1 By Sara Ware Bassett 7 Copyright by The Penn Pub, Co WNU Service mn —- == SYNOPSIS The future of the still youthful and comely “Widder” Marcia Howe, recently released by death from her idling, pelf- {sh husband, is a conversational tit-bit among housewives of the little hamlet of Wilton. Eligible bachelors and wid- owers also are interested. Marcia, de-~ epite her unfortunate matrimonial ex perience, finds pleasure in her life, but {s lonely at times, and has invited her late husband's niece, Sylvia Hayden, whom she has never seen, to visit her. The girl arrives and Marcia takes to her at once, while Sylvia, expecting to see a somewhat elderly aunt, finds Mar- cia more like a sister. A slranger, on the verge of exhaustion, finds his way to Marcia's home. He explains that his power-boat ran aground in the fog. Secretly, he asks Marcia to hide a pack- age containing jewelry. She does so. Elisha Winslow, town sheriff, brings news of a jewel robbery on a neigh- boring estate. The stranger gives his name as Stanley Heath, CHAPTER IV-—Continued wos — Far from demanding explanations, she resolved she would give him no chance to make them. Therefore, when his meal was ready and every last inviting touch had been given the tray, she sald casually to Sylvia: “Suppose you take it up, dear?” “im *Yes, Why not? Do you mind?" “Not at all. I just thought perhaps you'd rather.” Marcia shook her head. “I want to stir the Newburg and see it doesn’t catch,” she explained, avold- ing the girl's eyes. “We are too hun- gry to risk having our dinner spoiled. You might just wait and cut the chops for Mr. Heath and fix his potato. Find out, too, if there is anything more he wants, You needn't hurry back. I'l keep things hot.” The task suggested did not, appar ently, displease Sylvia. “Here goes Red Ridinghood,” she murmured, taking up the tray. “All is, if I don't come back, you'll know the wolf has eaten me.” In spite of herself, Marcla smiled. She opened the dor and stood watch- ing while the girl ascended the stalrs, for the hall was unlighted and the tray heavy. “I'm safe,” called a merry volce from the topmost stair. Marcia came back into the kitchen. She finished preparing the lobster, straightened the silver on the table, and let in Prince Hal. Ten minutes passed! Fifteen! Half an hour went by. She fidgeted and stooped to pat the setter. Then she went to the win- dow. Slowly the fog was lifting. By afternoon the weather would be fine— just the right sort to get the boat off. She would go up the beach and watch the men while they worked. The house was close, She longed for air and the big reaches of the out-of-doors, A Jingle of glass and silver! It was Sylvia returning with the tray. Her eyes were shining. “He ate every bit!" she cried. “Yon should have seen him, Marcia. Tt would have done your heart good. The poor lamb was almost starved. He asked for you the first thing. I don't think he altogether liked your not carrying up the tray, although of course, he was too polite to say so.” “You explained I was busy?” “Yes. But at first he didn't seem satisfied with the excuse. However, he soon forgot about it and became gay as a lark. Didn't you hear us laughing? The potato would fall off the fork. I'm not as good a nurse as you. My hands weren't so steady. I'm going back again for his wet clothes. We can dry them here by the fire, can’t we?” “Yes, indeed” “It's a pity there isn't a tallor at hand. His sult ought to be pressed.” “I can do It," Marcia declared with eagerness. “I'm quite used to pressing men's clothes, I always pressed Ja- son's.” This time the name dropped unno- ticed from her lips. Indeed she was not conscious she had uttered it. She was not thinking of Jason, » * * » . * * Sylvia was glad Heath was asleep very glad indeed. She did not be grudge him a moment of his slumber, But what a delightful person he was when awake! His eyes were wonder ful—so dark and penetrating. They bored right through you. And then he listened with such intentness, watch- ing every curve of your lips as If fearing to lose a word. Such attention was distinctly flattering. Even though your chatter was trivial, he dignified it and transformed It Into something of importance, How Interested, for example, he had been In Marcia; In learning she had been married and now lived a widow in the old Daniels Homestead! And what a host of Inquiries he had made about Jason—the sort of man he was and how long ago he had died! Sylvia had not been able to answer all his questions, but of course she had asserted that Marcia had adored her busband because—well, not so much because she actually knew it, as be- cause widows always did. Certainly Marcia had declared she loved the Homestead so deeply she never in- tended to leave It, and was not that practically the same thing as saying she loved Jason, too? Anyway, the thing that really mat tered was Mr, Heath's Interest in her