The Hope pioneer., 1921-04-07
By GRACE MILLER WHITE

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
safe"
To deny 1t would be the same as tell
Ing that third person had been there.
To admit 1t would forever place her
beyond the pale Of his love. Yet there
was Edith-and Uriah, whom she had
sworn to protect.
"Yes, I know" she whispered. "Of
course, know" she repeated louder.
you'll tell me-" begged Philip,
hoarsely. "Great Heavens, child, can't
you see how awful 1t looks for you?"
"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 filed 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 if you know, Tony" Doctor
John calculated, "just out with it.
Your father evidently didn't take
| them"
Il did," interrupted Tony.
| 0vVho<
MY brother gave you permission to
wear them whenever you wanted to"
Tony couldn't answer. She was be-
coming nopelessly entangled, more so
with every word she uttered
| God, I'd rather have given them all
/ tended to, anyhow"
IF your father dies. Tonnibel." said
Doctor John, sternly, "you'n be arrest
ed. Oh, Lord! What mess!"
"1t'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-
termfned to- make his plea openly to
the girl.
''Tony," he said, coming forward
with magnanimous swagger, "I'm the
| only one in this house who loves
| you"
"You lie," flashed Philip, as Doctor
John took a step toward his young
cousin, but the girls expression
brought him to halt She was look
ing at Reginald with eyes that seemed
to him to burn holes through him.
"T've never told any one here you
cared for me. Reggie" she faltered,
drawing herself forcibly from Doctor
Paul. "and-and took the things out
Of the safe to help us along when--
when"
Reggie stared at her, amazement
spreading over his countenance; he
felt swelling in his chest, an over
whelming awe and respect for her.
II didn't tell you to steal," he blurt-
ed.
II know you didn't" responded Ton
nfbel, amid the terrible silence that
had fallen on her friends, "but we
couldn't get along without money. SO
took the-the-Cousin Paul's-"
During the broken statement Philip
MacCauley had dropped into chair
and covered his face with his hands.
Doctor John was gaping at her as If
she had struck him, but Doctor Paul
we'll, he simply reached out and
grasped her hands.
"You're lying again. Tony" he inter
rupted her grimly. II don't know why
but I'm positive all you've said is a
fearful lie. Reginald, have you ever
asked Tony to marry you?'
The boy smiled broadly. Everything
was working out splendidly for him:
"Yes, and her father promised her
to me-" he boasted. "but didn't know
until tonight she really loved me-"
Tony shot him, look of hate, but
she lowered her eyes instantly. She
dared not risk Paul Pendlehaven see.
ing her revulsion.
But it was to Reginald's credit that
he believed she spoke the truth. His
vanity wouldn't allow. him to think
otherwise.
I'D like to talk to her alone" he
said crisply, directly at Cousin Paul.
"Women are peculiar creatures. Why,
I've loved her over two years, and to
think she made Philip believe she was
going to marry him"
$50 she is,'' snapped Philip, raising
his head.
"When I've done my damnedest t0
get her to kiss me even." continued
Reginald, overlooking MacCauley's
ejaculation. "YOu remember your
self, Phil. what happened that day on
the hoat"
Don't repeat It," cried Tony. "Oh.
all Of you go away. Let ME alone.
want to be by myself"
"You want to. be with me-" contra
1T