The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-11-15

WIN ner DacK TO the subway uOOrp
her eyes never leaving Elisha Wins
lows. There was something in her
face Sylvia had never seen there-a
light of battle; a fierceness as Of a
mother fighting for her child; puz-
zling quality to which no name could
be given.
Suddenly, as the girl studied her,
recognition Of this new characteristic
flashed upon her understanding. It
was love!
Anger, perhaps terror, had forced
Marcia into betraying secret no other
power could have dragged from her.
"What proof have your" Marcia de-
manded.
Elisha shifted from one foot to the
other.
"Pve seen the Jewels" he whispered.
They're herein this room. under
that brick. I've seen 'em."
With finger pointing dramatically
toward the hearth, Elisha strobe for
ward.
Sylvia, however, sprang before him.
standing 'twixt him and his goal.
"What a ridiculous story, Mr.. Wins
low!" she cried. "What a fantastic
yarn! Do you imagine for one moment
there could be anything hidden under
those bricks and Marcia and not
know it? Why, one or the other of us
has been in this room every instant
since Mr.. Heath arrived. When could
he get the chance to hide anything?
There is nothing here, Mr.. Winslow,
truly there is nothing. l swear it."
Nevertheless, let him look, Sylvia.
Let them both look"
"Please-please, Marcia"
Sylvia was upon her knees now on
the hearth, and the men, hesitating to
remove her by force, halted awkward
ly.
Marcia regarded her first with star
tied ncredulity-then with GOODNESS.
So Sylvia loved Heath, too!
She was fighting for him-fghting
with all her feeble strength.
A pang wrenched the older woman's
heart
What If Heath had played a double
game-made love to Sylvia as he had
made love to her? If so-if the man
were a mountebank the sooner they
both found 1t out-the sooner the
world knew it, the better.
If, on the other hand, he was limo
cent, he should have his chance.
The older woman went to the side
Of the pleading figure.
"Get up, Sylvia" she said. 'The
sheriff must search. He must do his
duty. We have no right to prevent It."
Her face was pale, her lips tightly
set.
The brick was lifted out.
A smothered cry escaped Sylvia and
was echoed.
"Why-land alive-there's nOthin'
here" gasped the sheriff.
ST told you there was nothing!" Syl-
via tainted, beginning to laugh hys-
terically.
"Wal, 'Lish, all can say is you must
either "a been wool gatherin' or
dreamin' when you conceived this
yarn" Eleazer jeered.
81 warn't," Kissed Elisha, stung to
the quick. 81 warn't dEeamin'. Them
Jewels was there. I saw 'em with my
own eyes. swear to heaven l did,"
He confronted Sylvia. "They was there,
young lady, warn't they? You know
they was That's why you was so scairt
for me to look. You've seen 'em. Deny
~ IF Won dare ~.
"Of course l deny It."
"Humph! But Marcia won't. You
can lie If you want to save the skin
of that good-for- nothin' critter upstairs
though what purpose is served by
your doin' it l can't see. But Marcia
won't. If she says them jewels warn't
here I'll believe it. Come now, Marcia.
Was there ever diamonds an things
under this brick or warn't there?"
eyes"
"You saw emp
AS if the admission was dragged
from her, Marcia formed, but did not
utter, the word:
"Yes."
"There! Then I amt gone daffy |
What SAID was true, ELISHA &C
claimed, rising in triumph and snap
ping his finger at Eleazer.
1.-THE jewels were Mr.. Heath's. He
hid them for safe keeping"
"a likely story! He stole 'em-thats
what he did,"
"Prove it," challenged Marcia, with
sudden spirit, spot Of crimson burn
Ing on either cheek.
prove it?" Elisha was taken aback.
"Wal, I can't at the moment do that. l
can't prove It. But even II I can't,
can make out a good enough case
against him to arrest him on suspicion.
That's what mean to do-that's what
come for an what I'll do fore I
leave this house."
"Mr. Heath Is sick"
Il guess he amt so sick but what
can go up an cross-examine him."
II ask you not to 60. forbid it."
Law, MarciaI"
II forbid It," repeated the woman.
drop this matter for a day or two,
Elisha. Mr.. Heath shall not leave the
house. I<promise you that Leave him