Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1921-06-02
The Shadow Of the Sheltering Pines
Anew Romance Of the Storm Country
By GRACE MILLER WHITE


lllllIll
4 searched every pocket in his
clothes. But found this wad Of
money. There must be thousands In
It'll"
He passed the money to Doctor
John.
ut wasn't In the safe" said the lat
ter, thoughtfully, slipping It Into the
table drawer.
His words struck new terror to
Tonnibel. Edith had robbed the safe.
then. Edith who never stole unless she
was forced to 1t. 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
safer"
To deny It would be the same as tell
Ing that third person had been there.
To admit II would forever place her
beyond the pale of his love. Yet there
was Edith-and Uriah. whom she had
sworn to protect.
Eyes. l know" she whispered. "Of
course, I know" she repeated louder.
you'll tell me-" begged Philip,
hoarsely. "Great Heavens, child. can't
you see how awful 1t looks for your
"Yes," was all she said, miserably.
Doctor John was wandering aimless-
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
horror-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 II you know. Tony" Doctor
John calculated. "just out with It
Your father evidently didn't take
| them"
Il did" interrupted Tony.
what tori" 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 20
with every word she uttered.
God, I'd rather have given them all
to you" mourned Doctor Paul. II In
tended to, anyhow"
| IF your father dies. Tonnibel." said
Doctor John, sternly. you'll be arrest.
ed. Oh, Lord! What messi"
4 @It's 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 tc
the girl.
| Tony" he said. coming forward
with magnanimous swagger. "Tm the
only one In this house who loves
you
"you lie" flashed Philip. as Doctor
John took step toward his younl
cousin. but the girls expressior
brought him to halt. She was look
Ing at Reginald with eyes that seemed
to him to burn holes through him.
"Ive never told any one here yor
cared for me, Reggie" she faltered
drawing herself forcibly from Doctor
Paul. 'and-and I took the things on
Of the safe to help us along when
when"
Reggie stared at her, amazemen
spreading over his countenance: h
felt a swelling in his chest. an over
whelmfng awe and respect for her.
II didn't tell you to steal" he blurt
ed.
Il know you didn't" responded Ton
nibel. amid the terrible silence tina
had fallen on her friends. but W
couldn't get along without money. D
I took the--the-C Cousin Paul's-"
During the broken statement Phiiil
MacCauley had dropped into chai
and covered his face with his hands
Doctor John was gaping at her as !
she had struck him. but Doctor Paul.
we'll. he simply reached out ant
grasped her hands.
you're lying again. Tony" he inter
rupted her grimiy. Il don't know why
but I'm positive all you've said 10 {
fearful lie. Reginald. have you eve
aske Tony to marry your
II boy smiled broadly. Everythin,
was working out splendidly for him.
y, "1 es, and her father promised he
to me-" he boosted, ''but didn't know
until tonight she really loved me-"
n, Tony shot him look Of hate. bu
she lowered her eyes instantly. Sh
, dared not risk Paul Pendlehaven see
Ing her revulsion.
i But II was to Reginald's credit tina
!, he believed she spoke the truth. Hi
vaalfv s0i1ldn't allow him To thin