Evening star., 1934-09-08

romancel" With bright face ana
dancing eyes, Mrs. Connell gloated
over the news. Then she said more
soberly. In q lower tone, 'T forgot.
You said he was in q ward. OF course,
In that case, he hasn't anything to
leave. I think that lawyer was re-
sponsible to get you stirred up over .
few paltry dollars"
mo, mother, he really was rich.
Just peculiar. It's over half q million
dollars. what do you think Of that2
Oh, mother. I am so happy. Is Stan
stil in bed? must 60 and tell him."
"T1l go with you," said Mrs. Con-
nell, making ready to get out Of bed.
Mazda hesitated. She did not want
TO hurt her mothers feelings, yet she
was anxious to talk TO Stanley alone.
Now that the possession Of q fortune
had given her the whip hand, she
meant to lay down the law to Stanley
and make him straighten up. She
could not afford to be handicapped by
her mothers presence.
"Give me half an hour with STAN
ley before you come" she begged.
you can join US after you are
dressed"
'Why?" asked Mrs. Connell, suspi-
ciouSly. "You are not going to say
anything mean to your brother, are
you? You are not going to try to boss
him, just because you were lucky
enough to get this windfall? am sure
Stanley has worked and worried
enough. Every one can't be as lucky
as YOU"
Mazda was often astoniShed at the
uncanny way her mother scented any
thing Of a disagreetable nature which
might be moving in Stanleys direc-
ton, but she merely said, "Oh, don't
worry about Stanley" and hurried out
Of the room.
Stanley was not only in bed, but
asleep, and his rumpled head and
sprawled body was at first sight en-
dearing, reminding her Of the many
times in the past she had come into
his room to waken him from the OBJ
livtous sleep of boyhood. Stanley's
was no longer the frank, boyish face 1t
had been; the mouth was slack, there
were uneasy twitchings and contor-
tions Of the muscles, and an unhealthy
puflnesS beneath the eyes. Mazda
shook him with no gentle hand.
what do you wantP Let me alone"
growled Stanley.
At last she aroused him, and he
staggered to the bathroom to put cold
water on his face, but refused to talk
until Charlotte had brought him some
black coffee.
Stanley. you break my heart when
you talk like that" said Mazda, almost
in tears. "I was so happy about the
money because thought 1t would
mean security for us all. You don't
know how have worried when I saw
dads money melt away and no more
In sight"
That's all right. Mazda. I'm all
ways beastly cross In the morning"
"You were right in q way, Stanley.
am willing to give you an allowance.
certainly don't want you to suffer
while have plenty. 1 should expect
you to get job and cut out these idle
vicious habits you have picked up
lately. And would fix 1t so that you
couldn't wheedle mother every time
you got into dificulties. That may
seem hard boiled, Stanley, but think
1t is the only way, and assure you I
will stick to what say"
big hearted Sister!" sneered STAN
ley. These careful, moral souls like
to put the screws on when they get
the chance, don't they? Keep your
dirty money. don't need it. ! am
going to marry woman who has
plenty Of jack, and she won't tie me
down to a nickel week pocket money,
either"
Stanley. you don't mean that ter
rfble Mrs. McIntyre?"
whats wrong with her, I'd like to
know? She's the best friend I ever
had. Don't look like that, Sis. know
she Is older than I am, but I really
like her, and besides, I am sort Of
obligated. You know, that money
got her to put into the Club Espagnol.
She claims she didn't know 1t was on
the wrong side of the law, although
personally I think she had q good
hunch; but anyhow, she was all set
to make 1t plenty hot for me about
that. Now she she will forget it, when
it is all in the family"
1t was the first time MAZDA had
known just what had become of the
money Mrs. Mcintyre had invested
through Stanley. She was aghast at
the knowledge that her brother had
been mixed up in the unsavory busi-
ness and that he was buying Mrs. Nc
Intyre's silence by marriage.
"But. Stanley, there Is no need for
that" she cried. IT will pay back
her money!
"Oh. I don't know" said Stanley.
"Tootsie's not bad old girl. I think
I'd rather get my handout from her
than from you"
(To be continued.)