The daily Alaskan., 1921-03-31
CHAPTER XIV.
A Will Is Changed.

lllG rlNO lAiul AAtAA boR5SN since Tony Devon had entered the pendlehaven home, the greater para of which she had spent in school, had brought about many changes. Paul Pendlehaven had taken his place among the worlds workers, but this does not say that he did not still long for the child who had gone from his life eighteen years before.
 Mrs. Curtis was no nearer giving Cousin John to Katherine as a father than she ever had been, and Ithaca had caught no sight of Reginald Brown since he had fled from It with the notion that he might follow UriRh Devon behind the prison bars. Philip had carried on his wonderful work, living In the joyous letters he re ceived from Tony and spending his spare time In answering them.
 One morning Tony came to Paul Pendlehaven, smiling and blushingly glrllsh, and he motioned her to a It. tie stool at his feet.
 Darling" he began in a moved tone, "I sent for you because I've come to perhaps the most important decision of my whole life"
 Tony glanced up at him wondering ly. He appeared solemnly sober and looked as if he hadn't slept.
 If 1t affects me, Cousin Paul. 1t can't be greater than the one you made over two years ago when you took poor little me into your home" " she asserted.
 His hand fell lovingly upon her curly head as though In benedlction.
 They both lapSed into long silence the girls dreamy eyes fixed on space. and the man gazing at her shining head.
 Tony" he calculated at length. There was something in his voice as he pronounced her name that dis pelled her revery instantly.
 "Yes," she breathed. "Yes, what Is lt?"
 Pendlehaven cleared his throat.
 "I would never have believed that anyone could have wormed her way into my heart as you have" he told her. How would-how would you like me for your father?"
 Tony tried to speak, but, seeing he had something else to add, waited eI- pectuntly.
 "Once, as you know" went on the doctor, "I had little girl of my own, but the years have been so long and so many since she was taken away, l feel I shan't have her again In this world"
 Tony's dark head dropped against his knee in silent sympathy.
 Gould you think of me as your fa- ther, dear?" he said after an emotion al silence.
 I'm not fit for that" sighed Tony. NO, no, not that. l come from peo- pie who are not your kind, Cousin Paul. You know that! Everybody does! Then I'm not so good as you think am. First of all haven't al- ways told you the truth"
 "So my brother told me-" remarked Doctor Paul. Long ago he took me into his confidence about the poison In my medicine. I've watched you for two years, Tony, and It seems to me that I know every secret of your soul. I'm sure you love me, dear child. I'm going to adopt you legally for my daughter After this I'm your father, and I give warning to my Captain MaCCauley that if he tries to take you from me he's going to have some fight on his hands. From now on, I'm not Cousin Paul. l am-what"
 "My father" gulped Tony. Tt seems as If I couldn't stand so much happiness. And If you're my father, that makes Cousin John"
 Your uncle," laughed a voice from the door, "So Paul has told you, has he, little girl? Well. Tony, you wouldn't have slept wink one night if you'd heard our argument about you. We spent several hours wran- gling which of us should adopt you. I said I should because I saw you first, and Paul"
 Has the prior right because you saved me, Tony" interrupted Paul. "NOw I think the family had better know of our changed arrangements"
 Paul Pendlehaven acted as spokes- man when Mrs. Curtis and her daugh- ter, Katherine, had been Summoned to the library. He told them very grave ly that us his will now stood, his brother, John, and his cousin, Sarah, were the beneflciaries of 1t. Mrs. Cur tis smiled at him and arranged the lace ruffles around her neck.
 You've always been most gener- nuS, Paul dear" she slmpered.
 But now," went on the doctor. pay Ing no heed to the lady's remark, "our households going to have a mistress"
 Katherine lifted her chin from the palm of her hand, and Mrs. Curtis strengthened up. Were her ambitions going to be realized after all? Was 1t Paul who was going to put her in E.... .g, ,,1,nno TTI,N r,,,;to ..