The Hope pioneer., 1921-03-17
CHAPTER XIV.
Ia WIN ls CHANGED.

1eHuleudVen nome, Inc gTeAteE part
of which she had spent in. school, had
brought about many changes. Paul
Pendlehaven had taken his place
among the worlds workers, but this
does not say that he did not still long
for the child who had gone from his
life eighteen years before.
Mrs. Curtis was no nearer giving
Cousin John to Katherine as a father
than she ever had been, and Ithaca
had caught no sight of Reginald
Brown since he had fled from 1t with
the notion that he might follow Uriah
Devon behind the prison bars Philip
had carried on. his wonderful work.
'ifving in the joyous letters he re-
ceived from Tony and spending his
spare time in answering them.
One morning Tony came to Paul
Pendlehaven. smiling and blushingay
girlish, and he motioned her to lit
tie stool at his feet.
Darling" he began. in. a moved
tone. II sent for you because I've
come to perhaps the most important
NSSASAVlA VI NY WuOlc lAIc.
Tony glanced up at him wondering
ly. He appeared solemnly sober and
looked as II he hadn't slept.
"Tf 1t affects me, Cousin Paul. It
can't be greater than the one you
made over two years ago when you
took poor little me into your home"
she asserted.
His hand fell lovingly upon her
curly head as though in benediction.
They both lapsed into long
silence, the girls dreamy eyes fixed
on space. and the man gazing at her
shining head.
"Tony," he calculated at slength.
There was something in his voice as
ne pronounced her name that dis.
PEELED her revery instantly.
"Yes," she breathed. Eyes, what is
it?" .;3,
Pendlehaven cleared his throat.
Il would never have believed that
anyone could have wormea her way
into my heartssas you have" he told
her. "Row would-how would you
like me for your father?"
Tony tried to speak but, seeing he
had something else to add, waited ex-
pectantly.
"once, as you know" went on the
doctor. II had little girl of my own.
but the years have been so long and
20 many since she was taken awav,
! feel shan't have her again in this
world" -
Tony's dark head dropped against
his knee in silent sympathy.
"Could you think Of me as your fa-
ther, dear?" he said after an emotion
al silence.
! I'm not fit for that" sighed Tony.
mo. no, not that. I come from peo-i
pie who are not your kind, Cousin
Paul. You know that! Everybody
does! Then I'm not SO good as Won
think am. First of all haven't al-
ways told you the truth"
$50 my brother told me-" remarked
Doctor Paul. "Long ago he took me
into his confidence about the poison in
my medicine. I've watched you for
two years, Tony, and it seems to me
that know every secret of your soul.
Tn sure you love me, dear child. I'm
going to- adopt you legally for my.
daughter. :. After this I'm your father.
And I give. warning to my Captain
MacCauley that If he tries to take YOU
from me, he's going to have some fight
on his hands. From now on, I'm not
Cousin Paul. am-what? -"
"My father" gulped Tony. = 1T
seems as If couldn't stand so much
happiness. And If you're my father,
that makes Cousin John"
"Your uncle" laughed voice from
the door. $50 Paul has told you, has
he, little girl? Well, Tony, you
wouldn't have slept wink one night
II you'd heard our argument about
you. We spent several hours wran-'
Cling which Of us should adopt you. I
said should because l saw you first.
and Paul"
Has the prior right because YOU
saved me, Tony" interrupted Paul.
SNOW think the family had better
know of our changed arrangements
Paul Pendlehaven acted as spokes-
man when Mrs. Curtis and her daugh.
ter, Katherine, had been summoned to
the library. He told them very grave
ly that as his will now stood. his
brother, John, and his cousin. Sarah.
6ere the beneficiaries Of it. Mrs. Cur
tis smiled q him and arranged the
lace raffles around her neck.
y You've always been most gener.
ons, Paul DEAR" she simpered..
I BE now" went on the doctor, pay.
ing no heed to the lady's remark, "our
hOusehold's going to have mistress" !"
katherine lifted her chin from the
palm Of her hand. and Mrs. Curtis
Strengthened up. Were her ambitions
going to be realized after all?. Was
sc Paul who was going to put her In
her rightful place? The smile broad.
ened on her lips, and she sank back
With happy sigh. She had to ad-
init Cousin Paul looked very hand.
some. yes, even handsomer than Con.