Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1921-03-31

the pallor of her face were reddish
blue bruises. Then the bare feet took
the distance between them in a oound. |
The dimpies at the corners of her lips |
lived moment and were gone.
When Paul Pendehaven dropped
back on the pillow, she spoke.
"Me and Gussie's back she said
81 climbed up the tree and
got to the roof. fearin' to wake up
the other folks in the house" She sat
down beside the bed. Somehow l
knew you'd be lookin' for me, sir"
II was because she had passed
through such a dreadful night and was
90 terribly tired that she cried little
as child cries after II has been cruel
ly punished.
Paul Pendlehaven let his thin hand
drop on the frowsly head. Tears stung
his own lids like nettles.
Dear child" he breathed, dear
pretty child. I've waited all night for
you. My God, what's happened to
your"
Tony covered her face with her
hands.
Somebody beat me up she
moaned. II can't tell anything now.
And lost my pretty clothes"
Sudden strength came TO Paul Pen
dlehaven. He sat up straight and
forcibly lifted the pltiful hurt face so
he could look at 1t.
"Tony," he began gravely, II COM
mand you to tell me what happened
to you. Tell me instantly. If | knew,
I could take steps TO punish the ruhian
who dared to do this thing"
That was just what Tony didn't
want. Hadn't she sworn to Edith in
the presence Of the infinite Christ, that
good Shepherd who had given up His
life for His sheep. that no matter
what Uriah did she wouldn't peach on
him?
The tears were still rolling down
her cheeks from under lowered lids.
you have so helped me, Tony" con-
tilued Pendlehaven. land yet you re-
fuse to let me do what | can"
She tried to think of something to
comfort him.
But sometimes daddies and hus-
bands beat their women folks" she ex-
planned.
"Then your father whipped your
quizzed the doctor.
THAT I can't tell" said the girl.
Don't make me. Oh, Lordy,
I'm all tuckered out"
1t was of no use to put questions
any more, thought Pendlehaven. He
was persuaded that her father had
done this dreadful thing.
At eight o'clock, when Or. John
Pendlehaven softly entered the sick
room he found his brother in sound
slumber, and Tony Devon, her face
discOlOred with bruises. fast asleep In
the chair by the bedside.
1T was Il stubborn Tony that faced
Doctor John that morning Adroitly he
tried to draw from her the reason for
her extreme paleness, for the dark
marks stretched across her face, aud
the meaning of the shudders that sud-
denly attacked her.
u can't tell" she reiter" ted In dis
tress las she had TO his brother. please
don't ask me-"
That her mother was dead, she firm
ly believed. This she did tell the doc
tor between many sobs and tears.
"1'll never see her ever any more"
she told him TREMENDOUSLY. And If
you'll let me, I'll live here forever and
forever and take care Of Doctor Paul"
my brother can't get along without
you. dear" he said, deeply touched. IF
you had seen how he grieved last
night, you wouldn't have made that
remark"
IL know he likes me-" said the GIRL
signing, land | love him. Why, / love
him"
She searched the mans face and
caught his smile.
Better than you do me?" he came
in with.
yes" said Tonnibel, honestly. "but
YOU next" Then she thought of
Philip, of the hours he had held her
against his breast, of the kiss in the
mornings dawn. and she fell into a
bashful silence.
When Doctor Pendlehaven told Mrs.
Curtis that Tony had returned, her
face drew down in sulky frown.
But we needn't care" Katherine
said afterward, "she doesn't bother us
much. For my part can't see how
Cousin Paul stands her."
John says Paul almost died last
night" took up Mrs. Curtis. II sup
pose she's one Of the things we've