Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1939-04-20


solved.
She slipped into her gray kimono
and opened the third drawer of her
little oak bureau. This drawer con-
tanned mostly aprons. The apron at
the top was green check; all the
others were blue checked She tied
the green one securely and stole
down stairs, not to wake her half
brother, Donald, in his chamber
across the landing,
Janice knew what she meant to
do. Mrs. Falls parlor window was
raised about nine inches from the
SILL She had forgotten to close it
overnight. Janice meant to thrust
in her supple arm and to take from
it's bracket the little Parian marble
image of Ruth among the sheaves
She had coveted this ornament for
two years until the desire for il
had become an obsession.
She had offered her neighbor ev-
erything on her whatnot from the
''Song of the Lark" in a shell frame
to the crocheted basket of bead
blackberries, but Ellen Fall had
steadfastly refused to part with the
treasure, not perhaps because she
valued it so much, but from a mali.
cious satisfaction in withholding it
Ellen was somewhat envious of
Janice'S quiet pleasure in her trim
little home with the neat flower beds
outside and the various adornmentS
within.
Janice glided to the open window.
secured the image, wrapping it
carefully in her apron. and hurried
home.
Now" she thought, Roxy Hol-
den will be here by 10 o'clock, and
she is likely to see anything in the
house and sure to ask questions-I
know-the woodpile!"
Janice moved the heavy chopping-
block, made a hole with the fire
shovel and buried the green bundle
tenderly. Then she replaced the
block and went quietly upstairs for
an hours sleep under her rising
sun quilt. Donald was not yet astir.
Janice was not enjoying her cou-
sins visit as much as she usually
did. AS the two sat on the porch
m the afternoon, Roxy asked i'm
patiently, what in the world are
you looking for, Janice?"
Janice started guiltily. "Why?
What do you mean?"
"You look over at that woodpile
every other minute"
Janice flushed 81 like to look at
those tall pines beyond" she apol-
ogized.
do those pines belong to Hollis
Webber? / thought so. Such pity
you and Hollis had that break-15
years ago, wasn't it? Is it two years
since his wife died? And now his
sister Edith is going to be married
and live out West, and who will take
care OF that pretty little Idella?"
i don't know, Roxy. Idella's a
dear child"
"Hollis is forehanded, isn't hep"
Roxy pursued. Donald is getting
round-shouldered," she added as
the boy passed them whistling.
Eyes. He ought to go to school,
but / don't see my way clear to
manage it yet"
Roxy's keen eyes scrutinized her
cousins face.
Janice" she began.
Janice rose hastily Nov don't
60 to building air castles, Roxy. It's
time to start the fire for supper.
Do you like apple slump as well
as ever?"
Monday afternoon as soon as the
wagon which was taking Roxy to
the station was out of sight Janice
started for the woodpile.
Now for Ruth! I'll put her back
If ever can. l was crazy to take
her."
Strsining, she moved away the
block and prodded with the shovel.
But the apron and the image were
gone. Janice paled with terror.
Had she been watched and fol-
lowed' Was Ellen Fall or some
one else keeping the evidence of her
theft?
She sat down on the porch settle
to think it over. Hollis Weber
drove into the yard.
my harrow is out of commission
gone to the repair shop. Can you
lend me yours for little, Janice?"
"Oh, certainly Keep it as long
as you like"
When the harrow had been
packed, Hollis dropped down on the
porch step. He looked wistfully at
Janice.
Edith is going to leave u.s."
$50 l hear"
Janice" he said abruptly, "you
and ought to have tied up is years
ago."
"Oh, Hollisl Don't say that: il
seems like wronging the dead"
She looked at his strong, kind
furrowed face. Her own was wistful,
too. But what if she were suddenly
branded thief? Wouldn't he
turn from her in horror? Could
she bear the reproachful wonder in
Idella's innocent blue eyes?
Hollis" she said at last, there's
a reason why l can't--a reason I
can't tell you. Don't urge ma