The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-08-11

ed. dropping back sullenly. Hes old
enough and sick enough, isn't he?"
Because he's getting WELL" replied
his mother. "That girl"
"What girlT Reggie's voice asked
the question in monotone.
"Some huzzy John picked up not
long ago." was the reply. "She's
brought Paul to life, and John is wild
about her. and now"
"Where is she?" interjected Reginald.
"With your Cousin Paul. And, Reg
gle, I'd give five hundred to get her
out of the house."
The boy rose and stood gazing down
at the tips of his highly polished
boots.
ard give more than that" he replied
solemnly. ''to know Cousin Paul was
In his grave"
"Then rid us of the girl, and he'll
soon keel over" said the mother.
But Reginald wasn't interested in
Cousin Paurs new companion. He
wanted money and that was all, now
that Tony Devon was dead.
"How about the five hundred for
meY' he questioned. looking at her
keenly.
I've said l hadn't it, my son." said
she. Now run away and don't bother
me any more"
Reggie did leave the room, but not
the house. His mind was filed with
many plans to get hold of the cash
he needed. There were two things had
to be done. Whoever the girl with
Cousin Paul was. she had to go. 1t
was enough that his mother didn't
want her in the house. Reggie could
abuse his own women folks; he could
make them cry all he wanted to- but
that any one, and stranger too, could
force his mother into a spell of hys-
terics, he wouldn't tolerate.
Then the other thing to which he
had made up his mind almost brought
his hair on end when he contemplated
it. The world had to be relieved of
Cousin Paul.
A little drop of somethfng-Reggie
rose to his feet and walked nervously
up and down the room. 'Twould be
easy enough to get hold of, for DR..
John always had plenty of drugs on
hand.
That afternoon he met Captain Mac
Cauley on State street. The sight OF
Reggie's slim staggering figure
brought Philip to a quick decision. He
stopped directly in front of Brown,
and, as it was the first time they'd met
since the memorable moment when
Reggie had been flung in the lake, they
looked embarrassedly into each others
eyes.
$50 you decided to come homer"
asked Philip, his voice sharply toned.
Reggie gathered together his cour-
age and curled his lips. Why should
he be afraid of Salvation army cap
tain even If he were rich?
ut looks like it, doesn't it?" he
sneered. "And It's none of your busi-
ness. anyway"
"It's my business about how you
treat Tony Devon" Philip began, but
Reggie's fresh outburst cut off his
words.
"Nobody1l ever treat her any way
after this" he almost groaned. "She's
dead, drowned in the lake."
A Mortified expression passed over
Philips face. Then he realized that
Reginald didn't know Of Tony Devons
presence in tic Pendlehaven home.
She's better on then than she was
the last time you saw her." he said
and whirled away.
Twenty minutes later Philip was
talking to John Pendlehaven.
"You promised last night ]. could see
her today" he pleaded. "rn promise
only to stay few minutes. May l 60
up7"
"No; I'll call Tony down." was the
reply. II don't want Paul disturbed
today"
When the boy and girl stood facing
each other, embarrassment kept them
silent for some moments. Philip had
decided to find out whether Tony knew
Of Reginald Browns connection with
the Pendlehavens, although he was
positive In his own mind she did not
) Its nice day." he blurted out,
and Tonnibei's low "yes" was her
only answer. How pretty she looked.
thought Philip, and how much he de-
sired to kiss her as he had the other
time In the breaking dawn on the shore
y Of Lake sCayuga- -. -s..e-a,
Tony" he said huskily. don't you
don't you-like me at all?"
Tonnibel opened her eyes to their
fullest extent. Why. hadn't she kissed
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