The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-09-15


When we goin' to see 'er, Ry?"
'Oh, after WHILE" said he. after
supper She's awful busy gettin' ready
for a swell blowout. Lord, but she's
pretty"
"She always was that" answered
Edith, and she fell into deep revery.
Unobserved by his wife, Uriah De-
Won made ready to leave the Dirty
Mary for some weeks. So absorbed
was Edith In her thoughts that she
ps1d no heed to her husbands sly ac-
tions. He knew they would not dare
to return to the boat with Tony until
after she had been forced to marry
Reginald Brown. Uriah would glad
ly have abandoned his wife forever.
but in making his plans, had foreseen
that, II they met with much opposi-
ton from Tonnibel, the woman. un-
der his threats. could handle her. At
nine o'clock they started for Ithaca.
Ur1ah carrying a small black bag, and
in his pocket his revolver.
They entered Pendlehaven place
through the service gate, and, when
they passed the garage, the man no.
kACCu Win 6dllbkdCliOn thht xtCklhdiu .
automobile was standing ready for
use. Close to the mansion, he placed
his wife out of sight under a rose
bush.
I'm goin' in and get Tony, Ede,"
he explained. "'Twas a promise 1 give
the kid. she could see you alone first.
Just sit here, til come back. You
don't want to see Pendlehaven, eh ?"
Edith shuddered and shrank back.
"No, don't" she whispered. 81
Just want to talk to the baby a min
ute. I want her to forgive me before
we go away. We been cussed mean
to that kid. Uriah."
Devon made n grunting assent, left
Edith sitting behind the rose bush
and slipped up the steps of the
house.
A little while before, Reggie Brown.
well filed up on brandy, had descend
ed to the library to wait for Devon.
If he hadn't had this thing on, and the
Importance of it hadn't weighed on
him all the long day. he'd have gone
to bed, his head ached so, but his de-
sire to capture Tony Devon kept the
fumes of alcohol from completely be-
fuddling his brains. Inside the library.
he stood swaying near the door. tap
ping his pocket from time to time to
make sure he was armed. Then he
stumbled across the room, threw him.
self on the divan and in another mo-
ment had forgotten in drunken
sleep that there was any such person
In the world as Tonnibel Devon.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Curtis was walking
the floor upstairs. half mad with anx.
Iety. and Katherine, in state OF
nerves. was smoking one cigarette af.
ter another.
"Godl When she's gone" broke
forth the girl. "Tll know what happi.
ness meansw
$50 will l." echoed Mrs. Curtis
ITS almost time for me to go down
isn't 1t? I hope that man won't dis.
appoint u.s."
Don't fear about that" sneered
Katherine. Hes even more anxious
than we are. Sos Reggie, but don't
envy you telling Tony her mothers
alive"
II think you might do It," COM
planned Mrs. Curtis with a sniffie. "All
the anxiety and worry of this thing
has fallen on me-"
"That's because you're so clever,
my sweet" retorted katherine, sarcas-
tically. "Oh. go on down and don't
act his If you were afraid of your own
shadow. Say. Rege was drunk as
anything at dinner"
ssv0tco1v 81 ri f-t,
er as she went out. II hope to the
high heavens he'll staighten up some
day."
First Mrs. Curtis stole down to the
library. There she found Uriah De
Won. standing with his hat in his hand,
and. as he Saw her. he made a grin
ming bow.
"Where's Rege7" he asked eagerly.
Upstairs, think" replied Mrs.
Curtis in low voice. Hes had too
much to drink. Did you bring your
wife?"
yep; she's outside" was the mans
answer. "And the kid? Does she
know Ede's still In .le land Of the
livin'r
mo. but I'll tell her now." returned
Mrs. Curtis desperately. Here's the
five thousand dollars" She thrust a
roll Of bank notes into his hand. "I1l
send Tony right down." ended the
woman and she went swiftly out.
Uriah glanced about the room in
anticipation. He intended not only
to take Tony with him, but every
thing else Of value he could lay his
hands on. Edith had often described
the valuables kept in a wall-safe in
this very room. Mrs. Curtis had no
more than closed the door before, re-
volver In hand. he began his search.
An exclamation Of delight almost es-
capped his lips when he discovered the
safe-door was unlocked. He grinned
at the carelessness Of the rich as he
flung Into the black bag the boxes of
1ewelry, completely stripping the safe