The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-24

dohtu III ne might tohc W 'itoh ioi
his summer vacation. He has to know
so he can make his plans"
"The sooner l start, the sooner
shall be back, / suppose" Sylvia an
swered with feigned reluctance. 1Men
are so unreasonable. Any errands?"
mot today, thanks Just the mall"
I'll 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.
rs Mr.. Stanley Heath staying herei"
inquired he.
eyes"
Il am CurrIer. Mr.. Heath sent for
me-
"Of counsel Come In, won't you?
Mr.. Heath is expecting you. III 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"
very good. Thank you, madam.
| will go up"
Marcia soon heard the inyalids
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-
sented the inaudible and subdued re-
plies of Currler.
g To Judge from the sounds, Heath
was pouring out an avalanche of ques-
tons. Once he broke into peals Of
hearty laughter. followed by par
oxysm of coughing.
He has forgotten all about break
fast murmured Marcia. I'LL carry
1t up"
She mounted the stairs softly that
her coming might break In as little az
possible upon the conversation of her
two guests.
'She was alone In the library when
| went in,' Heath was saying, "and
turned. SO white 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.
"'Qulckly,' | repeated. Someone
may come
with that, she produced the jewel
case. pouring out a torrent of ex-
plantations.
Il stopped no longer than | had to-
assure you. In no time | had made
my getaway. Every detail of my plaD
would have gone smoothly but for the
fog. | 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
tilem-taken them against her will and
made off with them
He owned 1t
Nay, more Far from regretting what
he had done, In his tone rang note
OF satisfaction In his accomplishment.
She had never believed him guilty.
Not until she heard the bitter, IRE.
yocable 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. Neyerthe-
less, the shock was overwhelming.
Her head swan. Her heart beat
wildly.
Il must not give Wayl" she relter-
ated to herself. Il must put on u
brave front. He must not suspect
know"
1t took few moments for her to re-
gain her grip on herself, to drug 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. had entirely for
gotten about breakfast and SO, Ill he
bound had currler. You met my right
hand man down stairs, take 1t.
You found the house without
trouble?" Marcia inquired. making an
effort to address the newcomer In Il
natural, off-hand manner.
Eyes, Mrs. Howe. A young man at
the garage directed me-"
AS Marcia turned to 20, her unfall-
Ing courtesy prompted her to say:
MIR. Currler Is welcome to stay II he
wishes to, Mr.. Heath. We can put him
up perfectly WE'LL
.Oh 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 MS possible that she might
know how Mr.. Heath was. Naturally
she has been much worried"
There, there. Currler-that will do,
broke in Stanley Heath, flushing. And
now, since Mrs Howe Is here and is
In our secret. | may as well tell you
that part of the mission on which you