The Adair County news., 1921-01-05
The glrl rose. having aside her book.

She dreaded venturing into Mrs. Cur
It's presence and shiyered when she
remembered the critical Katherine who
looked her over with superciliouS tole-
ration whenever they happened to
meet. But she made no complaint and
went slowly downstairs.
The dining room door was closed, but
the sound of voices from within told
her the family was at dinner. She
opened the door slowly and stepped
inside. For one moment her vision
was obscured by the fright that sud
denly took possession Of her. AS the
blur cleared from her eyes, she saw
John Pendlehaven smiling at her. Then
a sharp ejaculation from some one else
swung her gaze from the doctors face,
and it settled on-Philip MacCauley.
She went extremely pale and put out
her hand to grasp something for sup
port as If she were going to fall. She
saw him rise up slowly, an expression
of amazement and relief going across
his face. She smiled, but what weary
little smile it was and how full Of
| pleading, as if she were silently beg
ging him to forgive her for some deed
| she'd done.
John Pendlehaven gazed at the two
young people, and then he too got to
his feet.
"Philip," he said abruptly, "this is
Tonnibel Devon. She's Pauls COM
panion. 1--WE have"
Philip interrupted the speaker by
his sudden bound around the table.
"Tony Devon, little Tony" he cried.
II thought, oh, I thought you were
dead. 1 thought I'd lost you forever"
A noise fell from Katherine's lips,
and Mrs. Curtis stumbled to her feet.
$50 you know her too, Philip" she
snarled with a hasty glance at her
pallid daughter. 81 thought we'd kept
her well out of your way. So you've
played the sneak while eating bread and
butter in my house, miss" she blurted
at Tony. swell, it's what one might
have expected of you-you huzzy."
"Mother!" gasped Katherine, as Ton
| ulDcl SAl4ISuCO ACI 4AOAA AAAAP
"Kathie, you needn't mother mel
cried Mrs. Curtis, blind with rage
EITHER she goes away or do. won't
stay in the house with a common
sneak-a common"
! Sarah, sit down." Numbered Johr
Pendlehaven. "Don't speak another
such word or"
Tony was at the doctors side be
fore he could finish his threat.
81 didn't sneak" she said, looking w
at him. "Oh, please-please believe
me-"
"That she didn't" cried Philip, com
ing to her side. cousin John, PvI
known Tony Devon ages, and didn'
even know she was in this house." HI
turned his flashing eyes upon Mrs. Cur
tbs, who was weeping Historically
you ought to be ashamed Of yourself
Cousin Sarah," he went on, ito US
such language to a perfectly nice littl
girl. Why, you've just about broker
her heart"
His voice had sunk to passiOnat
whisper. His eyes misted in youthful
struggle to control his Joy, and-an'
| at the sight Of him, Katherine lost he
wits entirely.
"WhO and what have we been har
boring in this house, Cousin John
she shrieked in high thin voice, strug
Cling to her feet. "A gutter rat. Iii
tie snake, a loose girl"
Each word, brought out with create
vehemence and passion than the on
before, struck the listeners dumb. 1
shame-faced misery. Tonnibel sank t
the floor, dropping her head into he
hands.
"Oh, no. I'm not that" she WALLED
MY mummy never lived in the gutter
she never did. ! was poor, awfu
poor"
"Poor~ exclaimed Katherine. your
worse than poor. 1 suppose you'v
wheedled Philip the same way 20
have Cousin Paul."
katherine, command you to
silent" shouted Pendlehaven. IF yO
say another word, 1 shall ask you
leave my house"
"Well, 1 neverw screamed Mrs. Gu
tbs.
"And you too, Sarah" thrust in til
doctor. "We don't know the truth {