Graham guardian., 1921-01-21
CHAPTER ~.
The Pendlehavens.


In all of Tompkins county no family
mad more prestige than Pendlehavens'.
John and Paul Pendlehaven had
chosen medicine and surgery as their
location when they were In college.
John was bachelor, and Paul wid-
over, At the time this story opens the
latter was an invalid, his lnfrmity
brought about by the death Of his
young wife, who had died at the birth
of their daughter, and the disappear
ance of the little girl when she was
but year old. Pendlehavep place
comprised whole city block, on which
stood q house, almost mansion. In
the family were John, Paul, and Mrs.
Curtis and her two children, Katherine
and Reginald. Mrs. Curtis was sec
ond cousin TO the Pendlehaven BROTH
ers and had made her home with them
since her children had been left father
less Mrs. Curtis had buried two hus-
bands, Sllas Curtis, the father Of
Katherine. and Edmund Brown. the
father of Reginald.
For over a year now Paul Pendle-
haven had not left his apartments In
the southern wing of the house. Many
times he had told his brother, John.
that he only waited with what pa.
tlence he could for the call to 90
away, TO follow after his girl-wife. and
perhaps, well. perhaps his child might
now be with her mother.
On the day that Uriah Devon re-
turned from his weeks bout, Doctor
Pendlehaven was seated opposite his
cousin Mrs Curtis, at dinner.
sarah" he began gravely, Il wish
you'd consent 20 ny taking Reginald
in hand for q time. He viii be abso-
mtely ruined If something isn't done
with him"
The coquettlsh smile which Mrs
Curtis always used In the presence OF
the eminent doctor left her face. and
her lips drew down at the corners.
whats he done nowf" she cried,
"He isn't going to college at all"
said the doctor "He won't pass any
of his examinations II he doesn't 90 to
class and get his hours In. =.
He paused moment and then went
on, "Another thing | dislike to speak
of, but must. Reginald has no Idea
OF mine and thine. I'm very much
afraid he takes what doesn't belong
TO him."
Mrs. Curtis uttered sQueal.
Goodness gracious, you accuse him
of stealing" she screamed.
"Tm afraid he does, Sarah" he an
swered gently. Constantly Tn niiss-
ing money and things. n will hurt
you to know that some one almost
stripped my wardrobe Of clothes, and
now l find there isn't much left for
poor Paul Paul Is very much dis
tressedl suppose II Reginald did
take them, he thought they were Of se
valuei'
"were theyT querled Mrs. Curtis,
leaning over the table, stfil very
angry.
whether they were or not, Sarah" !"
replied Doctor Pendlehaven, ignoring
his young cousins appeal, they dldn't
belong to him. And they were val
liable to Paul In that they held some
thing he priced highly. II hasn't been
my habit TO interfere between you ana
your children, Sarah, but DO wish
you'd ask the boy II he did take PauFs
clothes. II he's sold them. ri pay
whatever the amount Is"
'How perfectly disgusting" snapped
Mrs. Curtis. IF the child did sell
them, thinking they we're no good,
you'd certainly not want them back
from a secondhand shop"
Doctor Pendlehaven rose from the
table.
"Ask him about the suits, Sarah,
he said, walking toward the door
'Pcrhaps II you tell him Paul win
give him a hundred dollars for them
aud the contents Of their pockets, he'll
look them up"
Mrs Curtis rose with dignity, her
damp handkerchief clenched "A hei
hand.
"I'll not Insult my only son." she
said distinctly.
With a gesture Of despair. Doctor
Pendlehayen went out Of the room.
For moment after he'd gone, and
the sound of his footsteps had beer
lost In the corridor, the mother stared
{ at her daughter.
"The fact ls," she burst out. ats o,
Cousin John says, | haven't much IA
fluence over Reggie, but don't be
lieve he's as bad as people say. In ,
little town like this a person can
take a step sideways without old wagi
commenting on II. hate Ithaca foI
.jpsts that reason"
IF Reggle'd behave himself" re
piled the lady's daughter In bore,
!. tone, che wouldn't have to be chat
tered about. : My advice is, mamma
that YOU give him good raklng oves
II you -doas mind your Pc Md q
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