The daily Alaskan., 1921-03-15

treSs Us she had to his brother. "Please don't ask me"
 That her mother was dead she firm ly believed. This she did tell the doc tor between many sobs and tears.
 "Ill never see her ever any mOre," she told him tremulouSly. And If you'll let me- I'll live here forever and forever and take care of Doctor Paul"
 "My brother can't get along without you dcar," he said, deeply touched. If you had seen how he grIeved last night, you wouldn't have made that remark"
 q know he likes me" said the girl, signing. "Ond love him. Why, love him"
 She searched the mans face and caught his smile.
 Better than you do me?" he came In with.
 "Yes." said Tonnibel, honestly, but you next" Then she thought of Philip, of the hours he had held her against his breast, of the kiss in the mornings dawn, and she fell into a bashfuI silence.
 When Doctor Pcndlehaven told Mrs. Curtis that Tony had returned, her face drew down in u Sulky frOwn.
 But we needn't care" Katherine said artcrward, "ShC doesn't bother us much. For my part can't see how Cousin Paul stands her."
 "John says Pnul almost died last night" took up Mrs. Curtis. "I sup pose shc's one of the things we've got to stand in u house run by an old bachelor and a grtcving wldower."
 "To say nothing of a father with daughter lost somewhere in the world," supplemented Katherine.
 "Thcrc's no danger of Caroline'S re- turning after all these years" said Mrs. Curtis. "If-if-th0t girl hadn't come, Paul wouldn't have lived long. John told me so himself. l almost hoped that"
 That he'd dfc?" interrupted Kath- eriue. maliciouSly. "WelI, 10 be truth full have wished it many times. Cousin John would have to think of somebody else then. Perhaps he'd turn hls attention to you, mother darling"
 He won't while Paul lives" sighed Mrs. Curtis. "I don't know just what 10 do. I've thought Of every Conceiv- able way 10 got that girl out of the house. and John foreStalls me every time"
 I'm glad Philip hasn't seen her" remarked Katherine. "Ie's just the religious maudiiu kind who would fall for nn appealing face like hers" Mrs. Curtis made Gu impatient gesture, and Katherine proceeded, I've cant deny she is appealing, mamma. even If We hate her. And God knows lOathc her so could straugle her with these two hands" She held up cIenched fin gers, then relaxed them and laughed bitterly. Heavens! What's the use of putting our heads against a stone wall? Give me a cigarette, my dear Sarah. Philip won't be here un- Ill night, and l can get rid of the odOr before that"
 Meanwhile upstairs Tony Devon was fast getting back to her normal self. The blessed assurance she had that she was needed by her sick friend lifted her spirits. She grievCd lnw0rdly for her mother. but Shuddered when she thought of her father. Now all ties were cut between them. She had no doubt but that both Uriah and Reggie thought she was dead in the lake. She hoped they did Shed never see either one of them again.
 She was sitting thinking deeply when Paul Pendlehayen spoke to her. Little dear" said he, reaching out his hand toward her, "come over a minute. I want to talk to you" TonnIbrl went to hlm instantly, as she always did when he called her.
 "You will promise me something" Y" he insisted, as his hot hand clasped hers. Irony, don't eo out again like you did yesterday. l shan't be able to 1. stand it if you do!"
 TonnibeI's mind flashed to Philip. She felt sure he would go to the cor ner of the lake every day to meet her, as he had gone to the canal boat
 Yet as she gazed into the implOring eyes of her. friend, she had no heart to deny him his wish.
 'I'm selfish, perhaps" the man went on, "but, Tony dear, if you want to go out, there's lots of cars in the garage. and horses in the stable. Won't you promise mel"
 Tony thrust the memory of Philips face from her mind. She put the wish to be in his arms again, to feel his warm lips once more on hers behind her. and tremblIngly smiled In ac- quiesCence.
 "I promise" she said in low voice, but a sob prevented her from saying anything more.