The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1921-02-03
CHAPTER XII.


"I hate everybody in the world"
snapped the girl.
"Whewl That's some hate" laugh
ed Reggie.
Katherine threw herself down on
the divan.
Worst Of any one I hate Paul Pen
dlehaven and next-well, next / hate
Cousin john" she said between her
teeth. 81 wish, oh, how I wish Paul
would die tonight. I'd almost like to
kill him myself. II II weren't for him,
we'd all have money, and If 1t weren't
for that girl with him. he'd die"
swell, I might cheer you up little
II told you that perhaps before long
your illustrious Cousin Paul will be
under the sod"
The girl sat up and stared at him.
Don't be a fool, Reggie" she said
with a sneer. "Cousin John says Paul
will be able to 60 out Of the house very
soon. that by next week he can go
anywhere he likes"
Reginald got up lazily. He said
something under his breath that made
his sister struggle to her feet. She
stood a moment and gazed with star
tied eyes at the door that had closed
Reggie on the other side Of II.
"Now, what'd he mean by thatT'
she wondered DULY. "What did he
mean by saying that II he could help
II Cousin Paul would never drive again.
I wonder Just what he meant by that!"
Reggie knew what he meant by his
words If Katherine didn't. He intend
ed to put DR.. Paul out Of the way,
thus helping his mother as well as
himself. He wanted to get away from
Ithaca, to leave the town that always
put him In mind Of Tonnibel Devon.
The least wind that blew brought back
tie awful moment when he and Dev3r
had discovered the girl had drowned
herself, and because Of his tormenting
conscience he drank more heavily ev-
cry day. After leaving his sister he
went to his room where he filled HIM
self up with brandy. The drunken
he got the more dim grew the picture
of Tony's pale, terrified face.
He slept soddenly for an hour or so
and only awoke when servant raped
at the door and told him dinner was
ready. He was too Ill to get up and
lay staring hopelessly about the room.
Then suddenly out Of the shadows In
the corner fioated Tonnibel Devon. He
groaned and turned slowly In the bed.
Instead of getting better he was get
ting worse. The ghost OF Devon's
daughter was haunting him In every
one Of his sober hours. He hated
Ithaca and every one in 1t. II Dr..
Paul were dead
He sat up, his head whirling. He
crawled to the floor, went to the bath
room and soaked his head In cold wa
ter. Then he sent q servant for q
pot Of strong coffee.
So happy was DR.. Paul to have Ton
nibel back that he insisted on sitting
up to his dinner.
1T was a long hour, my dear" he
said, smiling. But I'm glad you went
out. He's q nice fellow, Philip. My
brother and have often wished our
young cousin would pattern after him
but II does seem as II nothing can be
done with him. Even his mother hal
no influence over him."
i've never seen him." stated Ton
nibel.
Hes scarcely ever at home" an
swered DR.. Paul, "and the worst Of
It is, he gives no explanation as tt
where he goes"
Then after dinner as usual Tonnibel
| with Gussie Piglet In her arms, reat
from the Bible. The clock struck ter
when she arose softly and began II
| prepare for the night. By the ever
breathing of the man on the bed sh'
knew he was asleep. and as quiet al
a mouse she crept about softly so al
1 not to arouse him. The suite directly
back Of Paul Pendlehaven's had beer
Given to her. She went into her bed
room and made ready to retire. Ther
over her night robe she drew a hgh
kimono.
She turned OF the electric switch
and stood near the window lookinl
out. Her heart sang with gladness
She had but to hearken back to TIT
afternoon to hear a dear voice tellini
her of a great love, love for her, Ton
nibel Devon. How very much she hat
to be thankful forl
i Suddenly she saw the tall tree al
rectly In front Of DR.. Paul's room
shake as II a giant hand were clutch
ing at its roots. How could that be
There wasn't any wind, not even
breeze. Her heart jumped into he
throat as she crept away from tn
window and back into Pendlehaven'
room. The little night lamp glimmere'
dimly above the small table with 1t
load Of medicine glasses. She stoo'
In the shadow and peered through tn
screen. There among the drippin
branches was the quiet figure OF
man.
Her mind went Immediately to he
father, but she put the thought OF hir
away, for the form in the tree wa
much more slender than Uriah Devon'i
DR.. Pendlehaven still slept, his fac
turned toward the wall. and Tonnibt
squatted down At the foot Of the be<