The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-08-01
THIS HAS HAPPENED


BERTHE LOU WARD marries
ROD DRYER. who had previously
been engaged to LILA MARSH.
The only shadow On the brides
happiness In Lila's persistence In
annoying her md telling friends
that she wns Rode 0rst love.
A position In New York 10 NJ.
he accepts. Anxious Ia ankle .
good tuaorcss1On. they live beyond
thetr Income and Bertje Lou finds
tt hnrd 10 rexist when MOLLY
FRASER urges her 10 buy more
clothes than abe cnn afford. She
and Roa have their nrst quarrel
over money. and 10 make matters
md make life miserable for
Dertie Lon. nut they Introduce
her - n rich MIR. LOREE and she
surprises them ~ marrying him.
L1ln asks Dertle Lou To forgive
the past and he friends with such
sincer'ty thnt the latter - de-
cetved. Trying 10 keep up with
their wealthy frlends pleuges
Rod deeper IN debt and he he
comes depressed. Lila selses her
chance 10 persuade him 70 accept
. higher SALARY from Loree.
varc :,:,:s -: ssea .ns... and .. 81.
Lou 20 indulge N nm orgy Of
spending and to furnish more
luxurious quarters. During s.Orse's
absence Lila asks Rod "a put her
Jewels In the office vault. Later
she requests him 10 return them
TO her and svhea they open the
case the jeweIs nre gone. Rod
wants Ia notify the police but she
Will not let him.
NOW co ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XIV
I lila saw her advantage and
- pressed 1t. Rod WI weighing
the cost of giving publicity to the
theft. Of seeking tho aid of the
police and the insurance company.
The case was absolutely black
against him. No one. only himself.
he admitted. had touched the Jewels
after Lila had given them to him
for safekeeping. And the lock OF
the case had been difficult to open
when he returned It to her
looked as II It had been tempered
with.
Rods brain was working swiftly
now that he clearly saw q string
OF consequences In his outlook. It
occurred to him that the police
might find sufficient evidence to
hold him for trial.
1T WAS not a pleasant prospect
= to face. It could easily mean
ruin. complete and final. He thought
OF BERTHE Lou and his face grew
haggard In an instant. Lila's plead
ing took root then. She saw the
expression OF defeat envelop his
features and then disappear as q
spark OF hope Quickened his tongue
to an eager question.
Tell me-" he said. 'how much
your jewels we're insured for. II
could pay 1t &"
Lila laughed. Don't be foolish,
Rod" The laugh died away as she
saw . look Of stubborness settle
around his lips. "How could you
pay it," she asked a. though It
might be possible after all.
You know Cy is paying me $3.50
= week." Rod replied. mo matter
how much OF that It took to cover
the insurance. l could afford It. /
don't sec how I'm going to prove
my innocence. II Cy throws me out
on my ear Id have Z hard time
getting another Job. hate to give
the thief . chance to get away but
! guess good detective could do %
much as the police"
but Rod. you need all the money
you earn"
"I'll manage" Rod said grimly:
Il won't let you take the full loss.
Lila. It's fine Of you to want to. I"
He looked ut her with q depth Of
gratitude that curje d warmly
around Lila's conscience-proof
heart.
III Id lost your necklace and
bracelets Id feel ! ought to pay
you what they cost. though / don't
know how Id do IT," DO added hon.
estly. but they were stolen. and
unless you receive them you will
get only as much 40 the Insurance
you carried on them. Whatever that