The Snowflake herald., 1921-08-12


I'm going to adopt Tony Devon"
Doctor Paul had only time enough to
make this statement when Mrs. Cur
tis Jumped to her feet.
"You couldn't do that" she cried.
'"That would be wicked, Paul, abso-
lutely wicked! Oh God, don't do
thatw
Without needing in the slightest his
Cousins bitter ejaculation, Paul Pen
dlehaven picked up box that lay at
his elbow. With much ceremony he
opened it and took out an exquisite
pearl necklace.
81 do not need to remind any OF
you," he said, turning his eyes from
his brother to his two white-faced
cousins, ''that these belonged to M
dear wife. / have always considered
them the property of her daughter
too. That is the reason, Katherine,
why I've always refused your request
to wear them. But now l have a
daughter" He turned smiling eyes
upon Tonnibel. II shall allow her to
wear them whenever she wishes, and
if-if 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, II simply couldn't"
mot to please me, your father,
TOnnibel?" demanded Paul, almost
brusQuely.
"And me, your new uncleY' laughed
Doctor John. "Why, honey, little girl"
ne reached out and took Tonnibel's
hand don't look as if you'd lost your
last friend! !"
Then Paul Pendlehaven drew Ton
nibel Devon to his side, and, when he
had clasped the jewels around her
neck, he lifted herr face and kissed
her
''There, little daughter!' His voice
choked with emotion, but he con
quered his feelings and went on,
'they're very lovely, very precious,
Tony, doubly so because you're wear
ing them"
"Oh," she exulted, "how happy l
am! 1t isn't the pearls.
though they're simply great. but it's
that I have some real people" She
turned a flushed and radiant face to
each man. Somebody that's my very
own. My mothers dead, and my fa-
ther-"
"Is in prison." snapped Mrs Curtis.
vindictively. "Pm wondering what
he'll say to all this when he comes
home"
"His opinion won't make any differ
ence to u.s." Paul Pendlehaven stated
coolly HE has forfeited every right
to any claim on Tony"
"Hideousl" exclaimed Mrs. Curtis.
and well, 1 never" dropped from
Katherine.
"And," went on Doctor Paul, re-
lentlessly, for he knew the barbs that
were being thrust into the souls of his
two cousins. I'm going to change my
will in favor of my new daughter
here"
"And mine in favor of our young
Salvation Army captain who is going
to marry my new niece chuckled
Doctor John. Il guess that's all we
have to say, Paul."
In silence Katherine and Mrs Cur
tis faded from the room, carrying
with them bitter humiliation and
nursing outraged feelings.
Its al your fault, mamma scold-
ed Katherine, bursting into tears when
they were in the Seclusion of their own
apartments. you've whined' and wept
yourself right out of Cousin Johns
life, that's what you've done. God.
how hated that girl when saw Car
Oline's pearls around her neck -
What are you doing now?r thrust
back her mother. Aren't you crying
as If your heart would break? l tell
you tears"
"Oh Lordy, tears What good do
they do?" came sharply. Here we
are without future, without home
That interloper will see we 60 the
moment Paul gets out those papers
Oh, what shall we do?"
II wish that man--her father, /
mean-was out of JAIL mused Mrs.
Curtis. II really believe he could do
something, Katie. Perhaps, Reggie"
Katherine wiped her eyes with
sudden movement.
Mamma, why don't you send for
Reggie?" she questioned Now, lis
ten to me. Reggie confided in me
before he left that he really was fond
of that girl, and if Oh, mamma, I've
thought Of a wonderful thing. Send
for Reggie, shove the girl under his
nose every minute. Let him cut Philip
| out"
"And perhaps have my son marry
that thing" objected the mother curtly.
THAT thing, as you please to call
Tony Devon, is one Of the prettiest
and richest young women in this coun-
ty," Katherine snapped back. "She's
heiress to the Pendlehavens and en-
i gagged to be married to q. man who