The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-04-05

"They aren't following me-" the cir
reminded him gravely. "They aren't
following your father There are q
great many people connected with the
case that aren't being followed, Rylie
How about WEBB He was only
trying to help me keep you out of this
I'm sure he Isn't murderer. He can't
be! But just the same, they have
him in Jail. oh. 1t worries me, Rylie.
can't help It."
He kissed her on the lips and held
| her to him. "It's almost worth 1t to
know that you care so much. darling.
he muttered.
Calls pressed her sweetheart to her
fercely. Her face was white. at was
really my fault that they suspect you. >
she said I'll was afraid. at first,
that you had done 1t, Rylie. 1t terri
fed me. That's why | lied to the po-
lice-at first. That's why they suspect
YOU"
She refused to meet his gaze as he
relinquished his hold upon her. after
knew how determined you were to
stop the wedding. and then discovered
you we're not In the church. | didn't
know what to think. When Web
Spears told me you weren't there,
made some kind of excuse and ran
around to the sacrlsty In search of
you. Nick Royce was there. Jim
Franklin was In Doctor Abernathy's
study. When Nick saw how troubled
was. he knocked on the door and
asked Ii you were there. I can't tell
you how relieved | felt when | learned
you weren't"
She made tremulous effort at
smile and evaded his arms.
II must tell you the whole thing.
When Jim never appeared at the al
tar, | was terribly frightened. I could
think only Of you. You see, Rylie, you
had been so determined to keep him
from marrying Doris The last thing
you said to me was, 'There1l never be
a wedding today. honey. I'm going to
have a showdown with Jim Franklin
That kept ringing In my ears, there In
the church, when he didn't come. /
didn't like him, either, but was pray
Ing for him to come, praying harder
than | ever had In my life, because |
was afraid II he didn't, 1t meant that
something terrible had happened, and
that you were responsible"
Don't worry, dear. Everything
turned out for the best" With awk-
wardly gentle hands Rylie stroked the
gold of her hair.
For the best7 With Jim Franklin
murdered. Web arrested for the crime
and detectives shadowing your
II only meant that the wedding had
been stopped, even II I didn't do 1t.
And they can't pin 1t on me. I'm inno-
cent He shrugged "Oh, Calls.
Don't look at me like that. You can't
expect me to pretend any sorrow for
Jim Franklln's death. / hated the
man. The world Is better off without
him. Better off tell you" His voice
had grown suddenly harsh.
DO you realize what hi Doris
life would have been, married to him7
With a chorus-gIrl mistress that half OF
New York knew about7 Have you
seen the newspapers7 Doris picture,
yes, and yours, too. Haunted on the
front pages Of the tabloids. together
with photographs of that actressl
I'm not sorry for Franklin, I'm glad
Glad that 1t happened Glad that my
sister was saved from him, no matter
how 1t happened I'll be glad II the
murderer gets away. hope they
never find him." He sank Into a chair
and clasped his white face In both
hands.
The girl was on her knees beside
him. her soft arms clasplng his knees.
you mustn't, Rylie, you mustn't she
whispered. mo matter how you feel,
you must never talk like that again.
What II some one else were to hear
your Oh when think that It's my
fault that they suspect you"
Tenderly he took the girl In his
arms.
IT'S no ones fault, and I'm in no
danger, really, honey. You must re-
member that Keep repeating 1t to
yourself. There isn't any danger.
There isn't There can't be, because
Rylle didn't do It,"
Its like terrible shadow, that Is
slowly coming between u.s. the girl
whispered.
Nothing can ever come between US,
dearest" murmured Rylle.
Doris probably thought that, too,
just before the wedding, and see
what has happened to her. Calls
shivered
Il wish we. could figure ont some
way of running away from 1t all.
never want to see another detective
again. or course, that's foolish. We
can't do 1t, but
I'VE can do It'll" interrupted RylIe
eagerly. Lets. Listen. Bill and Flo
are at Martins Cove. Why couldn't
we drive up there this EVENING" II we
leave here at eight, we can get there
by midnight
And have detectives and reporters
hiding behind the hedge every time
we go for swim?" Her voice was