Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1936-01-02

the jewel case into her dress q fran
tically restoring the brick to the yawn-
Ing hole In the hearth as best she
could, she fled 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, ut 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, ii 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 gllstening heap Of
treasure, respondent In the sunshine,
a 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 ap-
pearance? They set Off her blond
beauty so that she was suddenly trans
formed into a princess.
Slowly, and with conscious cOquetry,
like a ~preening bird, she turned her
head this way and that, dellghting in
the creaminess 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
In the world on whom such adornment
would be wasted-good and worthy
women. too.
Then a voice interrupted her reverie
1t was Stanley Heath calling.
She heard Marcia reply and come
hurrying upstairs.
Guilty. Sylvia took of her sparkling
regalia; tumbled 1t uncerem0niOusly
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 zone too soon, for Marcis
was speaking to her.
~"Sylvia?"
"Yes."
"How would you feel about goins
over to the village for the mail and Il
do some errands? The tide Is out ant
you could walk. Prince needs a run.
"Td love to CO."
THAT'S fine. Here Is a list of thingI
we need at the store. You're sare 20,
don't mind going?"
mo, indeed. l shall enjoy bein,
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, an,
a walk might do you good"
"Oh, l couldn't" objected Marci,
with haste. 1--WE a hundred and on
things to do. Thanks, just the same.
well, you know your OWE business
best. Is this the list?'
"Yes. There are quite a few items
but they won't be heavy. Here is TIL
basket. Prince will carry it. That |
his job and very proud he is of doinl
it. Good-by, dear"
"She's dreadfully anxious to get u
out of the way, isn't she, Prince?
commented young Sylvia as she an;
the setter started out over the sand
Now what do you suppose she ha
on her mind? She's up to something
Marcia isn't a bit of an actress. She
too genuine"
Marcia, standing at the window
watching the girl, would have been as
tonished enough had she heard thi
astute observation.
She did wan Sylvia out of the way
The girl had read her correctly.
She must telephone the messages +
the stationmaster at Sawyer Falls. til
adjoining town where the railroa'
ended and the nearest telegraph sta
ton was.
She got the line and had no soone
dictated the kilograms than she hear
Heath's voice.
During the interval that had elapse'
since she had left him, both of then
had experienced a reaction and eacI
was eager to make amends.
Marcia regretted her f%ippancy. |
had been childish of her to give wa
to pique and punish Heath simply BIZ
cause 1t was proved he had a wife
Why should he not be married? N
doubt the absent Mrs. Stanley Heat
was a dashing, sophisticated beauty
too, who lived In luxury at the grea
city hotel to which the first wire ha
been sent.
Heath had been quite frank about Tn
message and It's destination. On think
ing matters over, it occurred to Marcel
he might have considered this tn
easiest way to inform her of thing
he found it embarrassing to put Int
words.
And she?
Instead of approaching his honesty