The Hope pioneer., 1921-03-17


Of his mouth to Keep back q malicious
grin. Il:
"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
that" k,.ssSS
Without needing in the slightest his
Cousins bitter ejaculation, Paul PEN
dlehayen picked up box that lay at
his elboW. With much ceremony he
opened 1t and took out an exquisite
pearl necklace,
II do not need to remind any of
you," he saids turning his eyes from
his brother to his two. white-faced
cousins, ''tliht these belonged to ,my
dear wife. I 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 I 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 i gasp came from
katherine.
II 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 uncle?" 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 Tom
nibel Devon to his side, and, when he
had clasped the Jewels, around her
neck, he lifted her 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, chow happy I
am! It isn't the pearls,
though they're simply great, but it's
that have some real people," She
turned a flushed and radiant face to
each man. Somebody that's my very
own. My mothers dead, Ind my IA
ther@"
"Is in prison.. snapped Mrs. Curtis,
vindictively. 'sTm wondering WHIT
he'll say to all this when he comes
home."
"His opinion won't. make. any Differ
ence to u.s." Paul Pendlehayen stated
coolly. "He has forfeited every right
to any claim on Tony"
b "Hideous!" exclaimed Mrs. Curtis,
and "Well, I never" dropped from
katherine.
"And," went on Doctor Paul. re-
lentlessly. for he knew the barbs that
We're 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
tbs faded from the room, carrying
with them bitter humiliation and
nursing outraged feelings.
'It's ALL, 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?" thrust
back her mother. aren't you crying
as IL your heart would break? Il tell
you tears"
"Oh Lordy, tears! What good do
they dog" came sharply. Here we
sAAS "ASAsOuS q AOlUAVs WASnOul u JlU1UH1
That interloper Gill see we go the
moment Paul gets out those papers
oh, what shall we do?"
Il wish that man-her 1ather, I
iiean-was out Of JAIL" unused Mrs.
Curtis. Il 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. snow. lis
ten to me-. Reggie confided in me
before he left that he really was fond
Of that girl, and If Oh, yuamma, I've
thought of 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-