Graham guardian., 1921-03-11

81 which she had spent in school, had
brought about many changes. PAU
Pendleharen had taken his place
among the worlds workers, but th's
does not shy that he did not still long
for the child who had gone from MS
life eighteen years before
Mrs, Curtis was no nearer giving
Cousin John to Katherine as father
Than she ever had hcen, and Ithaca
had caught no sight Of Reginald
Brown since he had fed from II with
the notion that he might follow urinh
Devon behind the prison bars. Phliip
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 hiushingly
girllsh and he mctioned her to Ut
tie stool at his feet.
Darling" he began In a moved
tone, 81 sent for you because I've
come to perhaps the most important
decision of my whole life."
Tony glanced up at him wondering
| iy. He appeared solemnly sober and
looked as If he hadn't slept.
"Tf Il affects me. Cousin Paul, II
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 bencd!ctlon.
! They both lapscd into a lnng
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,
i PEELED her revery Instantly.
"Yes," she breathed. "Yes, what Is
j ltT'
Pendlehaven cleared his throat
'T would never have believed that
anyone could have wormed her way
into my heart MS you have" he tolt
her. SLOW would-how would vol
IKE me for your father7"
Tony tried to speak hut. seeing h'
hnd something. else to add, waited cx
pectsntly.
"Once, as you know" went on tht
doctor II had little girl Of my own
but the years have been so long an,
80 many since she was taken away
I feel I shnn't have her again in thl:
world"
rony's dark head dropped agains
Mis- knee In silent sympathy.
"Ceuld you think Of me as your ia
taer. dearT he sGid after an emotion
al silence.
SIN not At for that" sighed Tony
"Ns no. not that. come from pea
pie who are not your kind. Cousin
Paul. You know that! Everybod.
dees! Then I'm not so good as yov
think am. First Of all I haven't al
ways told you the truth"
| $50 my brother told me-" remarke
Dsetor Faul. Tong. ago he took m
into his confidence about the poison L
my medicine. I've watched you 70
tive years, Tony, and II seems to m
that I know every secret Of your sou
rnA sure you love me. dear child. IT
going to adopt you legally for m
daughter. After this I'm your fathel
snd give warning to my CAPITA!
MaeCnuley tins II he tries to take 20
from me, he's going to have some fgh
on his hands. From now. on, I'm nc
Cousin Paul I am-whatT'
'My father" gulped Tony. 81
seems as If I couldn't stand so muc
happiness. And II you're my fathc
that makes Cousin John"
"Your uncle" laughed voice frol
the door $50 Paul has told you, ha
he, little girl? Well, Tony. yo
wouldn't have slept wink one nigl
II you'd heard our argument ahOl
, you. We spent several hours wral
Cling which of us should adept you.
said I should because saw you frs
/ and Paul"
"Has the prior right because 20
? saved me, Tony" interrupted Pau
snow think the family had bette
5 know Of our changed arrangements
I Paul Pendlehaven acted MS spoke
r man wher Mrs. Curtis and her daug
a ter, Katherine, had been summoned
9 the library. He told them very grav
" that as his will now stood, h
: brother, John, and his cousin, Sara
: were the beneficiaries Of Il. Mrs. Gu
tia smiled Mt him and arranged II
I lace ruffes around her neck.
you've always been most gene
q ous, Paul dear" she simpered.
,sBut now" went on the doctor. pa
a ing no heed to the lady's remark. "Or
household's going to have a mistress
|. Katherine lifted her chin from Il
7 palm OF her hand. and Mrs. Curt
4 stralghtened up. Were her ambition
going to be realized after all7 w,
. Il Paul who was going to put her
her rightful placer The smile. hroa
ened on her lips, and she sank ha
l. with happy sigh. She Ind 20 a
NIT Cousin Paul looked very han
4 some, yes, even handsomer tran 90
I sin John. Whist fool she had be-
I net to have caught him sooner.
y "'The woman you put at the head
a your home will be most fortunate al
happy, dear Paul." she murmured.
II hope So" returned Pendlehave
n and Doctor John pulled at the corne
IA Of his mouth to keep back malicio
u grin.
.rr,r. .aino "a sdopt Tony Devon