The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-12-12
CHAPTER XIII-Continued


through her fingers. He was now ask
ing how much she had laid aside and
to her CONSERVATION she found she
had almost nothing.
.She was ashamed to face him.
what could she say?
"She did not know what impulse
nromnted her to take the jewels. She
had never stolen before in all her life
The diamonds had been constantly In
her care and 1t had never occurred TO
her to appropriate them. 1t had been
a sudden, mad temptation created by
the need of money and she had yielded
to 1t without thought. Scarcely were
the gems liz her possession before she
regretted her action and longed TO
undo It. She would have taken them
hack had she not feared the conse-
auences. She begged Julien should
not be told what she had done. II
her crime could be concealed from him
she was willing to make any restitu-
ton / demanded.
perhaps / was sentimental fool.
Anyway | simply could not see 1t my
duty to hand the unhappy creature
over to the authorities destroy Julien
faith In her; wipe out the future she
had set her heart upon. | felt Il
given a chance she would make good
.Promlslng | would remain silent
| pocketed the gems and came away
"Whether | acted rightly or wrongly
/ do not know.
II snnnose nv this time the two are
married and ON their way to france
/ believe Corinne told the truth and
that under other Influences she will be
come an excellent wife and mother
At least she has the opportunity
1.-THE other half of my tale--the hall
! neither foresaw nor planned-is "a
miliar to you.
.The fog that drove me out OF my
course, my subsequent shipwreek anf
illness, the coming Of Currler, our OH
family servant; the chain of circum
stances that brought upon me th'
calamities from which | have just ex
treated myself-these are an oil
story The only thing that now re
mains to clear my sky is for me t
right myself with Marcia
THAT will be easy" smiled Sylvia
II wish | thought So, was Heath
moody answer
Marcia Is no ordinary woman. he
understanding and love are measure
less. Love, Mr.. Heath, forgives
great deal"
Il know 1t does. In that lies m
only hone"
She was not In the house when a
last Stanley Heath overlook her, bu
far up the beach tossing driftwoo
into the surf for Prince Hal to r.
trieve.
The man paused, watching them.
Hatless, her splendid body aglo'
with exercise. Marcia had the freedoI
lete. Yet with all her strength an
muscular ease, there was a grace nj
mistakably feminine In her every NOV,
ment.
When she turned and saw him, sh
uttered faint cry, but she did not a
vance to meet him. Prince Hal di
that, racing up the beach, utterll
shrill yelps of welcome as he came.
A second and the dog was again
Marcia's side, and In this ecstacy ,
delight he continued to run back an
forth until Stanley Heath had covere
the sandy curve that interviewed at
himself stood beside her.
.Marcia-dearest-l have come bas
come to ask your forgiveness.
misjudged you cruelty the night v
parted and In anger spoke words | hi
no right to speak. Forgive me. dea
Forgive me Can your
Il forgave you long ago-before "
asked" she whispered.
"Forgaye without understanding
how like you! But you must not
that. You have more 10 forgive In n
than you Know, Marcia. have be-
proud, unbelieving, unworthy of a 10
like yours. | have made you suffer
suffer needlessly. Listen to what
have to tell and then see If you G
still forgive
Turning, they walked slowly alo
the shore.
Il could have told you about t
jewels and how | came by them at I
outset had | not suddenly conceiv
the idea of teasing you. The plan
conceal my story came to me MS
form of sport-a subtle. psychologist
game. Here | was pitched wthg
ceremony into a strange environme
among persons who knew nothing
my background. What. would II
make of me? How rate me when
off from my real setting? Presolved
try out line experiment. Women
said to be inquisitiye, particula
those living In isolation. My adv
could not but stimulate questions.
thought 1t would be an amusing
venture 20 circumvent not only "
curiosity but also that Of the village
II placed scant dependence Oh I,