Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1921-04-01

anyone cOuld have WOrlned her way
into my heart as you have" he told
her How would-how would you
like me for your father"
Tony tried to speak but, seeing he
had something else to add, waited ex-
pectantIy.
"Once. as you know" went on the
but the years have been SO long and
50 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
ther, dear?" he said after an emotion
al silence.
I'm not fit for that" sighed Tony.
40. no not that. / come from peo-
'rlr who are not your kind Cousin
Paul. You know that! Everybody
does Then I'm not so good as YOU
think l am. First of all I 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 it seems to me
that | 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 I give warning to 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 ut
seems as if l couldn't stand so much
happiness. And if 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 a 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.
Nov I think the family had better
know of our changed arrangements"
Paul Pendlehaven acted us Sp0kes-
man when Mrs Curtis and her daugh-
ter, Katherine, had been summoned to
the library. He told them very grave
~ that rs his will now stood, his
brother, John. and his cousin. Sarah,
were the benefciaries Of it. Mrs Cur
It's smiled at him and arranged the
lace ruffieS around her neck.
"You'ye always been most gener-
Gus. Paul dear" she simpered.
But now" went on the doctor. pay
ing no heed to the ladys remark, "our
households going to have a mistress"
Katherine lifted her chin from the
palnr of her hand and Mrs Curtis
Straightened up. We're her ambitions
going to be realized after all? Was
1t Paul who was going to put her in
her rishtful place? The smile broad
ened on her lips. and she sank back
with a happy sigh. She had to sd-
init Cousin Paul looked very hand
some, yes, even handsOmer 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 will be most fortunate and
happy, dear Paul" she murmured.
II hope So" returned Pendlehaven.
and Doctor John pulled at the corners
Of his mouth to keep back a malicious
grin.
I'm going to adopt Tony Devon"
Doctor Paul had only time enough TO
make this statement when Mrs. Cur
It's jumped to her feet.
"TOu couldn't do that" she cried.
THAT would be wicked, Paul, abso-
luteIy wicked! Oh God, don't do
that !"
Without needing in the slightest his
COUSINS bitter ejaculation, Paul Pen
dIehaven picked up box that lay at
his elbow. With much ceremony he
opened it and took out an exquisite
pearl necklace.
II do not need to remind any of
you," he said, turning his eyes from
his brother to his two white-fa
cousins, that these belonged to my
dear wife. | have always considered
them the property of her, daughter
too. That is the reason, Katherine
Why I've always refused your request
10 wear Them. But now | have
daughter" He turned smiling eyes
upon TOnnibeI 81 shall allow her to
wear them whenever she wishes, and
Tiff her lost sister isn't found, then
they are hers-hers forever"
A long kissing breath broke from
Sarah Curtis, and gasp came from
katherine.
81 couldn't wear them," Tony got
out at length, 81 simply couldn't"
Not to please me, your father,
Tonnibel?" demanded Paul. almost
brusQuely.
"And me, your new uncle?" laughed