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Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SUNT) AY MORNING. AUGUST 13, 1922. The Romance-o- f a Million Dollars TBS STORt TEUS FAR. VNBARTOS-KSNr- S millions have I been left mth hit widow, in trust far two n ephews, Brock end West, end niece. Belle. They ere to divide the fortune provided none commit e crime end Brock hat been reared thief! Mrs. BrnntO twins Jewels ere stolen and flOOjDOO end tome gem disappear from beneath Mrs. , Dunbarton-Ken- t Mrs. mysterious pillow. m Brock end Smith ere inspected, but he denies elL Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t centers her efforts on recovering the gems, forcing Brock to leave, end protecting the family nemo. Into this atmosphere of mystery end a picion walks lovable Mane Angouleme, war heroine, to become cheuffeute for She learnt the famMrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t. third ily secrets from AUen Colfax, nephew, when the discovert him embracing Belle end when the demands the reason for her own cold treatment by the household. Marie finally wins the affecend is intion of Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t vited to .become a member of the family ; West proposes and is rejected, at Marie hat been attracted, despite herself, to the somber Brack. On the morning the moves to Kent House she finds a revolver in her room, end a note reading; Carry this wherever you go; you may need it." At dinner Brack subtly warns her of danger. Ir NINTH INSTALLMENT. $400,000 in Jewels! bad undressed and had carefully disposed of her red (own. pondering meanwhile an entirely new idea: Perhaps Breck was a little insane? West deemed to think that h was. That would explain many things: Breck's brooding, withdrawn look and the string' things he said and did. Probably from tha time he was a child ha had not been altogether right in his mind.' Think of the life he had lived, a neglected boy, locked up in prison, where he must have brooded. His uncle must have had a good Influence upon him, but that had not been for long. There had been no one to care for him, and he .had begun to steal again. Then those fearful years in a German prison! Perfectly sane men had lost their minds under such privations and sufferings. Men came out of prisons with faces carven and still like Breck's and minds quite MJ changed. And those who were unbalanced had strange hatreds. Breck seemed to hate West. Whenever he looked at West his eyes were like a knife. It was terrifying, the way in which he had looked when he said, " If one And wanted to drown ones enemy the warning way in which he said, " Book the roadster over well before you ride in it, He wanted to frighten Marie Angouleme. West and he wanted to frighten her. He had given her the pistol in a secret and terrifying way. He was trying to frighten her sway from Kent House, and instigating him was Mrs. Smith. She would use s man who was not quite sane. She was capable of anything. Hot and at the same time shivering, Marie locked her door, then got into bed and gathered the covers about her. Her heated brain after question. Why did Bella's height and Jong lines remind her constantly of Mrs. Smith? She had not noticed Bella particularly that first day when Gibbs bad brought her into the library. Bella had been seated at a distance, and ever since she had seen her only when she was wearing her veil and her long fur eoah But the moment she saw her in the Colfax house without her coat she bad reminded her vividly of Mra Smith. It was strange, that hateful womans resemblance to Bella and Breck light eyes with black lashes like Brecks and a body liks Bella's, long and strong and evolved question graceful. Then came tormenting thoughts. Breck must meet Mra Smith often and secretly. Doifbtlees he loved her passionately, at Bella loved Colfax. Most likely Mrs... Smith had not really gone away, but was hidden In her house. Certainly Bredk had been going to meet her that night when ah was playing ths plana She was going out to meet him, that was why she was putting oa her furs Mari was so tease and excited that when some one knocked on her door her heart leaped into her throat and she could Neither speak nor mova She found her voice only when the knock was repeated. " Who Is it? she asked. Hav you gone to bed? It was Mra Dunbarton-Kent- , . Marie hurried to let her In and Mra Dunbarton-Kent closed the door, then looked Marie over, her flushed face and wide eyes t and her little figure In its nightdress I suppose you were asleep? But it's early, and I want to talk to you, she said. "Get beck into bed, child in sit beside v " you. , She was fully prepared for more trouble She must meet it am best 'she" could. When she saw Marie, looking like a child startled out of sleep, she felt Immeasurably distressed; she was a motherless girl and they had done nothing to guard her from such a maa as Breck. If Maris bad fixed her affection on him there was a hitter heartache . in store for her. r" Mrs. Maries Dunbarton-Ken- t r; h- - I'll sit hers beside you, she repeated. 