The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-08-25


"Tony. child" broke forth Doctor
John, '"don't look so frightened. No
ones going to hurt you while you're
with me. Come here, my dear"
His voice was so low, so tender,
that Mrs. Curtis ground her teeth in
rage, and Uriah Devon felt his power
ebbing away.
Tonnibel walked swiftly to Doctor
Johns side and slipped her hand into
his.
Those two said couldn't even say
head against the kindly arm that sup
ported her and for moment was SO
agitated she could not proceed.
"Hush, DEAR" pleaded Pendlehaven.
'Hush! Do you want to stay here?"
'Yes, oh, yes, sir, do, indeed, sir!"
she cried. "But-but-"
"Then you'll stay" the doctor told
her in a voice low-pitched and stern.
'If your father thinks"
I'm goin' to have my GIRL" gritted
Uriah.
"Then you have the law at your
hand to use, Mr.. Devon" returned the
doctor, land you, Sarah. I'll ask you
to attend to your own affairs after
this"
"But. Cousin John" argued Mrs.
Curtis, "she's the mans own child.
Surely he has a right Toto"
A sound of a bell pealing through
the house cut of her words. Then
came heavy footsteps In the hall. Be
fore anyone could figure on the cause
of this commotion. the door burst
open and several uniformed men
came in. When Uriah Devon caught
sight Of them, he made dash for the
window, but two heavy officers were
on him before he was half way scross
the room. 1t took but few minutes
for the Ofiicials to explain to Doctor
Pendlehaven that they had been trail
ing Devon for a long time, that he
was wanted for 4 crime in Syracuse.
When they were leading him out
manacied and deeply enraged, he
turned on Tonnibel.
''I'll get even with you, miss" he
snapped at her, his eyes full Of hate,
"and I'll get even with you too, mis-
ter" He threw the last half Of his
sentence at Doctor John. whose only
reply was a shrug Of his shoulders.
During the struggle between the de-
tectives and Uriah, Mrs. Curtis had
clutched at Pendlehaven's neck, but
he had cast her OF without ceremony.
Now the three were alone. Tonnibel,
palpitating and fearful. Mrs. Curtis,
sobbing on the floor, and Doctor John,
looking at her sternly.
Sarah" he said haughtily, IT saw
the disgraceful way you were pulling
this child's hair when 1 came In, and
at last, much as 1 dislike doing It,
must ask you to leave my house."
"Leave?" Mrs. Curtis screamed.
"Where would go? 1 haven't a place
In the world but this"
A careless gesture from Doctor
John told Tonnibel that that fact
didn't interest him. She slipped her
hand into his. Lifting eyes that were
troubled and dark-circled. she begged:
LET 'er stay, Cousin John. Mebbe
she didn't know my daddy would have
killed me II he'd got me back to the
Dirty Mary"
Pendlehaven put his arm around
her, and with a ring Of ferceness in
his voice. .Daid:
"There, Sarah. there's pity for you.
II you stay. it's because Tony Devon
pleads for you, not because l have
any sense of duty toward you. 1
hope you feel properly grateful"
The doctor strobe to the door,
opened it and motioned for her to be
gone. Then weeping. she clattered
away, her sobs audible even after the
door was closed.
For a few moments Tony DeYon
~, sl.entiy in John Pendlehayen's
nrins.
"Oh, It's awful to have daddy taken
away to jail" she moaned. but he
won't be good. he Just won't!"
You're much better of to have
him away. little girl" soothed Pen,
tliehavpn