The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-08-29

had been forgotten. Miles of distance.
years of silence separated her from
Jason's relatives and 1t had been easy
to allow the deceit II deceit IL had
been. to stand.
But now those barriers were to be
broken down and she suddenly realized
that to keep up the fraud so artlessly
begun was going TO be exceedingly
difficult. She was not a clever dis
sembler.
II she had followed her usual Gus
tom and been open with Jason's sister.
the dilemma In which she now found
herself would never have arisen.
Granted that her motive had been
worthy one had 1t not been audacious
to make of herself god and withhold
from Margaret Hayden facts she had
had every right to know, facts that be-
longed to her? Such burdens were
given human beings to bear, not to es-
cape from. But If with mistaken kind
| ness she had been guided by pygmy,
short-sighted philosophy. 1t was too
late, reflected Marcia, for her to rem
edy her error in judgment.
But Sylvia-Jason's niece7
With her coming. all the arguments
Marcia had worn threadbare for and
t>against the exposure of Jason's true
character presented themselves afresh.
Should she deceive the girl as she hal
her mother? Oh should she tell her
| the truth?
She was still bordering the question
when the train, with its single car,
came to stop beside the platform.
Three passengers descended.
The first was young Portuguese
| woman, dark OF face. and carrying
bullying bag from which protruded gay
bits of embroidery.
Behind her came a slender, blue
| eyed girl, burdened not only with her
| own suitcase but with basket ap-
| parently belonging to a wee, wlzened
old lady who followed her.
Now we must find Henry" the girl
was saying In clear but gentle voice.
"Of course he'll be here. Look Isn't
| that he-the man just driving up In
CART guessed as much from your
| description. You need not have wor-
| ried, you see. Good-by, Mrs. Doane.
| / hope you'll have a lovely visit with
| your son"
The little old lady smiled up at her.
"Good-by, my dear. You've taken
| care of me like as II you'd been my
own daughter. / ain't much used to
jauntln' about, and 1t frets me. Are
your folks here? If not, I'm sure
| Henry wouldn't mind"
"Oh, somebody'll turn up to meet me-
Mrs. Doane. I'll be all right. Good
| by
Then as Marcia watched, she saw
the 1.-the young creature stoop sud-
| denly and kiss the withered cheek.
| The next instant she was swinging
| up the platform.
| The slim figure In Its well-tailored
blue suit; the trinity shod feet; the
| small hat so proyokingly tilted over the
bright eyes, the wealth of golden curls
that escaped from beneath 1t all shat
| tered Marcia's calculations. She had
thought of Sylvia Hayden as farm
| bred-the product Of an inland, coun-
| try town-a creature starved for
breath of outlook and social oppor-
tunlty. 1t was disconcerting to dis
cover that she was none of these things.
Well, If she was chagrined, there
was consolation In seeing that the girl
was equally discounted.
AS she approached Marcia, she ac-
costed her uncertainty with the words.
Pardon me. | am looking for a
relatiye-a Mrs. Howe. You don't hap
pen to know, do you
I'm Marcia"
"But thought expected" gasped
the girl
And thought expected" Mar
ella mimicked gally.
For a moment they looked searchingly
into one another's face, then laughed.
Fancy having an aunt like you'll"
exclaimed the incredulous Sylvia.
And fancy having a niece like
you y
"Well, all / can say Is I'm glad
| came" was the girls retort. II wasn't
| altogether sure i should be when |
startefNeast. said to myself: Sylvia
| you are taking big chance. You may
| just be wasting your money!
You may still find It's been wasted"
l. mo. shan't. / know already 1t has
been well spent" announced the girl.
walt until you see where you're
going
Il am going to Paradise-Tm GER
tain of 1t. The glimpses I've had OF
the ocean from the train have con-
vinced me of that. Do you live where
you can see 1t, Aunt Marcla7 WIN 1t
be nearby?'
Il shall not tell you one thing Mar
ella replied. AT least only one, and
that Is that | fatty refuse to be Aunt
Marcia to you'll 1t makes me feel like
Methuselah. really haven't that
amount of dignity
"Ah, now my last weak, wayering
doubt IS vanished. Not only am glad
I came but | wish I'd come before"
She saw a shadow fit across her
| aunts face.