1 simply wanted to ask you something." Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent'- s earning was a relief from wretched, terrifying thoughts, and Maris lay as close as possible to the chair drew up to the bed. Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t I am most glad you have coma, madams, she said with flncerity. rT n ! i t t . put her hand on Marie, she said gravely, you know, don't you, that I am fond of you and would stand by you in any trouble? .AL too- that I would never pry into your heart out of mere - Brant-Olwln- curiosity? Maris bracedjjeraelf instantly to answer questions and yet keep her secret; Willetts that must have fold Mra, Dunbarton-Ken- t the also about with had talked she Colfax, Dunbarton-Kent'manner Mrs. spaniel. I am was affectionate, but purposeful. certain of it, madam e, she said gravely. s I want you to tell me then, child, truth fully and honestly do you lovs my nephew, Breck? That question was utterly unexpected. Marie flamed scarlet, but alio she shrank and shivered, and her answer" was Instant: She met Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent- s No, madams; keen look with flushed directness. ' Has he ever made love to you, child? . I am certain that he does not even like ne he has always avoided mi" Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t drew a breath of relief. The shiver that had run through Maries body was as convincing as the shudder that had shaken her when she had told of her experience with Mrs. Smith. But there wsa flushed misery in Marie's eyes as well, and Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t persisted. How do you feel toward him, child? What do you think of him? Marie tried to explain carefully and yet At first, madame, I thought truthfully. Mr. Breck a strange but lovable man, and I felt great pity for what seemed his loneli ness. But now that I know him better I shrink from him. He is too strange. As this evening at dinner, things he says are frightening to me. And at tN same time, as Mr. Weet also feels, I have pity for him thgt he should be as he is. Please excuse me that I speak so of any one In your family, but of my feelings to him I am telling exactly the truth I think of him as an unfortunate man. Marie felt that she was telling the truth; she had covered the face of her love and had buried it alive, perhaps, but she did not realize that. ".Its the beet way to think of him, Mra Dunbarton-Ken- t said. She was tremendously relieved. West had been right to some extent; Breck had ap- pealed to th girls imagination. But there was no mistaking Maries shiver. She had sensed in Breck the things shs did not know and had been repelled. She could rely on Maries instinct and shs could keep her at Kent House. More than half of Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent's consternation had been because ahe would lose Maries companionship. As she had told Marie, she had carried about with her an empty heart. With a sudden stir of affection she slipped her big arm under Marie's shoulders and drew her dose, and, with a caught breath of surprise and joy, Marie flung her arms about her neck. Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t kissed her and Marie kissed her again and again, on both cheeks. TouT sweet, child, Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t whispered, and Marie returned. O, madame, it is all love for you in my heart. I wish to' do only what will make you happy. "Be kind to West, then, child. He has his faults, but at bottom hes a fine sort and he loves you. Outwardly West Is lively and carefree, but hes not a happy men there's a restless craving something about Mm which I have never been able to understate that and an Intense reserve. Love will make a fin man of West, I think. I would like to see one member ef this family happy, and ahe sighed. I will remember, madame, Marie "To make you happy I would do softly. i almost anything. I have great respect for Mr. West and much gratitude, and I think that by and by I shall feel more happy with him. My interest la now entirely centered upon this family, quit as if It were my own, and to you I have absolute devotion. Mrs. Dunberton-Ken-t petted her shoulder. Now go to sleep, she advised. Im glad, weve had this