The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-05-12

of her rosy face, pushed back re"
stray curls and went downstairs to
the drawing room.
AS she stepped inside, she came to
a sudden terrified halt. Her father
was seated In a large chair and his
eyes, red and swollen, were centered
upon her. Then he smiled, that wick
ed smile that always widened his
thick lips when he had succeeded In
some evil thing.
sHello. Tony he chuckled. you've
made fine nest for yourself, huh?'
Tony only stared at him. She felt
sufforatri by his sudden appearance.
81 ru:ne to talk to you, kid" be
said the wheedle coming into his
tones that always augured bad for
the person addressed. "Sit down"
Tonnibel sat, not because he told
her to, but because she couldn't stand
on her trembling legs.
"You don't appear to be very tickled
to see your old dad" he threw at
her. a frown wrinkling his face. Get
up and come over here" His wicked
eyes seemed to be swallowing her
whole. In fact Devon could not make
himself believe this beautiful creature
was the Tony who, he thought, had
been drowned in the lake. He felt
q new sensation within him as MS
gaze took in every line Of the lovely
figure.
"Come over here" he said once
more, "and tell me how you got out
of the lake that night. Did you swim
ashOrew
Tonnibel shook her head.
I'm not going to tell you anything"
she murmured almost inaudibly.
"Well, keep it to yourself, then,"
snapped Uriah. when I get you back
to the Dirty Mary I know ways
whichll bring out Of you what I want
to know. So get your things and
come along home"
Tonnibel felt as If the bottom had
fallen out Of the world. Then boys
smile, and boys words, "Salvation,
little Tony, is always at hand, for
God is good" seemed to strike both
her vision and hearing.
Tony believed every word Philip
MacCauley uttered. He couldn't speak
an untruth if he tried. If as he had
said, Salvation was at hand, then she
could be saved at that moment.
'Tm busy here, daddy" she man
aged to say. I'm doing some nurs-
ing, 50 1 can't get away just now!"
you'll come just the same" replied
Devon, getting to his feet.
Divine Love is everywhere" fash
ed through Tony's mind as she too
struggled up. She dared not scream,
and even if she did, there was no one
in the house who would help her.
Mrs. Curtis and her daughter would
be delighted to have her gone and
DR.. John was out among his patients.
There seemed to be no escape for her
now. She dared not appeal to the
weak, sick man upstairs.
Thinking Of him made her blurt
out:
did you send that awful Brown
feller here to put poison in DR.. Paups
medicine?"
Uriah glared at her, went white and
put his hand on a chair to steady
himself.
81 don't know nothin' about any
man or any poison" he growled.
'You'd better be comm along now"
""Twas the man you said I had to
link up with. He used to come to the
Dirty Mary" explained Tonnibel,
seeing her words had frightened her
father. IT bet you sent him here"
Keep your elack shut" growled
Devon, just as the door opened, and
Mrs. Curtis entered. Tony whirled
and faced her, although she didn't
have the courage to utter word.
The woman looked from the girls
agitated face to Devon's, questioning.
ly.
"This is my kid, ma'am," said Uriah,
with a wave of his hand toward Tony.
"Tve come to take her home. Get
your duds, brat"
Tonnibel turned as If to obey, and
Mrs. Curtis caught her arm.
"Go 7ou are" she directed, "pn
send 20, things after you"
Tony's eyes gathered belligerent
expression.
II won't go without saying good-bJ
to Cousin Paul." she began.
IF che gets up there once" inier'
posed Mrs. Curtis, in an undertone to
Uriah Devon, "you won't see hel
again"
Tonnibel had heard the words and
knew they were true. If she coule
get upstairs with Doctor Paul and
then lock the door, no one would dart
venture after her.
Devon saw swift intelligence light
up her face. He didn't intend to allow
her out of his sight. He caught at
her roughly as Mrs. Curtis barred
her flight to the door.
"Let me alone" she cried. LET me
alone"
nd