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

"" $500 IL ~ y
face Sylvia had never seer there-a
light OF battle; a fierceness as of a
mother fighting for her child; a puz-
zllng quality to which no name could
he given.
Suddenly. as the girl studied her,
recognition OF this new characteristic
flashed upon her understanding. II
was lovel
Anger, perhaps terror, had forced
Marcia into betraylng a secret no other
power could have dragged from her.
what proof have you?" Marcia de-
manded.
Elisha shifted from one foot to the
other.
I've seen the Jewels" he whispered.
They're herein this room, under
that brick. I've seen EN-"
With finger pointing dramatically
toward the hearth. Elisha strobe for
ward.
Sylvia, however, sprang before him.
standing 'twixt him and his goal.
What a ridiculous story, Mr.. Wins
low - she cried. what a fantastic
yarn! DO you imagine for one
there could be anything hidden under
those bricks and Marcia and / not
know 1t? Why, one or the other of us
has beer in this room every instant
since Mr.. Heath arrived. When could
he get the chance to hide anything?
There Is nothing here, Mr.. Winslow,
truly there Is nothing. | swear It."
Nevertheless. let him look, Sylvia.
Let them both look"
"Please-please, Marcia"
Sylvia was upon her knees now on
the hearth. and the men, hesitatlng to
remove her by force, halted awkward
ly.
Marcia regarded her first with star
tied incredulity-then with GOODNESS.
SO Sylvia loved Heath. too!
She was fighting for him-hghting
with all her feeble strength.
A pang wrenched the older woman's
heart.
What II Heath had played a double
game-made love to Sylvia as he had
made love to herr II so-if the man
were a mountebank the ooner they
both found II out-the sooner the
world knew 1t, the better.
II, on the other hand, he was limo
cent. he should have his chance.
The older woman ven to the side
of the pleading figure.
Get up. Sylvia" she said. The
sheriff must search. He must do his
duty. We have no right to prevent It."
Her face was pale, her lips tightly
set.
The brick was lifted out.
A smothered cry escaped Sylvia and
was echoed.
"Why-land alive-there's nothin'
here!" gasped the sheriff.
II told you there was nothing !" Syl-
via tainted. beginning to laugh hys-
terically.
"Wal, Lish. all | can say is you must
either "a peer wool gatherin' or
dreamin' when you conceived this
yarn" Eleazer jeered.
II warn't," Kissed Elisha, stung to
the quick. Il warn't dreamin'. Them
Jewels was there. | saw 'em with my
own eyes. swear to heaven | did"
He confronted Sylvia. They was there.
young lady. warn't they7 You know
they was. That's why you was so scairt
for me to look. You've seen EN-. Deny
1t II you dare
"Of course | deny It,"
"Humph But Marcia won't. You
can lie If you want to save the skin
of that good-for-n othin' critter upstairs
though what purpose is served by
your dom 1t | can't see. But Marcia
won't If she says them jewels warn't
here I'll believe 1t. Come now, Marcia.
Was there ever diamonds an things
under this brick or warn't there?'
yes"
you saw emp
AS II the admission was dragged
from her, Marcia formed, but did not
utter, the word:
"Yes."
.4Therel Then | amt gone daffyl
What | said was true" Elisha ac-
claimed. rising In triumph and snap
ping his finger at Eleazer.
The jewels were MIR. Heath's. He
hid them for safe keeping"
"A likely story! He stole 'em-that's
what he did"
Prove It," challenged Marcia, with
sudden spirit, a spot of crimson burn
Ing on either cheek.
Prove it?" Elisha was taken aback.
wal, | can't at the moment do that.
can't prove 1t. But eve II | can't,
can make out a good enough case
against him to arrest him on suspicion.
That's what | mean to do-that's what
| come for an what I'll do fore
leave this house"
"Mr. Heath is sick"
4 guess he amt so sick but what
! can go up an cross-examine him."
II ask you not to GO. | forbid it"
Law. Marcia !"
II forbid It," repeated the Oma
Drop this matter for a day or two.
Elisha. Mr.. Heath shall not leave the
house. | promise you that. Leave him
here in peace until he is well again.
When he Is able to-to-go with you
| will telephone. You can trust me
When have ever beer false to my