The herald., 1921-02-24

what have you two been saying to
herr" he demanded in deadening
tones. Il suspected something like
this and-and got away as soon as
could. Darling girl, don't look
6t me like that"
Mrs. Curtis was fully herself now.
"The wicked girl has shot her own
father" she told Captain MacCauley,
making an effort to keep the salts
faction out of her voice. There he
is, dead on the floor"
Then Philip saw Devon. In horr'-
fed amazement and disbelief his gaze
came back to Tonnihel.
Darling" he said, and he went
swiftly to her. II don't believe Il
word Of it. It's all a lie"
Tony flung out her hand.
Don't touch me, please don't!" she
mumbled. ~ told her I did it, and
I-I-I-did."
She backed away from the out
stretched arms.
But you couldn't have" grOaned
the boy. what happened? Oh, God!
Won't someone tell me what hap
penedf'
Mother has told you quite plainly,
Philip" gulped Katherine, noticing
with n thrill that Captain MacCauley
had not covered the few steps Tony
had retreated. "She said. she killed
her father, and no girl admits such a
thing as that unless it's true. Heav-
| ems there's Cousin John and"
Cousin Paul" fell from Mrs. Cur
| It's, who looked as II she had turned to
stone.
Not another word was uttered by
! that silent group of people until after
the two doctors entered the library.
For a moment everything was con-
fusion. Doctor John forced Mrs. Cur
tis into a chair when she tried TO fling
herself into his arms. With every
one but Tony talking at once, neither
he nor his brother could understand
the meaning of the seemingly dead
man on the floor.
"Win you all keep still, all Of you?"
shouted Doctor John. in his bombastic
voice. First, Paul, let's see about
this fellow here"
TONY shot him, II you want to
know" Mrs. Curtis dared to fling out.
Doctor Paul gave her such an awful
look that she quailed beneath It,
Hes not dead" he said after
hasty examination of Uriah, and one
dry, fearless sob burst from Tony De-
Won.
you might as well own up the
whole thing now, miss" cried Mrs.
Curtis, after the wounded man had
been carried out by the doctors and
Philip. It'll be better for you in the
end"
Tony didn't reply, nor did she look
at the speaker. Her mind was follow
Ing her mother along the boulevard,
yes. even down the lonely forest path
to the Dirty Mary. Through her tam
gled thoughts went the question, If
Uriah wasn't her father, who was
How she dreaded to face Doctor Paul
with his infinite kindness, and the ap-
peal she knew he would make. Never
, before had he seemed so dear; never
had Philip MacCauley been so far
I away as at this minute!
At length she lifted her head and
rested her troubled eyes on Mrs. Cur.
It's.
please don't tell my father. mean
Doctor Paul, about your saying my
mother was here" she moaned.
t, Mrs. Curtis considered the request
J quickly.
.Lot hn host she
answered. 81 really thought she was,
or | wouldn't have told you so. IL
u might bring trouble to her, and that
would be dreadful for an innocent per-
4. son."
Doctor Paul went directly to Tony,
:, when. followed by his brother ana
T.. Philip, he came back into the room.
: He tried to draw her to her feet.
l., "rd rather stay here, please" she
-, said. without looking up.
"Who was in the room when the
: man was shOtT asked Doctor John'
. staring at Mrs. Curtis and her daugh'
ter
!! "Just Tonnibel, as far as can find
y, out" Sarah answered. Heaven knows
u that Kathie and / don't want to DC
u mixed up in such thing as this. lrf
Ill perfectly disgraceful."
"Then go upstairs" shot back DOC
- tor John.
&c Loath not to witness the vanquish
~ ing of their enemy. the two womei
trailed out reluctantly.
III In spite Of Tony's resistance, DOC
tor Paul placed his arm about her'
TX Cant you tell your father about II
d dear?" he pleaded. "How did you nap
eu pen to have the gun in your HANDS
IL and what did he dor
IL 81 Just shot him." sighed Tony
rs dully. She was too exhausted to sa
'h' ANYTHING more. What was there I
explain, after all1 The only sure wa
an to save Edith was to insist she, hel
- self, had fired the shot.
en- A strange, strangling sound cam
II. from Captain MacCauley. Then n
% blurted out:
,s "Tony, darling, please don't sit ther
i'S that way. Tell us about 1t. Do, dea
Oh, don't you know how much we
-, love your"