Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-05-18

weakly.
Child" lnterposed Doctor Paul
you'll shield no one else. l shudder
to think chat might have happened II
your mother hadn't come here for her
husband"
His tones were low and stern,
though much moved.
His eye caught sight Of the black
bag at the same time his brothers. did.
Doctor John opened it and. amid an
appalling silence, took box after box
out of II.
'Plain stealing" he growled. and
then he stared at Mrs. Devon in Open
mouthed amazement. "What'd you
bring 'em back for?' he questioned.
Edith paid no attention to Doctor
Johns query but addressed her hus-
band
"Uriah, now you went and done It
again! !" She turned to Doctor Paul.
you got eyerythin' back, give me my
man. lie didn't know what he was
doin', sir"
'Then he'll be taught lesson, the
same as Reginald will, madam" re-
joined the doctor. "Ever since your
daughter came to us, she's been in
dread OF your husband, he. sether.
Once he was sent away, and she had
peace. This time he won't come back
in hurry"
Doctor John reached into the drawer
of the table near him and produced
the roll of bills that Philip had found
on Devon the night before.
"How about this, your" he inquired
Of Devon. "Whered this come from
before 1t was in your pocket? While
we're at 1t, we might as well clear up
everything"
The center Of interest, Uriah Devon
shifted uneasily in his chair. He had
discovered the loss Of the money but
had not dared TO make any inquiry
about it. Hastily he ran over the sit
uation. and 1t appeared to him as hope
less as possible, but FIVE thousand dol
lars was a good thing for man TO
have. whatever his position. If Mrs.
Curtis claimed the money, her connec-
ton with him would come out, and
that might make things easier for him
II she didn't, he'd have the cash any
how
That's mine, mister" he grunted
"and didn't steal 1t, neither. Give II
to me-"
The same considerations had beer
chasing through Mrs. Curtis mind
and, In the general cataclysm that she
saw before her. she concluded the
money might be very necessary for
her and her children.
! Don't let him have 1t, john" she
screamed. ats mine. Give 1t to me"
Doctor John arose and stood be.
tween Urlah and Mrs. Curtis. holding
the roll of bills in his hand. Amidst
the closest attention of the rest of the
group. he looked from one to the other
while the claimants INDUCED in dis.
pute.
You give it to me. didn't you,
ma'am?' asked Uriah, roughly
Didn't your
Yes, l suppose did" she acknowl.
edged. "but you haven't done what you
1 said you would"
"tTwasnt my fault" Uriah grum,
hled. IF that fool Of son OF yours
hadn't butted in and shot me, I'd TAX
en- Tony like l hargained to-"
Then Doctor Paul interposed, and
a few questions, sternly put and cate
gorically answered, discovered the
whole conspiracy between Mrs. Curtis
her children, and Urlah Devon.
John Pendlehaven, whose anger hat
been steadily rising. suddenly stepped
forward and brushed his brother aside
"I'u take charge of this now, Paul.
he stated. You're too id easy
Here's where you treacherous snake,
go to JAIL he included Uriah and tn,
Curtises ina sweep Of his hand. ''Ev
cry one of yOu!" He turned savagel,
upon Reginald. "You little pup" h,
charged swiftly. ''you tried to poiSol
Paul. didn't you?" He crossed 10 hi
side and lowered over him with up
raised fist. own up, d-n you. Didn'
yong"
Reginald covered, slipped out Of hi
chair and attempted to shield himsel
| IN Mrs. Curtis arms. who leaned pro
tectingly over him.
IL was drunk" he excused him
self. 'and | thought" he whimpere,
TO his mother, Il thought you wante
me to-"
Then Edith projected herself int
the excitement again She glanced a
/ Uriah. her eyes melting with tender
ness. arose and stood looking at tn
Pendlehaven brothers.
AIR Paul she said in low voict
, don't you remember mer"
, Paul looked her over with no sig
Of recognition, and his brother turne
away from Reginald TO observe thi
new development.
NO" said Paul, and he shook hi
| head
Never mind! That don't matter
was the reply, but I'll make a dicke
: With YOU. You give me my man fo
; keeps. and III give YOU your cir
: Caroline. I'm Edith NIindllw
: You could have heard u pin drop, 5
deep was the silence, All were lool
+ ing nc the haggard woman, facing Pa,
4 pendlehaven. who was rising unsteat
( lily.
'Gsye me my man. she repeate,