The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-11-08

lady replied sedately. ''You see, he
asked If he might come to Wilton for
his summer vacation. He has to know
so he can make his plans"
1.-THE sooner / start, the sooner l
shall be back, suppose" Sylvia an
swered with feigned reluctance. Men
are so unreasonable. Any errands?"
"Not today, thanks. Just the mail"
"Tll wait for It,"
The eagerness betrayed by the reply
left not the slightest doubt that Sylvia
would wait, and gladly.
AS the door closed behind her, Mar
ella smiled whimsically.
She prepared Heath's breakfast tray,
and was about to take 1t upstairs when
there was a gentle knock at the
kitchen door.
A stranger stood upon the threshold.
as Mr.. Stanley Heath staying here?"
inquired he.
"Yes."
81 am Currier. Mr.. Heath sent for
me-"
"Of course! Come in, won't you?
Mr.. Heath is expecting you. I'll tell
| him you are here"
"You needn't do that, madam. If
you will just show me where he is
"At the head of the stairs"
every good. Thank you, madam.
l will go up"
Marcia soon heard the invalid's
voice, imperative and eager, each SEN
tence ending with an interrogation.
The lapses of silence which interviewed
and which at first she took to be
pauses, she presently decided repre-
plies of Currier.
| To judge from the sounds, Heath
was pouring out an avalanche Of ques-
lions. Once he broke into peals Of
hearty laughter, followed by a par
oxysm of coughing.
HE has forgotten all about break
fast" murmured Marcia. "Tll carry
it up"
She mounted the stairs softly that
her coming might break in as little as
possible upon the conversation of her
two guests.
"She was alone in the library when
went ill.," Heath was saying, sand
turned so white l feared she might
faint or scream. Luckily she did
| neither.
"'You know what I'm after said
the jewels. Come, hand them over.
"At that, she began to cry.
"'Quickly,' l repeated. Someone
may come
with that, she produced the Jewel
case, pouring out a torrent of ex-
| plantations
81 stopped no longer than had to,
1 assure you. In no time ! had made
| my getaway. Every detail of my plan
1 would have gone smoothly but for the
fog. l lost my bearings completely.
Imagine my amazement at finding my
self here"
Marcia waited to hear no more.
So Heath really had taken the jewels
from the resisting woman who owned
them-taken them against her will and
| made OIL with them!
| He owned it!
Nay, more! Far from regretting what
he had done, in his tone rang a note
| Of satisfaction in his accomplishment
She had never believed him guilty.
Not until she heard the bitter, ire.
vocable confession from his own lips
| did she waver, and even then"she bat
tied against the truth, refusing to be
convinced. There must be some ex-
PLANTATION, she told herself. Neverthe-
less, the shock was overwhelming.
Her head swan. Her heart beat
wildly.
81 must not give way!" she reiter-
ated to herself. Il must put on u
brave front. He must not suspect
| know"
1t took a few moments for her to re-
| gain her grip on herself, to drag back
her ebbing strength.
Then she knocked at the door.
"Here is your coffee, Mr.. Heath"
she called.
"Come in, Mrs. Howe. I'm afraid
| we've delayed you. nad entlrely Ior-
gotten about breakfast and SO, I'll be
bound, had Currier. You met my right
hand man down stairs, take it."
"You found the house without
trouble?" Marcia inquired, making an
effort to address the newcomer in a
natural, off-hand manner.
"Yes, Mrs. Howe. A young man at
| the garage directed me-"
As Marcia turned to 60, her unfail-
ing courtesy prompted her to say:
"Mr. Currier Is welcome to stay If he
wishes to, Mr.. Heath. We can put him
up perfectly WELL"
ooh, no. He is returning directly.
Nevertheless, greatly appreciate your
Kindness"
"Mrs. Heath is anxious" put in Cur
rier. "She begged me to come home
as soon as possible that she might
know how Mr.. Heath was. Naturally
she has been much worried"
"There, there, Currier-that will do. "
broke In Stanley Heath, flushing. sand
now, since Mrs. Howe is here and is
u o,,v saoraf I NAV az uolI foll vnu