The Adair County news., 1921-01-19


can't be greater than the one you
made over two years ago when you
took poor little me into your home"
she asserted.
HIS hand fell lovingly npon her
curly head as though in benediction.
They both lapsed into long
silence. the girls dreamy eyes fixed
on space, and the man gazing at her
shining head
Tony" he calculated at length.
g'i,nre was something in his voice as
L. pronounced her name that dis
4 cd her revery instantly.
Yes" she breathed. "Yes. what is
~.
Tendlehaven cleared his throat
II would never have believed that
anyone could have wormed her way
into my heart as you have" he told
her. SLOW would-how would you
like me for your fatherg"
Tony tried to speak but, seeing he
li"h something else to add, waited ex-
rcctantly.
Once, as you know" went on the
wv wi Idu q AAtliC gil VI lug Onllf
I'uf the years have been so long and
81 many since she was taken away,
feel shan't have her again in this
verld."
TOny's dark head dropped against
rs knee In silent sympathy.
Gould you think of me as your IA
tir- dear?" he said after an emotion
a S:lrnce.
I'm not fit for that" sighed Tony.
80. no, not that. come from peo-
r. who are not your kind, Cousin
Ta"l. You know that! Everybody
G.-,:! Then I'm not so good as you
tiaT'Z am. First of all / haven't al
VS. told you the truth"
so my brother told me-" remarked
I'"-tOr Paul. Long ago ne took me
ir:O his confidence about the poison in
r,y medicine. I've watched you for
to years, Tony, and it seems to me
tint know every secret of your soul.
Tin sure you love me, dear child. I'm
going TO adopt you legally for my
daughter. After this Tn your father,
end ! give warning to my Captain
MaeCauiey that if he tries to take you
from me. he's going to have some fight
or his hands. From now or. I'm not
Cousin Paul. | am-what?"
"My father" gulped Tony. 1T
seems as if couldn't stand so much
happiness. And if you're my father,
that makes Cousin John"
"Your uncle" laughed a voice from
the door. $50 Paul has told you. has
he. little girl? Well, Tony, you
wouldn't have slept & wink one night
if you'd heard our argument about
you. We spent several hours wran
Cling which of us should adopt you.
said should because saw you first
ard Paul"
saved me, Tony" interrupted Paul
'Nnw l think the family had better
kr,w of our changed arrangements"
raul Pendlehaven acted as spokes
NJ when Mgs Curtis G!:d her daugh
ter, Katherine. had been summoned II
tie library. lie told them very grave
Iy that 6s his will now stood, hi:
brother, John, and his cousin, Sarah
we're the benefciaries of It. Mrs. Cur
lis smiled at him and arranged the
Ia:-c ruffles around her neck.
You've always been most gener
OTIS, Paul DEAR" she -simpered.,
But now" went on the doctor, pay
tag no heed to the lady's remark, "Oul
households going to have a mistress
Eath, rine lifted her chin from tn,
palm Of her hand, and Mrs. Curtis
straighi"neh m. Were her ambitions
going in be realized after all? Wa
II Paul who was going to put her II
her ri=l full placer The smile broad
0aed o.. her lips, and she sank bacl
witt 8 happy sigh. She had to ad
NIT Cousin Paul looked very hand
some, yes, even handsomer than Cou.
sin John. What a fool she had been
not to have caught him sooner.
The woman you put at the head OF
your home will be most fortunate and
happy, dear Paul." she murmured.
81 hope So" returned PendlehaTen
and Doctor John pulled at the corners
Of his mouth to keep back a malicious
grin.
I'm going to adopt Tony Devon
Doctor Paul had only time enough tc
make this statement when Mrs. Cur
It's jumped to her feet.
"You couldn't do thatT she cried
"That would be wicked, Paul, abso
Iutely wicked! Oh God, don't dc
thatw
Without needing in the slightest his
Cousins bitter. ejaculation, Paul Pen
dlehaTen picked up box that lay a
his elbow. With much ceremony ht
opened it and took out an exquisite
pearl necklace.
81 do moi need to remind any o.
yc.i. he said turning his eyes from
hi, brother TO his two white-faceC
cousins, 'that these belonged to M!
dear wife have always considered
them the property of her daughte
too. That is the reason, Katherine
WHY I've always refused your reques
to wear them. But now i have |
daughter" He turned smiling eye