Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-03-18

and slipped up the steps Of the
house.
A little while before, Reggie Brown.
we'll filed up on brandy, had descend
ed to the library to wait for Devon.
II ne hadn't had this thing on. and the
Importance of 1t hadn't weighed on
him all the long day, he'd have gone
to bed, his head ached SO, but his de-
sire to capture Tony Devon kept the
fumes of alcohol from completely be-
fuddllng his brains. Inside the library.
he stood swaying near the door. tap.
ping his pocket from time to time to
make sure he was armed. Then he
stumbled across the room, threw him
self on the dlvan and in another mo-
ment had forgotten In drunken
sleep that there was any such person
In the world as Tonnibel Devon.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Curtis was walking
the floor upstairs. half mad with anx-
iety, and Katherine, In a state of
nerves, was smoking one cigarette az
ter another.
God! When she's gone" broke
forth the girl, "I'll know what happi-
ness means!"
$50 will l." echoed Mrs. Curtis.
"It's almost time for me to go down.
isn't it7 hope that man won't dis
appoint u.s."
"Don't fear about that" sneered
Katherine. "He's even more anxious
than we are. Sos Reggie. but don't
envy you telling Tony her mothers
alive"
II think you might do It." com.
planned Mrs. Curtis with sniffle. "All
the anxiety and worry Of this thing
has fallen on me-"
'That's because you're so clever.
my sweet" retorted Katherine, sarcas-
tically. "Oh. go on down and don't
act his II you were afraid of your own
shadow. Say. Rege was drunk as
anything at dinner"
"Disgustingly so," sighed the moth
er as she went out. II hope to the
high heavens he'll straighten up some
day."
First Mrs. Curtis stole down to the
library. There she found Uriah De-
Won. standing with his hat In his hand.
and. as he Saw her, he made q grim
ming bow.
"where's Rege7" he asked eagerly.
"Upstairs, think" replied Mira
Curtis In a low voice. "He's had too
much to drink. Did you bring your
wifeT"
yep; she's outside" was the mans
answer. "And the kid3 Does she
know Ede's still In the land Of the
livin'?"
mo. but I'll tell her now" returned
Mrs. Curtis desperately. Here's the
i've thousand dollars" She thrust a
roll Of bank notes into his hand. It'll
send Tony right down." ended the
woman and she went swiftly out.
Uriah glanced about the room In
anticipation. He intended not only
to take Tony with him. but every.
thing else Of value he could lay his
hands on. Edith had often described
! the va1uables kept in a wall-safe In
this very room. Mrs. Curtis had no
more than closed the door before. re-
volver in hand. he began his search
An exclamation Of delight almost es-
capped his lips when he discovered the
safe-door was unlocked. He grinned
! at the carelessness Of the rich as he
flung into the black bag the boxes Of
jewelry, completely stripping the safe
| Of its contents. He didn't take time
to look over his haul! That would
come lhrer.
All through the day Tonnibei Devon
had told her Joy over and over to her.
self. Now. almost ready to retire. she
was sitting reading the Bible. It
seemed most appropriate that on this
night she should sing with the Poet
the Psalms Of Thanksgiving.
A knock at the door caused her "a
close the book and put It on the t.
BILE before she called: "Come In"
At the sight Of Mrs. Curtis she rose
to her feet. startled.
"I've good news for you. child
choked the woman. and Tony wen,
forward eagerly.
"Whatr she demanded. us Phil
Up"
SNOW, don't get nervous. my dear
came In Quivering interruption. "Bu'
but you were not correctly inform
ed about your mother. She's-she'f
downstairs"
, A violent emotion overlook the girl
She knew then she had never really
believed what Uriah told her.
my mother" she breathed. hel
eyes deepening in color. my deal
little motherl Oh. let me go to her J.
"She's in the library. This Is q
happy day for you. my dear-for-all
of us. You'd better dress. hadn't
your"
Tonnibel hadn't even heard the las,
words. She fed down the stairs and
into the library, painting for breath
Her cup Of happiness was full to the
brim. now that Edith had come back
to her. She halted, closed the dool
and ran into the room.
"Edie, mummy dearw she called
softly. so overcome she could moi
raise her voice.
Then Uriah Devon stepped from be