Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1921-04-15

Then lie calculated: ''Inaf man has
them upstairs.
He was out of the room in a flash,
and an awful silence settled over the
three until he was with them again.
HE hasn't got them" he faltered.
II searched every pocket in his
clothes. But / found this wad of
money. There must be thousands in
it %
He passed the money to Doctor
John
1T wasn't in the safe;" said the lat
ter, thoughtfully, slipping it into the
table drawer.
His words struck a new terror to
! T0nnbel. Edith had robbed the safe,
then, Edith who never stole unless she
was forced to it. The shudders that
ran over her brought feeling of re-
bellion to Paul Pendlehaven. Philip
groaned and began to speak, but the
doctor waved him to silence.
Tony" he said sternly, there's
something beneath all this, something
YOU must tell me. Do you know where
the things went that were in the
Safe?"
To deny il would be the same as tell
ing that q third person had been there.
To ADMIT it would forever place her
beyond the pale of his love. Yet there
was Edth-and Uriah, whom she had
sworn to protect.
ssyac T Lnn,y' chic Uh;cpapod 0Nf
course. | know" she repeated louder.
you'll tell me-" begged Philip,
hoarsely Great Heavens, child. can't
you see how awful it looks for you?'
Yes" was all she said, miserably.
Doctor John was wandering aimlGSs-
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
| hOlTOr-Stricken brother filled him with
rage which did for the moment obliter-
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, "just out with it.
Your father evidently didn't take
| them"
II did" interrupted Tony.
"What for7" was his bitter retOrt
MY brother gave you permission to
wear them whenever you wanted to-"
Tony couldn't answer. She was be-
coming hopelessly entangled more so
with every word she uttered
"G0d, I'd rather have given them all
to yOu," mOurned Doctor Paul. Il in
tended to, anyhow"
IF your father dies, TOnnibel." said
Doctor John, sternly, you'll be arrest
ed Oh, Lord What a mess!"
Its 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, "Fm 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 halt She was look
ing at Reginald with eyes that seemed
| TO him to burn holes through him.
''rve never told any one here you
cared for me, Reggie" she faltered,
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; he
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. :bnt we