Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-04-20
CHAPTER XIV.
A WIN Is Changed.


of which she Had spent in school. had
brought about many changes. Paul
Pendlehaven had taken his place
among the worlds workers, hut this
does not say that he did not still long
for the child who had gone from his
life eighteen years before.
Mrs. Curtis was no nearer giving
Cousin John to Katherine as father
than she ever had been, and Ithaca
had caught no sight of Reginald
Brown since he had fled from I with
the notion that he might follow Uriah
Devon behind the prison bars. Philip
had carried on his wonderful work.
living in the joyous letters he re-
ceiTed from Tony and spending his
spare time in answering them.
One morning Tony came to Paul
Pendlehaven, smiling and blushingly
giriish, and he motioned her to lit
lie stool at his feet.
Darling" he began in a moved
tone, Il sent for you because I've
come TO perhaps the most important
decision of my whole life"
Tony glanced up at him wondering
~. He appeared solemnly sober and
looked as if he hadn't slept.
IF it affects me, Cousin Paul. 1t
can't be greater than the one you
made over two years ago when you
took poor little me into your home"
she asserted.
His hand fell lovingly upon her
curly head as though in benediction.
They both lapsed into a long
silence, the girls dreamy eyes fixed
on space. and the man gazing at her
shining head.
Tony" he calculated at length
There was something in his voice as
he pronounced her name that dis
PEELED her revery instantly.
Yes" she breathed Eyes. what is
it,"
Pendlehaven cleared his throat.
81 would never have believed that
anyone could have worned her way
into my heart as you have" he told
her. How would-how would you
like me for your fatherY"
Tony tried to speak but. seeing he
had something else to add. waited ex-
pectantly.
"Once, as you know" went on the
doctor, 81 had a little girl of my own.
but the years have been so long and
so many since she was taken away.
feel | shan't have her again in this
world"
Tony's dark head dropped against
his knee in silent sympathy.
could you think of me as your ia
Their. dear?" he said after an emotion
al silence.
"Tm not fit for that" sighed Tony.
''No. no, not that. come from peo-
| pie who are not your kind, Cousin
Paul. You know thatl Everybody
doesl Then I'm not so good as you
think | am. FIRST Of all l haven't al
ways told you the truth
$50 my brother told me-" remarked
Doctor Paul. 'Long ago he took me
into his confidence about the poison in
my medicine. I've watched you for
two years, Tony, and 1t seems to me
that l know every secret of your soul.
I'm sure you love me, dear child I'm
going to adopt you legally for my
daughter. After this I'm your father,
and | give warning 20 my Captain
MacCauley that If he tries to take you
from me. he's going to have some fight
on his hands. From now on, I'm not
Cousin Paul. ] am--what?"
MY father" gulped Tony. at
seems as if l couldn't stand so much
happiness. Ana II you're my father,
that makes Cousin John"
Your uncle" laughed a voice from
the door. $50 Paul has told you, has
he. little girl? Well. Tony. you
wouldn't have slept wink one night
If you'd heard our argument about
you. We spent several hours wran-
Cling which Of us should adopt you |
said | should because / saw you first,
and Paul"
"Has the prior right because you
saved me. Tony" interrupted Paul.
"Ncw ! think the family had better
know of our changed arrangements.
Paul Pendlehaven acted as spokes-
man when Mrs Curtis and her dangh-
ter, Katherine, had been summoned to
the library. He told them very grave
ly that as his win now stood. his
brother, John. and his cousin. Sarah.
were the beneficiaries of it. s;rs. Cur
It's smiled at him and arranged the
lace rnffies around her neck.
you've always been most gener-
GUS. Paul dear" she simpered.
"But now" went on the doctor. pay
ing no heed to the lady's remark, "our
households goiEg to have a mistress. :"
Katherine lifted her chin from the
palm OF her haLd. and Mrs. Curtis
Strengthened up. We're her ambitions
going to be realized after all? Was
q Paul who was going 10 put her in
her rightful placer The smile broad.
ened on her lips, and she sank back
with a happy sigh. She had to adj
nit Cousin Paul looked very hand
some. yes, even haDdsomer than Cou-
sin John. What fool she had been
not to have caught him sooner.
''The woman you put at the head Of
your home win be most fortunate and
happy. dear Paul" she murmured.
81 hope So" returned Pendlehayen.
and Doctor John pulled at the corners
Of his mouth to keep back malicious
grin.
I'm going to adopt Tony Devon"
T9oS.+ar pa,4I had oniv time pnougb IN