Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1921-03-17

ear.
Il want to tell you. everyone" Went
on Tony. tiercely. that I'll swear til
] die my mother"
Paul PendIehaven took the speaker
by the shoulders and forced her face
up to his.
This woman, here, your MOTHER"
and he waved his arm toward Mrs.
Devon. says you didn't have that gun
in your hand, and it's loaded to the
brim now. She didn't use ii. either"
Reggie's jaw dropped. He made
dash for the door, as Mrs. Curtis
screamed. Doctor John caught the
fleeing boy and wheeled him around
to face his horror-stricken mother.
ITS lie! didn't" he mumbletl.
"Where'd get gun to shoot any
one? This woman lid 1t herself.
saw her." ..
"rhen you were here" cried Philip.
Mrs. Curtis acted as If she were 60
Ing to faint, but, as no one paid any
attention to her. she slumped buck be-
side her daughter, who turned away
contemptuously.
THAT settles one question:" COM
mented Doctor Paul. grimly. "You
shot Devon. Reggie" and the boy sank
into a chair beside his mother. Now"
continued the doctor, "who robbed the
safe?"
TO know that her mother hadn't
done the shooting relieved but one of
Tonnibel's 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 footing
the safe!
II told you once." Tony began
weakly.
Child" interposed Doctor Paul,
you'll shield no one else. l shudder
to think what might have happened IL
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 1t.
. "Plain stealing" he growled, and
then he stared at Mrs. Devon in open
mouthed amazement. "What'd you
bring 'em back for?" he questioned.
Edith paid no attention to Doctor
Johns query but addressed her hus-
band.
"Uriah, now you went and done 1t
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, you" 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 1t. Hastily he ran over the sit.
uation, and 1t appeared to him as hope
| less as possible, but five thousand dol
lars was q good thing for man to
have, whatever his position. If Mrs.
+; Curtis claimed the money, her connec-
/ tion 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,
i "and 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 1t, John" she
screamed. TITS mine. Give 1t 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
pute.
you give 1t to, me, didn't you,
ma'am?" asked Uriah, roughly.
didn't your
Eyes, suppose I did," she acknowl.
edged. "'But you haven't done what you
said you would"
"'Twasn't my fault" Uriah grum.
bled. IF that fool of son of yours
hadn't butted in and shot me, I'd tax.
en- Tony like bargained to-"
/, Then Doctor Paul interposed, and
a few questions sternly put and cate.
A =