Bylvia; In her trip ®ast and her de scription of Alton City, the little mid- western town which was her home. How he had laughed at her rebelllon at being a school teacher, and how In- sidlously he had hinted she might not always be one! Oh, he knew what to say—knew much better than Blllle Sparks, the soda fountain clerk, or even Horatlo Fuller, the acknowledged beau of the town, In fact he made both of them seem quite commonplace—even Hortle. Fancy it! Probably that was because he had traveled, Apparently he had been almost everywhere—except to Alton City. Odd he should never have been there when he had visited just about every other corner, both of America and Europe. Not that he had deliberately sald so. He was far too modest for that, It was while trying to find out where his home was that she had stumbled upon the information. And come to think of it, she did not know now where he lived, she suddenly remembered. She actually did not know whether he had a father or a mother; a brother or a sister. So occupled was she with her thoughts she had not thought once of Prince Hal. In fact she had supposed that he had gone up the beach with Marcia. Now she suddenly became aware that he stood sniffing about the hearth, scratching at Its surface as if he scented something beneath. He must not do that, and she told him so In no uncertain terms, Never- theless, In spite of the rebuke, he con- tinued to poke away at the spot, whining falutly, until his persistence aroused her curiosity and she went to see what disturbed him. “What is it, Prince? What's the mat- ter? whispered she. Delighted to have gained her atten- tion, the dog barked. “Oh, you mustn't bark, darling,” she cautioned, muzzling his nose with her i! fi [lige “Here Goes Red Ridinghood™ hand. “You'll wake Mr. Heath. Missy what the trouble Is smell a mousie under there?” For answer the dog wagged his tall “1 don't believe it.” Sylvia demurred. “You're only bluffing. Well, to con- vince you, I'll take up the brick.” Fetching from the pantry a steel fork, she inserted the prongs In the crack and pried the offending brick out of its hole, Instantly the dog snatched from the space beneath a handkerchief con taining a small, hard object. Sylvia chased after him. “Bring it here, Hal! That's a good dog! Bring it to Missy.” The setter came fawning to her side and unwillingly dropped his prize at her feet. As It fell to the ground, out rolled such a glory of jewels the girl could scarcely believe her eyes There was a string of diamonds, dazzling as glant dewdrops; a pear! and sapphire pendant; several beautl ful rings; and an oval brooch, Its emerald center surrounded by tier after tier of brilliants. Sylvia panted, breathless. She had never seen such gems, much less held them In her hands. How she longed to slip the rings upon her fingers and try the effect of the diamonds about her glender throat! Prudence, however, overmastered the impulse. Marcia might return and sur. prise her at any moment. Before that the treasare must be returned to the place from which it had been taken. Gathering the rainbow heap together, she reluctantly thrust it into its blue leather case, snapped the catch, and placed it once more under the brick. Then with rellef she stood up and wiped the perspiration from her fore head. It was not until she was again In her chair, book In hand, and struggling to quiet her quick breathing that she dis- covered she still held in her hand the Tell Do yon about the jewel case. It was a man's handkerchief of finest She had known it all the time! was no need to be told the his. What puzzzled her d found time to hide fe estate, escaped In his speed boat and here he was—here, under this very roof! A robber-—that was what he was! A robber-—a bandit, such as one saw in the movies! cinating manners, man burglar. All up-to-date villains in these days were gentlemen, Not that she had ever encountered a villain in the flesh. Stil, He was a gentle moving-pleture? They were not diffi. cult to recognize, thief In the room overhead! it! ing! criminal. at this Instant detectives and crime inspectors were chasing up and down the highways; dashing through cities; and keeping telephone wires hot In upstairs! Why, that very morning had not Ell- sha Winslow, the Wilton sheriff, who had frankly admitted he yearned for excitement, helped undress the wretch and put him comfortably to bed? The humor of the situation almost over came her, It seemed as If she must have some- one to share the joke. But no one should. No! Nobody should be the wiser because of her, The poor, hunt- ed fellow should have his chance, It was a little venturesome and risky, she admitted, to obstruct justice and should she be found out she would, without doubt, be clapped Into jail Still she resolved to take a chance, After all, who could prove she had known Stanley Heath to be what he was? Nobody. She would not even let