New Britain herald., 1929-06-18

Wistful but still defiant, Lucy kis cause he had been his accomplice and feared exposure. ogden then reveals the whole story to Jerry and sends him to Torridity to guard lthe skeleton. Lucy interrupts the story with a surprise-she and Jerry were married after her mad dash to the mine.
 CHAPTER A
 "WHO Is DILLON?"
 stared unbelievingly at the circle of gold on the end of the ribbon. Married! I had lost her. It pinned me into my chair until an uprush of anger at Jerry gave me release He must have felt the wind of it's coming.
 T know what you are going to say. Uncle John!" he poured forth in grief-stricxen tone. I'm a cad to have done such a thing! l don't blame you. Dad dead and not buried-this murder charge hanging over my head - it was beastly thing to do! Get it out of your sys- tenn. It's coming to me. God knows!"
 "Oh, Jerry" Lucy cried distress fully. And then. so gently that my anger softened: Tt isn't coming to you! Please keep quiet while I tell him about it. dear"
 Her dark eyes. tender. earnest yet unafraid. held mine.
 a-s"Jcrry is trytn gto shield me. It was entirely my fault. He didn't know about his father until this morning. We started back as soon as I told him.
 You didn't tell him until this morning." exclaimed incredu- lously.
 If had told him when found him he wouldn't have-married me-
 s'-"Hardly!" Jerry mumbled.
 You young idiots!" roared, re- covering myself Couldn't you have waited until this thing was cleared up?"
 Don't you see?" Lucy said pa tiently. If a man doesn't need d wife when he's in trouble, when does he need one?"
 "Oh!" gasped. I felt as if I hadn't known Lucy until this mo- ment.
 You always said I was funny little thing, Uncle John, but you've Aeen such . dear!" She kissed me and began to melt like butter. "Jerry was in serious trouble. Tiff he should be arrested I wanted my sight to stand by him to be legal one. You've always taught me to think things out for myself and what l did seemed right. It nearly broke my heart to deceive him. You-you won't scold us, will you. Uncle John?"
 Scold them! How could I? Clever Lucy! She had know what she was doing when she made Jerry tell his story first It was a splendid thing she had done. marrying man with | murder charge over his head. even though she believed him innocent: but 1t was the sort of romantic. audacious. illogical thing Lucy would do.
 Tt was fine of you, dear,' l told her gently. pressing her tightly to me. "Jerry. if you ever fail this girl of yours I'll take you apart with . jackknife.'
 Y hope you will Uncle John" he mumbled earnestly. Lucy is too fine for me. And she's trying to make 1t easy for me, but-well. I can't help feeling that failed dad. He told me to stay there until he came. When Lucy told me about him-this morning-on top of what I'd done-it pretty nearly finished me-
 The boy suddenly dropped his head into his hands. Lucy ran over 10 him and put her arms around him.
 He didn't want 10 come away Lucy said tenderly. but I told him I'd stay there until he did--and that he didn't love me-and that if he didn't want me then he needn't have me ever"
 Didn't want you" Jerry burst forth. lifting his head and seizins her shoulders. And with this he kissed her very competently indeed. When she said she'd stay cown there until I changed my mind Oh. damn it. Uncle John, what could I do? I gave Furie s2o to keep his eye on the mine-and what was in it. hoped we'd be back the next day. but the sandstorm held us tip most Of the night. That's all"
 ''Furie earned his s2o." I said grimly. Don feel too badly, son. I imagine most of us would have done the same under the circum stances. Eh. what. Henry" and [ turned 10 Deacon
 Young fools,' he groWled. q suppose it's the sort of thing that's done nowadays"