San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-16
Begin Here TOuly.

Sallie Peck, employee of the Fair
Deal Five & Ten, quarrels with her
policeman sweetheart, Michael Cur
tbs. That night Sallie goes into the
ward to take down washing for
Ma Brennan, with whom she lives.
A crash shakes the earth and some
thing strikes Sallie a blow on the
head.
When she regains consciousness, the
girl finds herself in strange surround
ings. A French maid calls her Alva
Copeland and Madame Copeland, a
tall, richly gowned woman. claims her
as her step-daughter. Sallie, meets
Cousin Wheeler, who makes love to
her. She resolves to solve the mys-
terry of why she is being substituted
for Alva Copeland.
Salle tells the Copelands she Is
wise to their game and that, if they
pay her enough. she will play hand
for them. The Copelands accept Sal
lies offer. Now go on with the story.
"Wheeler," Mrs. Copeland came
straight to the point, "Alva has
asked me when you are going to pre-.
sent her with an engagement ring
Sloat stared and flushed.
IL wasn't aware that we were TAX
ing this little arrangement quite so
seriously-!" he. began stiffly, but
Bellows laughed.
THE young lady's request is per-
fectly in order! l see she means to
be thorough in every detail of her
part and that is good sign! So our
agreement is ratified, my dear?"
He held out his hand to Sallie and
although she shrank inwardly she
placed hers within it.
'For fifty thousand? Yes. Mr..
Bellows. and I'll play fair. You said
I wasn't to ask any questions but
isn't there something you want to
wise me up to now, before the old
lady gets back?"
Mrs. Copeland gasped and Sloat
swore softly but Bellows merely
drew his brows together and repeat
ed:
Tho old lady?"
"My grandmother" Sallic explained
with an air of impatience. Isn't she
the one we're all pulling off this trick
for?"
The lawyer brought his hand down
sharply on the arm of his chair.
Young woman. what do you know
OF this" he demanded. "Who told
you-?"
Mrs. Copeland and Cousin
Wheeler did yesterday" replied Sal
lie. i've got grandmother who
can't last longer than six months.
She hasn't seen me since | was a
baby but she wants TO now and that's
why | was taken out of that convent
and brought all the way back from
Switzerland Now today I'm asked
to take this Alva's place for time
that may end any day and won't be
longer than six months. 1t semcd to
me to mean while the old lady lived
and I kind of connected up the two,
but that's none of my business; I'll
he Alva Copeland to anybody you say
for fifty grand ~
Young woman" Bellows eyes
twinkled. 81 wish l could have you
in my office when your work here is
over; we'd make money! Your grand
mother. Mrs. Stanton Copeland, is
very anxious that her dead daugh-
ter's son. Mr.. Wheeler Sloat. shall
marry his cousin Alva. She will die
happy il she sees you and believes
that you two are engaged, and We
wish to please her. Do l make my
self clcar?'
Sallie laughed.
I'll say you do! I'm wise to why
Alva had to be produced even if you
dug her out of n wreck. but it's all
right with me rs long as L get mine J"
'Then we will consider it settled"
the lawyer rose. You will only see
your grandmother for few minutes
at a time and Mrs. Copeland will
coach you in every word to say
As he took his leave Theresc ap-
pearcd to say that the doctor had
come to dress the wound in Miss
Copcland's head and Salhe followed
her. leaving her nelly adopted rela-
tives to discuss her as they would.
She shivcred slightly. remember
ing DR.. Qualters' implacably hard