New Britain herald., 1928-02-10

modern and as lambently lovely as the saga lily, starts out on moon- lit night in August to attend harvest festival.
 With her brother. Tony. one year her junior. at the wheel Of their fivver, the pair hears two pistol shots just as the car rounds the foot of a mountain on the outskirts Of their home town of Elliston. W. Va. Here they witness an automobile hold-up. 4 young man is thrown from powerful roadster after. ap- parently. having been rendered un- conscious during the shooting.
 Before Jill and Tony can make . move to protect themselves, the lat ter is black lacked, the girl ls grabbed and thrown into the road ster, where she is held while the big car speeds away toward the hills. As the machine starts, however. Jill sees form rise from the ground and stealthiiy attach itself to the cars rear end. This proves later to be Jack Stuart, owner of the road ster, and supposed to have been shot. When the moon goes under . cloud Stuart climbs across to the running board and with the butt Of his service pistol strikes the driver and gains control of the situation. Leaving the bandits securely bound by the roadside. he takes Jill back home, where Tony is found with a sore head. but alive.
 Peter Justin. Jill's father, out Of gratitude for saving his daughter. in- vites Stuart to remain and accept a job in a glass factory. where he is superintendent. Jack is promised living wages from the start, and a chance to learn the glass-blowing trade. He accepts the offer. Jack asks Jill to marry him. Do you love me, Jack asks Jill.
 (Now GO ON WITH THE sTORY)
 CHAPTER " Jack Stuart had been asking him. self that same question, and he felt that he knew beyond any fear of doubt, now, the answer to make.
 "Yes, Jill. dear heart of mine. you must know love you!"
 The words came in a rush of sud- den passion, and he caught the slim body in his arms. drawing it close to him. T love you-love you, my Jill, my glorious Jill" he cried, in a voice that shook with intensity.
 The girls hands slipped to his shoulders, and then locked behind his neck. The dusky head bent backward and the parted lips invited his own. He leaned down and kissed her.
 All the world loves lover, so they say, and anybody's love story is everybody's affair in town of 15,- 900 inhabitants.
 Two days after Jack Stuart had kissed her, thereby sealing the en- gagement, a majority of the English speaking people of Elliston knew that he was to marry Jill Justin in October.
 Everybody. that is, save Father Ryan. He had been visiting in an. other town during those two days and so it transpired that Jack Stuart
 bimself. was the one who told the priest.
 You have my blessing. my son. 2
 declared the latter. with fervor, his Q deep-set eyes glowing. My blessing
 and my most earnest prayers fol
 your happiness-Jill's and yours Please tell her for me that Father . Ryan is glad-for her!"
 Be patient with her. my boy
 said Peter Justin. after assuring , Jack that he was very happy that l. Jill had chosen 50 wisely. "She hal y her faults, of course, but remember she has been without a mother evel u since she was eight years old!"
 It was the first time Jack Stuar y had ever heard Peter make any ref u erence whatever to the mother of hi '- children. Nor had Jill ever men !" toned her. If he had ever given thu 'e matter thought, which was un 's likely, he had assumed Mrs. Justil u to be dead. Something, however, fl J. Peters voice and hts words "withou ', Y, mother" struck him as odd. :" From the night of their first mee. ~ ing and the almost tragic circum 7. stances attending it. Jill's brother " Tony, and Jack, had been friendt ,u It was Tony who voiced the proposa io that Jack leave Mrs. Logan's am ~ come to the home of his fiancee t It board.
 'i 'That'll furnish an excuse for u 'y hiring of another woman to hel 'o with tn housework." had pointe e. out to is father. and his prospectiv d broter-in-law. Tony had long bee la urging the need of help for hi pt sister.
 " Its too much, this big house." h :. declared. ''Too much for one sma "' girl to look after, even with a maid
 help. It doesn't leave Jill with tim
 and strength for her dancing prat
 tice. And anyhow" he added, as
 to clench his proposal, Jack will ! coming here to live when they al married"
 This idea seemed 10 have bee taken for granted by everyone gay the person most concerned. Jat Stuart did not favor Tony's boardr proposition. Small town gossip, argued. was a thing to be reckont with. and there were too many wa ging tongues in Elliston that wer as Father Ryan had once declare ''slung on a pivot so as 10 flap both ends" Nor did he favor Il proposal of his wife and he livir with her family when they were ma ried. On the contrary, he suggeS' l that Jill and he rent an apartme l and keep house by themselves. This suggestion met with a trip