and stranger too, could
force his mother into spell Of hys-
| terics, he wouldn't tolerate.
| Then the other thing to which he
had made up his mind almost brought
| his hair on end when he contemplated
II. The world had to be relieved of
| Cousin Paul.
little drop Of something-Reggie
| rose to his feet and walked nervously
up and down the room. Twould be
easy enough to get hold of, for DR..
John always had plenty Of drugs on
| hand.
That afternoon he met Captain Mac
Cauley on State street The sight OF
Reggies slim staggering figure
brought Philip to a quick decision. He
stopped directly In front of Brown,
| and, as Il was the first time they'd met
since the memorable moment when
Reggie had been flung in the lake, they
looked embarrassedly into each others
| eyes.
$50 you decided to come homer
asked Philip, his voice sharply toned.
Reggie gathered together his cour-
age and curled his lips. Why should
he be afraid Of Salvation army cap
ain even II he were rich?
"lt looks like II, doesn't itT he
neered, "And It's none of your busi-
ness, anyway"
"It's my business about how you
treat Tony Devon" Philip began, but
Reggie's fresh outburst cut off his
| words.
! "Nobody'll ever treat her any way
after this" he almost groaned. shes
dead, drowned in the lake."
A horrified expression passed over