Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-12-19

Dut Etdtntu HQlliCuly " lnC DdtA
age, but as their hands met. the moisr,
clinging handkerchief became entan-
gled In their fingers and slipping from
Its coverings a leather Jewel-case
dropped TO the floor.
Out OF II rolled a flashing necklace
and a confusion OF smaller gems.
Marcia stifled an involuntary cry.
Nevertheless. she neither looked up
nor delayed.
"Sorry 10 be so clumsy" she NUT
tered. as she swiftly scooped up the
jewels
1t was we'll she had made haste, for
no sooner was the clasp on the box
snapped and the treasure concealed be-
meath the floor than Sylvia returned,
and a moment later came both Doctor
Jared Stetson and Elisha Wlnslow.
"Mornin'. Marcia" nodded the doc
tor. "'Llsh happened to be in the
office when your niece called up, an
hearin' you had a mar patient, he
thought mebbe he might be Of use.
What pears to be the trouble, slr?'
I've done something 10 my right
wrist"
"H-m-m." With skilled hand. he
pushed back the dripping sleeve.
you're a mite water-logged. I no
tlce," observed he. "Been overboard?"
Something of the Sort" returned
the man, with the flicker of a smile.
mir" for the fraction of a Sec
ond, Marcia hesitated; thei continued
in an even tone, Mr.. Carlton
grounded his boat and had to swim
ashore"
"You don't sayl Well, l Amt sur
prised. "Tain't no day to be afloat.
You couldn't cut this fog with a carv-
in'-knife. How come you to take your
boat out In such weather." the doctor
demanded.
II was-was cruising"
"Oh, an the fog shut down on yon.
l see. Fog has a trick of doln' that,
unless one keeps an eye for fog symp-
toms. Now, what I'd recommend for
you first of all, Mr.. Carlton, is a warm
bed. You look clean beat out. Better
let Lish an me help you upstairs, an
out Of your wet things, cause with a
wrist such as yours, l f1gger you won't
be very handy at buttons. Not that
'Lish is a professional lady's maid.
That amt exactly his calm. Still, In
spite of bein' town sheriff, he can turn
his hand to other things. It's lucky
he can, too, for he don't get much
sherifin' down this way. Wilton
doesn't 60 In for crime. In fact, we
was ~laughin' bout that very thing this
noon at the post office. Pears there's
been a robbery at one Of the Long
Island estates. Quantities of jewelry
taken, an no trace Of the thief. The
alarm was sent out over the radio
early yesterday an listenin' In 'Lish
here, got quite het up an not a little
envious. He said he most wished the
burglary had took place In our town
excitement bein' at a pretty low ebt
now"
Marcia, standing by the stove, spur
about.
"Now, Elisha, don't you run dowr
Wilton. Why. l have twenty-five dol
lars in my purse this minute" she as
serted, taking a worn pocket-book from
her dress and slapplng 1t with chal
longing candor down upon the table
II keep 1t In that china box above thu
stove"
That might serve as a starter" re
marked the stranger, regarding he
Quizzically.
She faced him, chin drawn In, ant
head high and defiant
Besides that, In my top bureau
drawer Is a string Of gold beads tina
belonged to my great-grandmother.
she continued, daring laughter curlin'
her lips. "They are very old and ar
really quite valuable"
"WeIl make a note Of those, too,
nodded the man, his eyes on hers.
, I'm afraid that's all / can offer 1
the way of burglary inducements"
! "That beln' the case, s'pose you al
me start gettln' the patient upstairs
'Lish," broke in Doctor Stetson. II
. we don't, next we know he'll be havir
: pneumonia as well as a bad wrist"
The strangers admiring glance fxe
, Itself on Marcla's.
"What is my next mover" he II
quired.
;. II told you before-you must TAX
: Off your wet things and rest" she n
!, peated.
!, "You still prescribe that treatment
II still prescribe It."
\ ain spite Of the-the symptoms?
: "Why not?" was her quick answe
"Very we'll. ! am ready, gentl'
), men," Erect, even with a hint Of d
fance In his hooking smile, the ma
rose to his full height. Before we &
: however, l must correct a slight erro
- You misunderstood my name. 1t
!, not Carlton. 1t Is Heath-Stanle
.. Heath"
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