The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-08-07
By SIDNEY HERSCHEL SMALL
Copyrixht By The Bobb< Merrill Co.
CHAPTER Ix-centlnued.

--12-
I thought loved him. II had. or
n had told him that / did, I'd never
let this interfere. You know that,
dear. II I'd promised. II wouldn't be
the same. But now-oh. Uncle Sandy.
you know the trouble I've had. How
lonely I've been. dear, until you took
me. i 1 want some one 10
look after me. always, for years and
years and years. Forever. And'--the
words torrented forth now--rve
known Ray for SO long and
he's so good. and SO steady"-em-
phasized-"and II only / had
a mother 10 talk toi He's asked me to
marry him and | do
love him. Uncle Sandy. but I'm
afraid :"
His first thought was how far this
would be from his innocently made
plans.
IF you love him, why I'd
not say you nay. Alberta. There's
sorrow enough In this housei"
But he has so far to 20 before
:. 10. you always said that people should
marry young and II Bob comes
back 1t would be easier for him II
i were married :"
Sanderson nodded. II would, II
would indeed.
And so he was carried on: yes.
since 1t would permit Alberta TO plan
ahead. he would make Ray his assist
ant, and keep him In the city after he
returned. Yes, he would see that VII
llsms was made familiar with all Of
the details OF the executive branch.
Yes, Alberta might have the wedding
from the house
Sanderson was so acquiescent now
that Alberta felt she might 90 further.
She had wished to do this before, but
feared. II must be done. sooner or
later. and she was no hand to delay.
do you know what Ray says. I'm
Gle SandyT
About :. Bobf"
Eyes :. that he was lazy Terribly
lax. That material was stolen right
under Bob's nose. i know that Mr..
amount of stun, whatever II was. was
always being wired for. Ray said that
Bob may have sold 1t. to pay his gam
bling debts"
Sanderson did not answer.
"And that letter. When remember
that have left Bob kiss me-" she
broke off, fearful. The last words
were unattended, the natural Sc
quence, but they might prove damn
ing.
"'Tis strange that they can't find
him." Sanderson muttered. He had
not heard the last speech at all.
~What with the advertisements in Jap
and American printed in every news
paper. and the signs we ordered
placed and the reward offered. It's
strange that we never heard word.
Bob was always inconslderate."
she answered He's just horrid to
u.s." she added with incipient anger.
Sanderson seemed so detected. so
forlorn that she forgot her very dis
content In his resumed attitude and
abe came TO his chair. She had much
TO be grateful for. He had promised
all that she asked. without question.
She had not dreamed It would be so
easy. To express her thankfulness she
fell into way which came naturally.
es Wells might testify: little touch
iags OF the arm. little urgings Of the
cheek.
Sanderson was glad that the girl |
leaned her warmth against him. He
would not have her see the moisture |
in his eyes.
Both started at a discreet knock. |
but the girl did not draw away. II
would do no harm for the servants 10
see her place. The butler entered and /
placed heap Of mail. with a brown
ish-pink stamped narrow envelope up |
permost. upon the table. sanderson
saw the familiar sun-emblem OF japan.
the unfamiliar stilted handwriting. |
and must wait a breath-taking moment
before opening II.
Alberta pressed her hand against
her cheek. a hand tense Of finger.
Sanderson's own fingers trembled AS
he picked up the envelope and. clum-
silly in his new haste. tore the thin
rice-paper apart