Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-19

V looked sharply at the two
| 4 young women who were sit
ting at her feet. She had the
air of a queen to whom homage was due
and demanded. She was an auStere old
| woman with a hooked nose and high
| forehead and her mouth closed in
straight, stubborn line. No one knew
| lust how old Miss Orvilla was nor did
! hey even dare mention the passing
Years In her presence. She was very
wealthy and had bought life rather
! than won IT, No gentle method had she
used In dealing with people. She paid
! a. she went and demanded fun return
! Tor her money. She got just what she
| paid for--no more and no less. AS
Young girl, however, she had loved one
| man and he proving false To her. she
had closed her heart TO all softer emo
lions and looked with disfavor ON all
love affairs Family ties meant nothing
to her only as they added 10 the exalted
opinion she had for herself. No one
loved her, but she was Sd immensely
wealthy that not one OF her relatives
dared 10 cross her. II one of her kin
went astray the whole family trembled
because her threat was If they dis
pleased her her money would 60 TO
found a hospital for homeless cats She
was the busoear OK her relatives, Her
nearbys and distant cousins even sew
eral times removed bowed before her
august will She had fairly spoiled the
lives of three generations Of her kin.
To-day she had ordered into her pres
snce these two young women, daughters
Of two OF her cousins. The girls had
come in fear and trembling. for well
they knew that Aunt Orvilla had some
tfirc Oh her mind which was not go
iaAn tn hn MI s1f m n
rackei their brains In speculation and
at the appointed time they had APP
peared In agony of spirit for foar they
might do the wrong thing and so cut
of their particular branch of the FAM
ily from a share in the old womans
money.
Nowhere in all the world could
iovelier locking pair of girls be found
than these cousins. Betty Walch and
Janet Wales we're, as old Hannah. Miss
Orvilla's maid. ushered them into the
old Eoman's presence. Betty was all
that her name might imply. plump,
eyes. Fer pretty head was a perfect
mass of bobbed curlS. which fairly rip
pied over her head in riot of golden
ringlets. She was dressed In simple
dress of blue linen, which seemed to
exactly match her eyes. She was 10.
Janet was of O different type. Her hair
was rich Furnished red. which con-
cealed depths that locked almost black
at times. She was tall and stately and
had the wonderful skin that goes with
that particular shade of hair She was
even more beautiful than Betty. for her
beauty commanded. Janet was 30. The |
two girls were perfect foil for each |
other
A. 49, %.,.I ~~,.1, ,,x@,,.,s s,,,,n - o., %H@
chair in which Miss Orviila was seated |
the old woman raised her lorgnette and |
gare them a long and appraising stare. |
Then with a stately gesture she mo- |
toned for them to be seated on the lit |
tie footstool at her feet.
All" she said n In biting voice. so |
your parents thought best to let you |
come at my" she paused a moment |
request. But both girls felt that she |
had intended saying, command" in |
stead. You" she said. pointing her /
finger at Janet. "are all Cramer. and / |
hope you have fine spirit and win APP |
preciate what am about to tell you. |
And you" she said. pointing to little |
Betty. who had grown white and pink |
by turns under the old woman's sharp |
glance, ARE like your fathers people |
and not at all to my liking, I assure |
JIM DGs Ao AsAtsEAs tuu HAY OFCICOtlS I
that If you obey me-" and In a voice |
that was as cold as steel the old
woman proceeded to unfold her plan. |
She said she had picked the two |
girls as possessing all the good looks |
of the several branches of the family, |
and II they would agree to her propo-
sition and follow implicitly her direc-
ton and not cross her in any way she |
would divide her great wealth equally |
between them. As evidence OF good |
faith the girls were to wear the rings |
she would presently place on their |
fingers, and she offered for their in |
spection two wonderful Tings-one a |
large adiamond and one q big black |
opal surrounded by diamonds.
The girls were fairly dazzled by the |
wonderful gems. Janet uttered a quick /
little gasp OF admiration, but Betty |
simply sat quietly on her little foot |
stool. with her blue eyes fixed In a |
fascinated stare at the ugly old woman |
Nov. girls" said Miss Oryilla, Il |
wish you to spend the greater part of |
your time in the house with me, so