him suspect it The important thing was to await an opportunity and soon—before he was able to be about--return the hand kerchief she held In her hand to its place beneath the brick. Then all would be well. This should not be dif- ficult. It would be quite easy to get Marcia to take up Mr. Heath's supper, In the meantime, the situation was intensely amusing. Its danger ap- pealed to her. She had always en- joyed halr-breadth escapades. Any- thing but dullness. That had been the trouble with Alton City—it had been dull—deadly dull But Wilton was not dull. In spite of the fact that only this morning Elisha Winslow had complained the town was in need of a stirring up, It seethed with electricity. If she chose, she could hurl a bombshell into Its midst this very minute. But she did not choose. Instead she Intended to play her own quiet game and keep what she knew to herself. She wondered why. Per. haps she was falling in love with this adventures. Yes, that must be it. She was In love with him—in love with a bandit! Sylvia's Imagination had traveled so swiftly and so far that it came to earth with a crash when Marcia opened the door, It was not alone the buffeting of the salt breeze nor the exhilaration of walking sgainst it that bad trans formed her into something radiantly lovely, From within glowed a strange fire that made her another creature altogether. *Why-—why-—Marcla!” breathed Syl via, bewildered “I've had such a glorious walk, dear!” cried Marcia. “The fog has lifted and the sky Is a sheet of amethyst and gold.” “Did the men get the boat off 7” “Yes. She is floating tranquilly as dove.” “What is her name?” “My Unknown Lady." “Mercy on us! That ought to satisfy even Elisha” “It did,” sald Marcia, CHAPTER V Sylvia's plans, so well lald and ap parently so easy of execution, did not, to her chagrin, work out, for instead of awaking and demanding supper Stanley Heath slept without a break untill morning. Sun was tinting the lavender sands to rose and gilding the water with its first flecks of gold when she saw Mar- cla standing at the foot of her bed. “Mr. Heath has a high fever and can scarcely speak aloud,” explained she. “I'm afraid he Is quite {IL I wish you'd eall up Doctor Stetson” “Mercy on us!" The girl, drowsy and heavy-eyed, sprang out of bed “I'll be down In just a minute,” she exclaimed, “How dv you happen to be up so early?” “I've been up off and on sll night” answered Marcia, “Mr, Heath was rest. less and thirsty. About midnight I heard him tossing about, and thinking he might be hungry, I heated some broth and took it to him. He declares he is going back to New York today.” “But he can't—he mustn't.” | “He is determined to. He says he has something very important to at- tend to, Of course I have no author. ity over him but perhaps Doctor Stet- son can exert some. That is why I am | anxious to reach him before he goes out,” explained Marcia, moving toward the door, ; “1 will call him right away.” “I'l go down and start breakfast, then. Mr. Heath Is dozing. He has promised not to get up for at least an hour. We must have the doctor here within that time" “I'll tell him to hurry.” Marcia tiptoed down the stalrs, (TO BE CONTINUED) A sary, outfits, ail divide assemble the is to to wardrobe way important it into make to haves," which venture, “would like Hand- the *look™ of wool, are the last In smart fabrics. Don't overlook, espe cially, the pew spun silks which have a rustic jocking rough surfaced texture These noll silks, as they are some times called, are practically crushless, and though they look like wool they are much cooler for early fall days and steam heated class rooms. They launder nicely, The girl seated in the litle Inset pleture Is off to class in a strictly tatiored frock of plaid noll slik which, to look at, you would think was wool The dress buttons down the hack and has cuffs and Peter "an collar of pique The shirtwalst dress Is full of bright fdeas this fall. Round yokes Jeweled or fancy metal buttons. fur Peter an collars glorify the new silk models Skirts have silk peats; box pleats placed just above the knee all around are new and girlish looking. ton, The two -plece type of dress vies with one-plece styles. Perfect for campus wear is a two piece frock as pictured left in the It I= one of the chic tle silks whirh to the iHlastration made of are having This one is wine color with green dols The blouse and the skirt buttons all the down the front, Prom trotting jet themselves such a pronounced vogue has flap pockets way danghters can really clothes exciting and sophisticated foo, In satin or one of the new metal silks. This year's evening frocks go In for molded badices and waistlines, wide Belts or sashes and fullness spreading and glorl ously young, silk velvet i 3 i gently from the waist. Bodices are tricky. Sometimes they are merely a straight band of the fabric held up by camisole or “shoestring” straps. Again they are built up te cover the front of the throat In elaborately twisted, draped and winged treatments, with iow-back decolletage. Girls adore black. let your daugh- ter wear black In gleaming slipper satin or black velvet and then tell her to hive her bLeau send ber Sowers for her halr Instead of her corsage if she wants to be swish. Daughter will be very grand In 8&8 black slipper prom frock as pictured. It has the high- infront winglike effect above men tioned, contrasting the low-cut decol the back. The shiny belt is allover-stitched, which Is the latest wrinkle for belts letage at » If your young hopeful is going to a dressmager-iype afternoon dresses. For tea ideal Don't merely “satin™ dancing nothin could be more than a black silk satin ensemble, ask salesman for For satisfaction in wear and in and in The dress should have a cowl neck that to daughter. The on lassie the specify silk sat ist upon It means glittering clips jacket should be cut the « with lines of her sports jack patch ans sotched The skirt should come Just be low the break of the calf, Worn with on: of the new babs bonnets of black slik velvet with ostrich plume tips, daughter will be devastating to her “date.” el, pockets lapels © Western Newspaper Union. EVENING ENSEMBLE By CHERIE NICHOLAS Velvet for evening, velvet for day. time, velvet, velvet, velvet! All signs point to a velvet season. The evening ensemble pictured Is of deep red stiff velvet—=a Chanel model. Luxurious marten collar and cuffs add to the glory of this superb creation. Note the button fastening of the gown, Many of the Paris dresses show a down-the front button closing. Often on sheer or lightweight materials dozens upon dozens of tiny buttons are placed as close as possible and the effect is ut: terly feminine and charming. FASHION SIGNALS GREEN FOR AUTUMN Yellow, the sun's own enlor, Is usual ly a summer favorite. This year has been no exception: yellow with brown, yellow with bluck and yellow with green is yellow still. This brings to mind that green Is being wagered on as the follow-up eolor, When utterly satinted with the Idea of enrrent fashions it's a relief to be able to peer into the future. On a re- cent peek, behind the scenes the dis covery was made that green looked good to many manufacturers whose fall lines are in preparation. And why not? It's one of the Renaissance colors and a change from the in. evitable browns, reds and rust. Each sutumn brings a change also from the blues In which we have been steeped all summer, ing green woolen dresses ready to make their shop window debuts. Some of them are sure to win applause, It won't Le long now before shopping throngs will flatten their noses against the plate glass front which shields the cloth<ciad mannequin from the streel. Green, White Jade Having Paris now. One-third of every jewelry shop window Is devoted to fascinating carved necklaces, ping, clips and ear uncarved jade are matched by round jade rings. Knick-knacks of carved jade such as small, fat Buddhas on jet stands, ugly little monkeys and awkward elephants are made In green and white jade and vary in size from tiny miniatures to statuettes of 8 10 inches in height. Fall Fabrics evening clothes include metal fabrics, “cellophane” brocades and lace. w ————| “Time after time,” sald the big. | game hunter, “the lion sprang at me, | and time after time as he leaped I | threw myself forward and he went | harmlessly over my head, Eventual- | ly the animal gave up the attempt | to fell me and trotted off into the | Jungle. The following day I came to | a cliff overlooking the sea, and there | on the beach I saw the same lion, | I stood transfixed at its antics” | “What was he doing?” | “What was he doing?" sald the | hunter, dramatically, “Perhaps you | won't belleve me, but that lion was practicing short jumps.”--Tit-Bits, ————————————————— AS — WHEN THEY SHOW THESE SIGNS — Nervousness, Constipation, and Poor Appetite, check their diets for this all. ou i. ® Many sre nervous, poor in appetite, system out of order, DE their daily ets lack enough of the precious Vie. min B for keeping fir, Few dings Irs them back like a lack of this protective food element. So give everyone Quaker Oats every morning. Because in addition to its gen- erous supply of Vitamin B for keepin fit, it furnishes food-energy, muscle sn body-building ingsedicats. For about }4¢ per dish, Start serving it tomorrow for a 2-weeks rest. Quaker Oats has a wholesome, nut. hike, luscious sppeal to the appetite, Flavory, surpassingly good. All grocers supply it. VITAMIN B FOR KEEPING FIT... 1c worth of Quaker Oats equals Lark Unafraid Although traing roared over it al fay, a lark hatched its eggs unde: the railway line at Oss, Holland, Beaver Farms Beaver farms are to be estab lished in Newfoundland as a colony- development project. :
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers