Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-02-02

COMPRISED a whole city block, on which
stood d house. almost a maiisi0n- In
the family we're John, Paul, ana Mrs
| Curtis and her two children, Katherine
and Reginald. Mrs. Curtis was a sec
ond cousin TO the Pendlehaven broth
ers aud had made her home with them
since her children had been left father
less. Mrs. Curtis had buried two hus-
bands. Silas Curtis. the father of
Katherine, and Edmund Brown, the
father of Reginald.
For over year now Paul Pendle-
haven had not left his apartments in
the southern wing Of the house. Many
times he had, told his brother. John.
that he only waited with what pa
tience he could for the call to GO
away, to follow after his giri-wife. and
perhaps. well, perhaps his child might
now be with her mother.
On the day that Uriah Devon re-
turned from his weeks bout. Doctor
Pendlehaven was seated opposite his
cousin. Mrs. Curtis at dinner.
Sarah" he began gravely, Il wish
you'd consent to my taking Reginald
In hand for a time He will be abso-
lutely ruined If something isn't done
with him"
The coquettlsh smile which Mrs.
Curtis always used in the presence IF
the eminent doctor left her face, and
her lips drew down at the corners.
Whats he done nOw?" she cried.
He isn't going TO college at all"
said the doctor. "He won't pass any
of his examinations If he doesn't go 70
class and get his hours in. :"
He paused moment and then went
on, Another thing l dislike to speak
of, but l must. Reginald has no idea
Of mine and thine. I'm very much
afraid he takes what doesn't belong
to him."
Mrs. Curtis uttered a squeaI.
Goodness gracious. you accuse him
Of stealing" she screamed.
"Tm afraid he does, Sarah" he an
swered gently. Constantly I'm miss
ing money and things. 1t will hurt
you to know that some one almost
stripped my wardrobe of clothes, and
now | find there isn't much left for
poor Paul. Paul is very much dis
tressed suppose If Reginald did
take them. he thought they were of no
value :"
"Were they?" queried Mrs. Curtis.
leaning over the table. still very
angry.
Whether they were or not, Sarah,"
replied Doctor Pendlehaven. ignoring
his young cousins appeal, they didn't
belong to him. And they were val
liable to Paul in that they held some
thing he priced highly. 1t hasn't been
my habit to interfere between you ard
your children, Sarah. but l do wish
you'd ask the boy if he did take Paul's
clothes. If he's sold them, I'll pay
whatever the amount is"
How perfectly disgusting" snapped
Mrs. Curtis. "If the child did sell
them. thinking they were no good,
you'd certainly not want them back
from secondhand shop"
Doctor Pendlehaven rose from the
table
ASK MN tnOul the SUITS. CuTaH.
he said walking toward the door.
perhaps if You tell him Paul will
give him q hundred dollars for them
and the contents of their pockets. he'll
look them up"
Mrs Curtis rose with dignity. her
damp handkerchief clenched in her
hand
I'm not insult my only son" she
said distinctly
With a gesture of despair, Doctor
pendlehaven went out of the room.
For a moment after he'd gone. and
the sound of his footsteps had been
lost In the corridor, the mother stared
at her daughter.
"The fact is" she burst out. "it's as
Cousin John says, haven't much in
huence over Reggie. but l don't be-
lieye he's as had as people say. In
little town like thir person can't
take step sideways with )ut old wags
commenting on 1t. ! nate Ithaca for
Just that reason"
L.