Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-07-07
a Now Romance Of the Storm Countrt1

side her daughter, who turned ava!
contemptuously.
"That settles one question" com
mented Doctor Paul; grimly. "YOU
shot Devon, Reggie" and the boy sani
into chair beside his mother. 'Now,
continued the doctor, 'who robbed the
safer"
To know that her mother hadn't
done the shooting relieved but one OF
Tonnibels worries. Uriah wasn't hurt
much anyway, but the doctors ques-
ton brought wildly to her mind an
other danger, not a whit less serious
Edith was certainly involved in looting
the safe!
81 told you once" Tony began
weakly.
Child" interposed Doctor Paul,
you'll shield no one else. l shudder
to think what might have happened if
! your mother hadn't come here for her
husband"
His tones were low and stern,
though much moved.
His eye caught sight of the black
bag at the same time his brothers did.
Doctor John opened it and, amid an
appalling silence, took box after box
out of it.
"Plain stealing" he growled, and
then he stared at Mrs. Devon in open
mouthed amazement. "What'd you
bring EN- back for?" he questioned.
Edith paid no attention to Doctor
Johns query but addressed her hus-
band.
"Uriah, now you went and done it
again !" She turned to Doctor Paul.
''You got everythin' back, give me my
man. He didn't know what he was
dom, sir"
"Then he'll be taught a lesson, the
same as Reginald will, madam" re-
Joined the doctor. ever since your
daughter came to us, she's been in
dread of your husband, her father.
Once he was sent away, and she had
peace. This time he won't come back
in hurry"
Doctor John reached into the drawer
of the table near him and produced
the roll of bills that Philip had found
on Devon the night before.
"How about this, your" he inquired
of Devon. "Where'd this come from
before 1t was in your pocket? While
we're at it, we might as well clear up
everything"
The center of interest, Uriah Devon
shifted uneasily in his chair. He had
discovered the loss Of the money but
had not dared to make any inquiry
about it. Hastily he ran over the sit
uation, and 1t appeared to him as hope
less as possible, but five thousand dol
lars was a good thing for q man to
have, whatever his position. If Mrs.
Curtis claimed the money, her connec-
ton with him would come out, and |
that might make things easier for him. |
If she didn't, he'd have the cash any
how.
'That's mine, mister" he grunted, |
land I didn't steal it. neither. Give it
to me-"
The same considerations had been
chasing through Mrs. Curtis mind,
and, In the general cataclysm that she
saw before her, she concluded the
money might be very necessary for
her and her children.
Don't let him have it, john" she
screamed. "It's mine. Give it to me-"
Doctor John arose and stood be-
tween Uriah and Mrs. Curtis, holding
the roll of bills in his hand. Amidst
the closest attention of the rest of the
group, he looked from one to the other,
while the claimants INDUCED in a dis
1ute.
"You give it to me, didn't you,
na'am?" asked Uriah, roughly.
Didn't your"
"Yes, 1 suppose I did," she acknowl-
,aid you would"
"'Twasnt my fault" Uriah grum-
lied. eff that fool of a son Of yours
hadn't butted In and shot me, I'd TAX
n Tony like bargained to-"
Then Doctor Paul interposed, and
| few questions, sternly put and cate
,orically answered, discovered the
whole conspiracy between Mrs. Curtis,
Ter children. and Uriah Devon.
John Pendlehaven, whose anger had
een steadily rising suddenly stepped
onward and brushed his brother aside ]
"rll take charge of this now, Paul." l
e stated. you're too id easy. /
Iere's where you treacherous snakes {
o to jail" he included Uriah and the |
Jurtises In a sweep Of his hand "Ev- G
nv one Of your He turned savagely I
pom Reginald. "You little pup" he
harged swiftly, "you tried to poison "
aul, didn't your He crossed to his
ide and lowered over him with up a
aised fist. "Own up, d-n you. Didn't h
ou?" t
Reginald covered, slipped out of his d
hair and attempted to shield himself C
Mrs. Curtis arms, who leaned pro-
,ctingly over him.
Ell was drunk" he excused him
If, land l thought" he whimpered
his mother, II thought you wanted f