Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1936-02-06

asked If he might come to Wilton for
his summer vacation. He has to know
so he can make his plans"
"The sooner l start, the one l
shall be back, l suppose" Sylvia an
swered with feigned reluctance. Men
are so unreasonable. Any egrands?"
"Not today, thanks. Just the mail"
"I1l wait for It,"
The eagerness betrayed by the reply
left not the slightest doubt that Sylvia
would wait, and gladly.
AS the door closed behind her. Mar
ella smiled whimsically.
She prepared Heath's breakfast tray,
and was about to take it upstairs when
there was a gentle knock at the
kitchen door.
A stranger stood upon the threshold.
as Mr.. Stanley Heath staying here?"
inquired he.
"Yes."
II am Currier. Mr.. Heath sent for
me-"
"Of counsel Come in, won't you?
Mr.. Heath is expecting you. I'll tell
him you are here"
you needn't do that, madam. If
you viii just show me where he is
AT the head of the stairs"
"very good. Thank you, madam.
/ will go up"
Marcia soon heard the invalld's
voice, imperative and eager, each sen
tence ending with an interrogation.
The lapses Of silence which interviewed
and which at first she took to be
pauses, she presently decided repre-
sented the ~inaudible and subdued re
plies of Currier.
To judge from the sounds, Heath
was pouring out an avalanche of ques-
tons. Once he broke into peals OF
hearty laughter, followed by a par
oxysm of coughing.
HE has forgotten all about break
fast" murmured Marcia. an carry
it up"
She mounted the stairs softly that
her coming might break In as little as
possible upon the conversation of her
two guests.
"She was alone in the library when
| went In" Heath was saying, "and
turned so white l feared she might
faint or scream Luckily she did
neither.
"'You know what I'm after | said
the jewels. Come, hand them over
AT that, she began to cry.
"'Qulckly,' l repeated. Someone
may come
with that, she produced the jewel
case, pouring out a torrent of ex-
plantations.
81 stopped no longer than / had to,
l assure you. III 70 time l had made
my getaway. Every detail of my plan
would have gone smoothly but for the
fog. l lost my bearings completely.
Imagine my amazement at finding my
self here"
Marcia waited to hear no more.
So Heath really had taken the jewels
from the resisting woman who owned
them-taken them against her will and
made off with them!
He owned It'll
Nay, more Far from regretting what
he had done, in his tone rang a note
of satisfaction in his accomplishment.
She had never believed him guilty.
Not until she heard the bitter, IRE
vocable confession from his own lips
did she waver, and ever then she bat
tied against the truth, refusing to be
convinced. There must be some ex-
PLANTATION, she told herself. Neverthe-
less, the shock was overwhelming.
Her head swan. Her heart beat
wildly.
II must not give way" she reiter.
ated to herself. Il must put on u
brave front. He must not suspect |
know"
1t took a few moments for her to re
gain her grip on herself, to drag back
her ebbing strength.
Then she knocked at the door.
"Here is your coffee, Mr.. Heath
she called.
Come In, Mrs. Howe. I'm afraid
we've delayed you. l had entirely for
gotten about breakfast and so, I'll be
bound, had Currier. You met my right
hand man down stairs, / take It,"
"You found the house without
trouble?" Marcia inquired, making an
effort to address the newcomer In o
natural, off-hand manner.
"Yes, Mrs. Howe. A young man at
the garage directed me-"
AS Marcia turned to go, her unfail
ing courtesy prompted her to say:
"Mr. Currier Is welcome to stay II ne
wishes to, Mr.. Heath. We can put him
up perfectly we'll"
"Oh. no. He is returning directly
Nevertheless, | greatly appreciate your
kindness"
Mrs. Heath Is anxious" put In Cur
rier. "She begged me to come home
as soon as possible that she might
know how Mr.. Heath was. Naturally
she has been much worried"
"There, there, Currier-that will do
broke In Stanley Heath, flushing. "Ant
now, since Mrs. Howe is here and !!
In our secret, | may as well tell you
that part of the mission on which yoI
came cannot be accomplished. You
cannot take the gems back with yo'
to New York. A calamity has be
fol1ap fhamr