Licking Valley courier., 1922-03-30

at twelve, In overalls and barefooted,
holding a stick over his head at which
a shepherd dog was jumping.
"Yes, that is Shep and l, Mr.. Sher-
rili. 1t was taken by man who
stopped at the house for dinner one
day r,het liked Shep and wanted a
picture of him; SO he got me to make
Shep Jump, and he took it."
Doesn't it occur to you that II was
your picture he wanted, and that ht
had been sent to get It? / wanted
your yerifcation that these earlier
pictures were Of you, but this last one
Is easily recognizable"
Sheriff. unfolded the third picture;
1t was larger than the others and had
been folded across the middle to get
1t into the envelop Alan leaned for
ward to look at 1t.
"That Is the University of Kansas
football team he said. II am the
second one In the front row; l played
end my junior year and tackle when
[ was senior. Mr.. COrvet-T
"Yes; Mr.. Corvet had these pictures
They came into my possession day be-
fore yesterday, the day after Corvet
disappeared; do not want to tell just
yet how they did that"
Alan's face, which had been flushed
at first with excitement, had gone
quite pale, and his hands, as he
clenched and unclenched them nery-
ously, were cold. and his lips were
very dry. He could think of no pos
sible relationship between Benjamin
Corvet and himself, except one, which
could account for Corvet's obtaining
md keeping these pictures of him
through the years.
n think you know who am" Alan
said. ~
"Y0ushave guessed, II l am not mis-
talxen, that you are Corvet's son."
The color famed to Alan's face for
IN instant, then left II paler than be-
FORE &Isthought 1t must be that way.
he answered; "but you said he had no
'hiidreB."
"Benjamin Corvet and his wife had
no children"
~ thought that was what you
n,eant.- A twinge twisted Alan'u
lace; he tried to control 1t but for a
gpment gould not.
.fDe not >mlsapprehend your father
sheriff. said quietly. II cannot pre-
vent what other people may think
when they learn this; but l do moi
<hare such thoughts with them. There
Is much i'm this cannot understand
hut know that II Is not merely thu
result OF, what others may think IT.
Of "a ,swife In more ports than one
rs you will hear the lakemen put It
What. lies under this is some grea
misadyepture which had changed ant
frustrated all your fathers life."
Sheriff. crossed the room and RAM
for q servant.
II am going to ask you to be m.
guest for a short time, Alan" he un
nounced., II have had your bal
carried to your room; the man vii
show you which one II is"
Alan hesitated; he felt that Sherril
had not told him all he knew-tha
there were some things Sheriff. pun
posely was Withholding from him; bu
he could not force Sheriff. to tell NOR
than he wished; so after an Instant
lrresolutlon. he accepted the dismissal
Sheriff. walked with him, to tn
door, and gave his directions to tn
servant; !. he stood watching, as Ala
and the man went up the stairs. The
he went back and seated himself !
the chair Alan had occupied, and 30
with hands grasping the arms OF tn
chair while he stared into the hre.
He seemed to be considering and d
batting something within himself; an
presently he seemed to come to a d
eislon. He went up the stairs and q
the second floor he went to a frol
room and knocked. Alan's voice to-
him to come In Sheriff. went In an
when he had made sure that the ser
ant was not with Alan, he closed q
door carefully behind him.
Then he turned back to Alan. al
for an instant stood indecisive
though he did not know how to beg
, what he wanted to say. AS he glanc,
down at q key he took from his pock'
his indecislon seemed to receive
rectlon,, and inspiration from 1t; al
Z he put II down ON Alnn's dresser.
I ave brought yOu," he said evenl
. the key to your house."
t Alan gazed at him, bewildered. 'T
J key to my housef
D 40 the house on Astor stree
+ sheriff. confirmed. "Your father dee
: cd the house and Its furniture and
Z Its contents to you the day before
i disappeared. have not the de
d here; 1t came into my hands the d
o before yesterday at the same time
J, got possession Of the pictures Will
: might-or might not, for oil l kn'
I then-.be you. l have the deed dow
J. town and will give It to you. L
n house W yours In fee simple, Civ
you bySyOur father, not bequeathed
you by, him to become your proper
b nfter hts death. He meant by that
s think, even more than the mere
s acknowledgement that he is your fathe
,, THE &C. hnuatlon of this interest
y : and absorbing story of mystery I
y triumph ,9f right, "The Indian Drm
>. will appear in the next Issue VI
e Courier. II you are not already
II subscriber send In your name W