The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-04-14

Tne cOQueltlSn smile WHICH, AiS
Curtis always used in the presence OF
the eminent doctor left her face, and
ner lips drew down at the corners.
"Whats he done noW?" she cried.
"He isn't going to college at all"
said the doctor. He won't pass any
of his examinations if he doesn't go to
class and get his hours in. -
He paused a moment and then went
on, "Another thing l dislike to speak
of, but I must. Reginald has no idea
Of mine and thine. I'm very much
afraid he takes what doesn't belong
to him."
Mrs. Curtis uttered a squeal.
Goodness gracious, you accuse him
of stealing" she screamed.
I'm afraid he does, Sarah" he an
swered gently. "Constantly I'm miss
ing money and things. 1t will hurt
you to know that some one almost
stripped my wardrobe Of clothes, and
now l find there isn't much left for
poor Paul. Paul is very much dis
tressed! l suppose if Reginald did
take them, he thought they were of no
value!'
"Were they?" queried Mrs. Curtis,
leaning over the table, still very
angry.
"Whether they were or not Sarah"
replied Doctor Pendlehaven, ignoring
his young cousins appeal, "they didn't
belong to him. And they were val
liable to Paul in that they held some
thing he priced highly. 1t hasn't been
nv habit to interfere between you and
your children, Sarah, but do wish
you'd ask the boy if he did take Paups
clothes If he's sold them, I'll pay
whatever the amount is"
sHow perfectly disgusting" snapped
Mrs. Curtis. "If the child did sell
them, thinking they were no good,
you'd certainly not want them back
from a secondhand shop"
Doctor Pendlehaven rose from the
table.
"Ask him about the suits, Sarah"
he said, walking toward the door.
"Perhaps if you tell him Paul will
give him a hundred dollars for them
and the contents Of their pockets, he'll
look them up"
Mrs Curtis rose with dignity, her
damp handkerchief clenched in her
hand.
'I'll not insult my only son." she
said distinctly.
With a gesture Of despair, Doctor
Pendlehaven went out of the room.
For a moment after he'd gone, and
the sound of his footsteps had been
lost in the corridor, the mother stared
at her daughter.
'The fact is," she burst out, tits as
Cousin John says, I haven't much IN
iuence over Reggie, but I don't be-
Iieve he's as bad as people say. In
little town like this person can't
take a step sideways without old wags
commenting on it. hate Ithaca for
just that reason"
IF Reggie'd behave himself" re-
piled the lady's daughter in bored
tone, "he wouldn't have to be chat
tered about. My advice is, mamma,
that you give him a good raking over.
IF YOU don't mind your P's and Q's
you'll never have Cousin John for your
third husband, can tell you that.
You're no nearer marrying him than
you were ten years ago, as l can see"
81 will, though, Miss Impudence,"
flashed back the woman. paul won't
be much more than in his grave before
Cousin John makes me his wife.
wish to heaven Paul would die, and
and I don't notice with all your firt-
ing and maneuvering you're getting
your claws on Philip. All, that
shot told!''
Katherine's face had gone red at
the words, then very white.
"How perfectly vile," she exclaimed,
with a catch in her voice. Then she
Strengthened up and laughed. "Well,
I'm not forty-fve years old and pre-
tending I'm thirty-fve, anyway, nor
do 1 dye my hair, and flounce out with
lace to prove Pm young. There's
shot for you. mother darling"
The irate Mrs. Curtis rushed out Of
the room, followed by her daughters
mocking laugh.
For three years Katherine had been
madly. passionately in love with
Philip MacCauley, an intimate friend
of the family. The young mans home
adjoined hers, and during his orphaned
boyhood he'd spent great deal of his
spare time at the Pendlehavens. But
since he'd returned from France and
had taken up the Salvation army
work, work which Katherine held In
open contempt, the intimacy had
about ceased.
(To be continued next week.
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