Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-05-05
CHAPTER XIV.
A VIII Is Changed.

Of which she had spent in school, had
brought about many changes. PAU
Pendlehaven had taken his place
among the worlds workers, but this
does not say that he did not still long
for the child who had gone from MS
life eighteen years before. T.
Mrs. Curtis was no nearer giving
Cousin John to Katherine as a father
than she ever had been, and Ithaca
had caught no sight Of Reginald
Brown since he had fled from it 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-
ceived from Tony and spending his
spare time in answering them.
One morning Tony came to PauF
PendIehaven. smiling and blushingly
girlish, and he motioned her to lit
tie stool at his feet.
Darling" he began in a moved
tone, II sent for you because I've
come to perhaps the most important
| ucClSlOll VI lily WiOIC nv
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 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.
EYES," she breathed. Eyes, what is
it,"
Pendlehaven cleared his throat.
II would never have believed that
anyone could have wormed her way
into my heart as you have" he told
her. "How would-how would yot
like me for your fatherT
Tony tried to speak but, seeing he
had something else to add, waited ex
pectantly.
"Once, as you know" went on the
doctor, II had little girl of my own
but the years have been so long anG
so many since she was taken away
I feel l 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.
4 "I'm not fit for that" sighed Tony
"NO, no, not that. I come from PEG
pie who are not your kind, Cousin
Paul. You know that Everybody
does! Then I'm not so good as yol
think I am. First of all haven't al
ways told you the truth"
$50 my brother told me-" remarked
Doctor Paul. 'Long ago he took m,
into his confidence about the poison il
| lily UlGulClnCs We NGINACu JOO AZ
two years, Tony, and 1t seems to m
that know every secret of your soul
Tn sure you love me, dear child. In
going to adopt you legally for m
daughter. After this I'm your father
. and / give warning to my Captain
MacCauley that If he tries to take yo
from me, he's going to have some figh
on his hands. From now on, I'm no
Cousin Paul. am-what?"
"My father" gulped Tony. u
seems as if / couldn't stand so muc
: happiness. And If you're my father
that makes Cousin John"
"Your uncle" laughed voice fror
the door. $50 Paul has told you, ha
he, little girl? Well, Tony, 70
wouldn't have slept 6 wink one nigh
IL you'd heard our argument abou
you. We spent several hours wrar
: Cling which Of us should adopt you.
said should because l saw you frs
, and Paul"
"Has the prior right because 70
saved me, Tony" interrupted Pau
''Now I think the family had bette
know Of our changed arrangements
Paul Pendlehaven acted as spoke
man when Mrs. Curtis and her daugl
ter, Katherine, had been summoned
the library. He told them very gray
" that as his win now stood, h
brother, John. and his cousin, Sara
were the beneficiaries Of 1t. Mrs. Gu
It's smiled at him and arranged Il
lace ruffles around her neck.
you've always been most gene
Gus, Paul dear" she simpered.
"But now" went on the doctor, pa
ing no heed to the lady's remark, 20
households going to have mistress
Katherine lifted her chin from Il
palm Of her hand, and Mrs. Curt
Strengthened up. Were her ambitio
going to be realized. after ALI w
It Paul who was going to put her
her rightful place? The smile broa
ened on her lips, and she sank ba
with happy sigh. She had 70 q
NIT Cousin Paul looked very han
some, yes, even handsomer than Ca
s,n John. What a fool she had be
not 70 have cnuRht him sooner.