The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-09-27

clinging handkerchief became entan-
gled in their fingers and slipping from
its coverings a leather jewel-case
dropped to the floor.
Out Of 1t rolled flashing necklace
and a confusion of smaller gems.
Marcia stifled an involuntary cry.
Nevertheless, she neither looked up
nor delayed.
"Sorry to be so clumsy" she NUT
tered, as she swiftly scooped up the
jewels.
1t was we'll she had made haste, for
no sooner was the clasp on the box
snapped and the treasure concealed be-
meath the floor than Sylvia returned,
and moment later came both Doctor
Jared Stetson and Elisha Winslow.
"Mornin'. Marcia" nodded the doc
tor. "'Lish happened to be in the
office when your niece called up, an
hearin' you had man patient, he
thought mebbe he might be of use.
What pears to be the trouble, sir?"
"I've done something to my right
wrist"
"H-m-mi" With skilled hand, he
pushed back the dripping sleeve.
"You're a mite water-logged, / no.
tice," observed he. "Been overboard?"
Something of the Sort" returned
the man, with the flicker of smile.
"Mr.-" for the fraction of Sec
ond, Marcia hesitated; thel continued
in an even tone, Mr.. Carlton
grounded his boat and had to swim
ashore"
"You don't say! Well, 1 amt sur
prised. faint no day to be afloat.
You couldn't cut this fog with a carv-
in'-knife. How come you to take your
boat out in such weather.? the doctor
demanded.
II waS-was cruising"
ooh, an the fog shut down on you.
l see. Fog has a trick of doin' that,
unless one keeps an eye for fog symp-
toms. Now, what I'd recommend for
you first of all, Mr.. Carlton, is warm
bed. You look clean beat out. Better
let 'Lish an me help you upstairs, an
out Of your wet things, cause with a
wrist such as yours, l figger you won't
be very handy at buttons. Not that
'Lish is a professional lady's maid.
That amt exactly his calm. Still, In
spite of bein' town sheriff, he can turn
his hand to other things. It's lucky
he can, too, for he don't get much
sheriffin' down this way. Wilton
doesn't go in for crime. In fact, we
was laughin' bout that very thing this
noon at the post Office. Pears there's
been a robbery at one Of the Long
Island estates. Quantities of jewelry
taken, an no trace of the thief. The
alarm was sent out over the radio
early yesterday an listenin' in 'Lish,
here, got quite het up an not little
envious. He said he most wished the
burglary had took place in our town,
excitement bein', at a pretty low ebb
now"
Marcia, standing by the stove, spun
about.
"Now, Elisha, don't you run down
Wilton. Why, l have twenty-five dol
lars in my purse this minute" she as
serted, taking a worn pocket-book from
her dress and slapping it with chal
longing candor down upon the table
81 keep 1t in that china box above the
stove"
"That might serve as a starter" re
0xl-o fho CT rdin0 h0Y
quizzically.
She faced him, chin drawn in, and
head high and defiant.
Besides that, in my top bureau
drawer is string of gold beads that
belonged to my great-grandmother,
she continued, daring laughter curling
her lips. "They are very old and are
really quite valuable
"We'll make note Of those, too,
nodded the man, his eyes on hers.
"I'm afraid that's all l can offer In
the way of burglary inducements"
"That bein' the case, s'pose you an
me start gettin' the patient upstairs
'Lish," broke IN Doctor Stetson. ''Ii
we don't, next we know he'll be havin
pneumonia as well as a bad wrist"
The strangers admiring glance fixed
itself on Marcia's.
"What is my next mover he in
quired.
II told you before-you must take
off your wet things and rest" she re-
peated.
"You still prescribe that treatment?'
II still prescribe it."
"In spite of the-the symptoms"
"Why not?" was her quick answer
"yery well. l am ready, gentle.
men," Erect, even with hint of de.
fiance in bis hooking smile, the man
rose to his full height. Before we 60
however, must correct slight error
You misunderstood my name. 1t is
not Carlton. 1t Is Heath-Stanley
Heath"
NYYA nTED TVY