The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-11-22


"And now into 1t has come this Stan
ley Heath" the girl said.
For the fraction of a second Mar
cha did not reply; then almost in
audibly she murmured:
"Yes."
Sylvia slipped one Of her strong
young arms about the bowed shout
ders.
st just seems as IL l could not
bear It," she burst out passionately.
SILVIA, look at me. Tell me the
truth. Do you, too, love Stanley
Heath? Was that the reason you
fought against Elisha's finding the
jewels? Tell me. | must know"
mo" she answered without hesita-
ton. Eat first he did fascinate me.
changed my mind, though, later on.
Not because on acquaintance ne De-
came less charming. 1t wasn't tnat.
If anything, he became more so.
just-changed my mind AS for the
jewels, could not bear to let that
little runt of sheriff win out You
see, thought the gems were there un-
der the brick and that when you urged
him to search, you did not know 1t.
II had known all along they were
in the house, for stumbled upon them
by accident one day when l was here
alone; but had no idea you had. l
truly believed Mr.. Heath had hidden
them beneath the hearth, and / was
determined Elisha should not IND
them"
You think Mr.. Heath took the
jewels?" asked Marcia, slowly.
Certainly l do. Don't your
"No."
"But, Marcia, can't you see how
plain it all is? l know 1t is terrible
for you. dear. 1t almost breaks my
heart. 1t is an awful thing to believe
of anybody-harder still of person
one loves. Nevertheless, we must race
the facts People do not carry sucn
things about with them-especially
men. He came by them in no honest
way, you may be sure of that. He Is
guilty, Marcia-guilty."
81 do not believe it," was the stub
born protest.
81 realize, dear, it is hard for you
to own it," soothed Sylvia. I'VE hate
to admit the faults of those we've
care for. Still, nothing is to be gained
by remaining blind to them. Perhaps
Mr.. Heath was horribly tempted to
commit this sin. We do not know. We
are not his judges. The thing for us
to do is to help him out of the mess
he is in. Aid him to escape"
believing him guilty-you would do
that?"
Surely l would"
"You mean you would help him to
evade the law? The punishment such
wrongdoing merits?"
"Yes. To give him a sporting
chance, the start of those who are
after him. You love Stanley Heath.
Don't you want to see him go free?"
mot If he is guilty"
-"Well, nobody is going to round up
Mr.. Heath if l can prevent it," assert
ed Sylvia, throwing back her head. IF
you won't help him get away, will.
He must go in the boat-now-to-
day."
"The boat has gone. Mr.. Currier ar
rived this morning after you had gone
and took the boat back to New York
with him."
"And the jewels?"
"Yes, the jewels, too.."
"Humph! So that's where they
are!"
"Yes."
pretty cute of him to make so neat
a getaway! What sort of man was
he? A gentleman, like Mr.. Heath?"
The older woman colored.
well, no. At least he-he-. On,
he was polite and had nice manner
"a quiet voice"
But he was different from Mr..
Heath-an inferior-one who took or
ders," interrupted Sylvia. I'm other
words, he is the hands and Mr.. Heath
the brains of the team"
How can you, Sylvia?"
Because / must, Marcia-because
we must both look this affair in the
face. Confess the circumstances are
suspicious"
"They seem to be-" she owned with
reluctance.
"Haye you considered them?" Syl-
via inquired.
Marcia drew her hand across her
forehead.
T-I-yes. l have thought them
over. don't understand them at all.
Nevertheless, / do not believe Stanley
Heath is guilty." was the proud retort
"You are making great mistake. ii
you will pardon me for saying So
Sylvia responded gently. "You are de-
liberately closing your eyes and mind
to facts that later are bound to cause
you bitter unhappiness. Let alone the
mans guilt. He has wife. You seem
to forget that. AS Elisha Winslow re.
marked, you have already been miser-
able once. Why be so second timel
Help Stanley Heath to get out OF VIII
ton and forget him."
~ cannot do either Of those things.
In the first place. l have given my
word to hand Mr.. Heath over to the
authorities. AS for forgetting him