The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-10-11

Ing patience, care, and time.
clustered, frightened, she jammel
the jewel case into her dress and fran
tically restoring the brick to the yawn-
ing hole in the hearth as best she
could, she fed up the back stairs at
the same moment Marcia descended
the front ones.
Once In her room, she closed and
locked the door and sank painting into
a chair to recover her breath.
Well, at least she had not been
caught and in the meantime the Jewels
were quite safe.
She took the case stealthily from
her pocket. Now that the gems were
In her possession, 1t certainly could do
no harm for her to look at them
even try them on, as she had been
tempted to do when she first discov-
cred them. Probably never again in
all her life would she hold in her
hand so much wealth and beauty.
Accordingly she unwound the hand
kerchief and opened the box.
There lay the glistening heap of
treasure, respondent in the sunshines
far more gorgeous spectacle than she
had realized
Going to the bureau, Sylvia took out
the jewels, one by one.
She clasped the diamonds about her
neck; fastened the emerald brooch in
place; put on the sapphire pendant;
then added the rings and looked at her.
self in the gold-framed mirror.
What she saw reflected dazzled her.
Who would have believed jewels could
make such a difference in ones APP
pearance? They set off her blond
beauty so that she was suddenly trans
formed into princess.
Slowly, and with conscious coquetry,
like preening bird, she turned her
head this way and that, delighting in
the GREATNESS Of the neck the gems
encircled, and in the fairness of her
golden curls.
She really ought to have jewels. She
was born for them and could carry
them off. There were myriad women
Ia LAC WIN Oh WuODu OuCu
would be wasted-good and worthy
women, too.
Then voice interrupted her reverie.
1t was Stanley Heath calling.
She heard Marcia reply and come
hurrying upstairs.
Guiltily Sylvia took off her sparkling
regalia; tumbled it unceremoniously
into its case; and Slipped it into the
drawer underneath a pile of night
dresses. Then she softly unlocked the
door and sauntered out
1t was none too soon, for Marcia
was speaking to her.
"Sylvia?"
: "Yes."
"How would you feel about going
over to the village for the mail and to
do some errands? The tide is out and
you could walk. Prince needs rum"
I'D love to CO."
"That's fine. Here is list Of things
we need at the store. You're sure you
don't mind going?"
"No, indeed. / shall enjoy being
out"
Then suddenly Sylvia had an inspira-
ton which she instantly acted upon.
"Why don't you go?" she inquired.
"You didn't sleep much last night, and
a walk might do you good"
"Oh, l couldn't" objected Marcia
with haste. "Ive hundred and one
things to do. Thanks, just the same"
"Well, you know your own business
best. Is this the list?"
"Yes. There are quite few items,
but they won't be heavy. Here is the
basket. Prince will carry it. That is
his job and very proud he is of doing
it. Good-by, DEAR"
"She's dreadfully anxious to get us
out Of the way, isn't she, Prince?"
commented young Sylvia as she and
the setter started out over the sand.
"Now what do you suppose she has
on her mind? She's up to something.
Marcia isn't bit of an actress. She's
too genuine"
Marcia, standing at the window
watching the girl, would have been as
tonished enough had she heard this
astute observation.
She did want Sylvia out of the way.
The girl had read her correctly.
She must telephone the messages to
the stationmaster at Sawyer Falls, the
adjoining town where the railroad
ended and the nearest telegraph sta
ton was.
She got the line and had no sooner
dictated the kilograms than she heard
Heath's voice.
During the interval that had elapsed
since she had left him, both of them
had experienced a reaction and each
was eager to make amends.
Marcia regretted her fiippancy. 1t
had been childish of her to give way
to pique and punish Heath simply be-
cause it was proved he had a wife.
Why should he not be married? No
doubt the absent Mrs. Stanley Heath
was a dashing, sophisticated beauty,
too, who lived in luxury at the great
city hotel to which the first wire had
been sent.
Heath had been quite frank about the