Graham guardian., 1921-02-18
wv Romunco OF the Storm Countrq

apprehension. He questioned the girl
time after time, asking her II she felt
well. II there was anything she wanted,
but she always replied IN the negative
One day after they had had their
dinner, he sat looking at her curiously.
She was close to the window reading
a book, when he caused her to look up
by calling her name
run downstairs, Tony DEAR" he
went on, "and tell my brother to come
up here before office hours, will you,
honeyT
The girl rose, laying aside her book.
She dreaded venturing into Mrs. Cur
It's presence and siiivered when she
remembered the critical Katherine who
looked her over with supercillous tole-
ration whenever they happeped TO
meet. But she made no complaint and
went slowly downstairs.
The dining room door was closed, but
the sound OF voices from within told
her the family was at dinner. She
opened the door slowly and stepped
inside. For one moment her vision
was obscured by the fright that sud.
denly took possession Of her. AS the
blur cleared from her eyes, she saw
John Pendlehaven smiling at her. Then
a sharp ejaculation from some one else
swung her gaze from the doctors face,
and II settled cn--Philip MacCauley
She went extremely pale and put out
her hand to grasp something for sup.
port as II she were going to fall. She
saw him rise up slowly. an expression
OF amazement and relief going across
his face She smiled, but what a weary
little smile II was and how full Of
pleading, as II she were silently beg
ging him to forgive her for some deed
she'd done.
John Pendlehsven gazed at the two
young people. and then he too got to
his feet.
"Phillp," he said abruptly, "this is
Tonnibei Devon. She's Pauls com.
panlon. We have"
Philip interrupted the speaker by
his sudden bound around the table.
''Tony Devon, little Tony" he cried.
81 thought, oh, I thought you were
dead. thought I'd lost you forever"
A noise fell from Katherine's lips,
and Mrs. Curtis stumbled to her feet.
$50 you know her too, Philip" she
snarled with a hasty glance at her
pallid daughter. n thought we'd kept
her we'll out OF youY way. SO you've
played the sneak while eating bread and
butter In my house, miss" she blurted
at Tony. SVEN, IT'S what one might
have expected Of you--you huzzy."
"Motheri" gasped Katherine, as Ton
nibel snatched her hands from Philip.
"Kathie, you needn't mother mel"
cried Mrs. Curtis, blind with rage.
EITHER she goes away or do. won't
stay In the house with a common
sneak--a common
Sarah, sit down." thundered John
Pendlehaven. 'Don't speak another
such word or"
Tony was at the Doctors side be-
fore he could finish his threat.
II didn't sneak" she said, looking up
at him. "Oh, pleass--please believe
me-"
THAT she didn't" cried Philip, COM
Ing to her side. "Cousn John, I've
known Tony Devon ages, and didn't
even know she was in this house." He
turned his flashing eyes upon Mrs Cur
tis, who was weeping Historically.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself,
Cousin Sarah," he went on, "to use
such language to perfectly nice little
girl. Why, you've Just about broken
her heart"
His voice had sunk to a passionate
whisper. His eyes misted In youthful
struggle to control his Joy. and-and
at the sight Of him. Katherine lost her
wits entirely.
"Who and what have we been har-
boring in this house. Cousin John2'
she shrieked In high thin voice, strug-
Cling to her feet. "A gutter rat, lit
tie snake, loose girl"
Each word, brought out with greater
vehemence and passion than the one
before, struck the listeners dumb. In
shame-faced misery. Tonnibel sank to
the floor, dropping her head into her
hands.
"Oh, no, I'm net that" she walled.
MY mummy never lived In the gutter |;
she never did. was poor, awful
poor"
"Poorl" exclaimed Katherine. you're
worse than poor. ! suppose you've
Wheedled phiIIn this Eame wav Won