Evening star., 1934-04-30

less than $50 ,OOO IN her Dag. SucT
a sum would pay their debts, estab-
lish them in town, and be a COM
Portable nest-egg for the coming Win
ter
Greetings, Simms," she hailed the
dignified servant who answered hel
ring. Look who's here!"
"It's-why-it's Miss Sandran
Simms. who had been in the Reynal
service since the death of his father
in the same position, INDUCED one OF
his rare smiles.
I'm person!" Sandra entered the
dimly lighted hall, tossed her hat to-
ward a Victorian rack. Where's the
Owl?"
1.-THE master l., in his study" Simms
disposed the hat, with a nicely, on the
rack Shall order an extra plate for
lunch?"
Better hold it." Sandra advised
"You can't tell. If you see an odd
looking abbage hurting through these
venerable halls within the next few
minutes. lay eff the extra plate"
I'll beg pardon-Miss Sandra?"
"Imean," Sandra explained solemnly
Ille OWl may give bAiS 5o1N' 49,
which case 1 shall be reduced to the
shame of selling apples in front OF
this opulent domicile. I do hope you'll
buy an apple from me, Simms. You
will. won't you?'
"I don't understand. Miss Sandra.
We have very fine apples. ordered by
the master himself fiom the Hood
River"
Grand. Save me barrel. They'll
make fine peddling Tell the master
he's got mice-relatives-poor rela-
tions-and one of ems waiting to
nibble at him"
When Sandra entered the high
ceilinged spacious, book-lined room
that was Raoul Reynal's study she
contemplated the JOY of being able to
stretch out on the couch facing the
fireplace. and to stay stretched there
the remainder of her life. Her heart
was tripping Dear old Owl. Good
to see him again. Why couldn't she
let him know how her soul warmed TO
his fusty dearness? Why must she
allow her natural emotions to be
snarled by the ignoble nature of her
visit? This man with the tousled gray
thatch. kind eyes peering at her over
pold-rimmed spectacles. was bone OF
her bone, flesh of her flesh. She
loved him.
Hi. OWL" she greeted. And because
she could not stem the flow OF anec-
ton that welled up in her heart, she
swooped across the room, pumped
herself on Raoul Reynal's lap and took
such a stranglehold about his neck
that the elderly gentleman was hard
pressed for breath.
We'll well, WELL" Uncle Raoul
pasped. when he had extricated him.
self from imminent danger OF strangu-
.lation. ITO what do owe the honor
of this visit?'
Sandra's heart skipped beat, then
raced on. Why couldn't she come to
see the Owl because she wanted SC
desperately to see him? Why must
she come with itching palms and des-
picable intention? Gimme, gimme
gimme.
mo honor about it. darling.
Sandra pushed aside a mass OF papers
to perch on the edge of the desk al
which Raoul Reynal sat She knew
the Owl. knew he liked his Jolts
straight from the shoulder. She de-
termined to plunge.
Were in debt to the hilt. Supplies
cut off Wolf gulping dooT-knob. over
the hill to the poorhouse. Awful mess.
Her uncle pushed back his chair
studied her through shaggy brows.
I'm not bringing you news, am II
Sandra hurried on. mo, I thought
not. Don't ask me how it happened
I don't know. 1t just did"
Uncle Raoul cleared his throat Steel
points in SandraS eyes, it seems, were
q heritage from the Reynals.
What do you expect me to do about
n?"
Sandra swung her legs. She must
appear nonchalant. She could not real
ize, as the Owl did, that her lips were
quivering.
Its what you are willing to do that
I've come to see you about"
Raoul Reynal rose, paced back ano
forth across the thick pile rug that
had once adorned the seraglio OF
pasha. His head was thrust forward
his hands clasped behind him. Sandrs
knew the signs. They meant battle
with only fair chance of her win
ming. He began:
Last March-it was March, wasn't
it?-um-yes last March. in thi:
room, I personally supervised the ap'
portionment of a sum that would SEE
YOU and the other two through the year
Rather handsomely, too-eh?" Uncle
Raoul stopped, his eyes fixed or
Sandra.
mot handsome" she said. helping
herself to a cigarette to hide her con-
fusion. Sufficient"
He paced few steps from her then
wheeled and barked, IF it was suff1'
cient, why are you here for more
More, always more!
"Hoot- t-hoot yourself, Owl" Sandra
thrust her chin out at an angle anus
ingly like that of the hectored man
at told you not to ask me riddles
I've exactly SO cents between me
and the breadline. If you don't sweet.
en- my purse, darling, 1 shall have tt
camp right here until some one comes
and reScueS me-"
Raoul Reynal returned to his chair
drawing it closer to Sandra. Nov
you're talking sense, my child" ht
said, and the harshness was gone from
his voice. stay here with the Owl
Cut loose from those two female frig-
ates pirating around society seeing
whom they can plunder. They're s
bad lot. No good in 'em. Never was
do you happen to refer. by any
chance. to my mother and my sistel
Valerie?"
Il do, most decidedly. A pair O.
female pirates if ever there was"
you're not exactly respectful, Owl
Corinne is your dead brothers wife
Valerie is his daughter. She has a!
much claim on you as l have"
Uncle Raoul pounded the arm of hi
chair with his fist. Valerie Reyna
has no claim on me- l deny it, miss
Deny 1t absolutely. AS for Corinne
If there is debt involved, 1t is hel
obligation to me. She beat down m,
brother. my only brother, mind you
~