The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-02-07


die, II it's fair question:"
"In the year 1912. Ny father was
away when she died."
ON to the war, suppose"
Yes" said the young man steadily.
ON to the war;" he lied, still staring
out of the window. II was left with
my grandparents when he went off to
make his fortune in this new country.
1t was not until 1 was fairly well
grown that we heard that he was mars
ried to woman named Rachel Car
ter"
Later the young man called at the
office of Mr.. Cornell. the lawyer who
had charge of his. affairs. He had
come to Lafayette prepared to de-
nounce Rachel Carter, to drive her in
shame and disgrace from the town. If
necessary. Now he was faced by
most unexpected and staggering stu
alton.
To denounce Rachel Carter would be
to deliberately strike cruel, devastat-
ing blow at the happiness and peace
of an innocent person-NiOla Gwyn, his
own half-sister. word from him and
that lovely girl, serene in her beliefs,
would be crushed for life. The whole
scheme of life had been changed for
him in the twinkling of an eye, as it
were. He could not wreak vengeance
upon Rachel Carter without destroying
Viola Gwyn-and the mere thought of
that caused him to turn cold with re-
pugnance. How could he publish Ra-
chel Carter's infamy to the world with
that innocent girl standing beside her
to receive and sustain the worst Of the
shock? Impossiblel Viola must be
spared-and so with her, Rachel Car
ter!
In the course of his interview with
the lawyer, from whom he had decided
to withhold much that he had meant
TO divulge, he took occasion to inquire
into the present attitude of Rachel
Carter, or Gwyn, as he reluctantly
spoke Of her, toward him, an open and
admitted antagonist.
We'll" said Cornell. shaking his
head, Il don't believe you will catch
her asking any favors of you. She has
laid down her arms, so to speak. but
that doesn't mean she intends to be
friendly. She considers herself cheat
ed, and that's all there is to it. 1 doubt
very much whether she will even speak
to you. Mr.. Gwynne. She is strange
woman. and a hard one to understand.
She fought desperately against your
coming here at all. One of her PROMO
sitions was that she should be allowed
TO buy your share of the estate, If such
a transaction could be arranged, you
VIII remember. You declined to con-
slider it. As regards her present atti-
tude, think she'll let you alone If you
let her alone"
My sister has asked me to come
up TO the house to see her this after
noon," said Kenneth.
The lawyer looked surprised. '.Is
that so? Well," with a puzzled frown.
I don't quite understand how she
came to do that. was under the i'm
preston that she felt about az bitterly
toward you as her mother does. In
fact. she has said some rather nasty
things about you. think you will be
quite safe in going up there today, 10
far as Mrs. Gwyn Is concerned. She
will not appear on the scene, am con-
ndent. You will not come in contact
with her. You say that she has put
some Of her furniture at your disposal,
but she doubtless did 80 on the advice
Of her lawyer. You must not forget
that your father, in his will, left half
OF his personal effects to you. She is
Just smart enough to select in advance
the part that she il willing for you to
have, feeling that you will not be cap
tious about It,"
II have no desire to exact any
thing Of"
Quite SO. quite So" broke in the
lawyer. But she could not be expect
ed to know that. / suspect she IL con-
siderably worried about Viola. Your
half-sister is being rather assiduously
courted by a young man named La
pelle. Mrs. Gwyn does not approve of
him. She is strait-laced and-er-pu-
ritanical."
"Puritanical, ehT said Kenneth,
with a short laugh that Mr.. Cornell to-
tally misinterpreted.
Barry isn't exactly what you would
call sanctimonious." admitted the law
yer, with a dry smile. THE worst of
1t is, I'm afraid Viola is In love with
him."
His client was silent for 4 moment
rejecting. Then he arose abruptly and
announced:
Il agree with you. Mr.. Cornell.
Will 60 up to see her this afternoon. |
bear her no grudge-and after all. she
ID my sister. Good-day, sir. 1 shall
give myself the pleasure Of calling in
to see you tomorrow"
Ito be Continued)
Down.