talk its brought us cldser together. I did want to know just how you there Send her anywhere that's a distance from here clear away from all this mess'." ' You talk as if she were a bale of goods' Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t retorted with sudden Ive offered her a home with exasperationme, I tell you. The child has a mind of a will of her-owI can't pack her own-an- d her off, hither and yon, at my pleasure! She wouldn t accept Sven her traveling exShe wouldnt penses she's Independent. stay here if she didn't think that she's earn lng her keep. If I showed her that I didn't . want her here she'd go into town and work, and thats the worst possible thing she could do Tou see, West. she said mors calmly. I went over the w hole situation with Haslet t. He thinks it would be a great mistake to let her leave Kent House. Of course, he fakes a lawyers view: he says that to let her fall by any chance into the handa of Mra. people would be fatal; that aha could give them the clew they want. He advised me to keep her here and to attach her to me; make her our friend in every poasible way. God knows, I haven't in offering acted out of mere her a home; I love the child, Nevertheless' I realized that Haslett was talking aenaa And, West, Breck's a crook, liks hla father, but I wont believe for a moment that he'd do a bodily harm to that child. He wouldn't do it. That woman might, if she were in terror of capture, as she was on the train, but I don't believe shed do it deliberately thered be too much danger la it for herself. Im sorry yours worried, but Marie is going to stay hers. If between ua we cant She ended protect her were a poor lot. with a decision that dismissed appeal. " Perhaps you're right, you and Haslett, West said doubtfully, but I shall be anxious about her I cant help It ha looked ugly this evening. Keep watch over her. West. And make her car for you thats ths Important thing. West was studying the lira If only there was some way out of this trouble! Those damned Jewels! Aunt Bulah, I havent meddled with suggestions or advice; Haslett is much more capable of advising than I am; but Ive thought for some time that there might be a way out What way? she asked quickly, Ransom the Jewels. It mokes mo tick its putting apremium on crime hat isn't it the only taay oat for aif I believe it's what they're playing for their deep game. Hasn't Easlettever suggested it?" hesitated. "HasMrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t lett has more than suggested it West shs said finally. What do you mean? He made Breck the offer after we talked, the morning after Marie was hurt - shoulder and looked Into her eyes. "Never, madams. By Elizabeth Dejeans 'It was strange, that hateful woman's resemblance to Bella and Brick. felt toward Breck. who is an anxiety to us all. Owing to circumstances, when you first cams here, and for which Im sorry enough now, you saw more of Brecjk than of any one else. I got into a panic after dinner, thinking that perhaps the reason you didnt respond to West was because you might have taken a fancy to his cousin. I might have known better your instinct is pretty true. Im a plain spoken old woman, I dont know how to be anything else, so out I came with my question, Shi patted Maries shoulder But its all right now. again. Marls wished that she could tell her everyShe laid her hot cheek against Mra Dunbarton-Kent- s hand. There is ons person whom I know I lpve, she said tensely, " and that is yourself. thing. Mrs. Good-nigh- child, good-nigh- And a big body, Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t I hurt vour supplemented a little dryly. artistic sense a thousand times a day. But thats neither here nor there Maries quaint -- a suo-etnctl- '"Surely." "A week from Friday, thats No! t, t. When Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t returned to th library West was pacing the floor. It was a perturbed face he turned on her when she entered. In all her experience with West end he had been part of her household since he wss twenty Mra Dunbarton-Kehad never 'seen him look as he did now. Since Marie had taken hold on him he had shown more genuine feeling than she 'had observed in him in all the years she had known hlqn. He was ao evidently suffering that she felt a stir of affection for him. . nt She dosed the door behind her. Its all The right. West, she said reassuringly. honest little soul told me the truth, as I knew she would, and she related exactly what Marie had said. She shivered when she talked of Breck, and it was more convincing even than what she said. She'll avoid him; you have nothing to fear, ao quiet down. West had quieted. He drew a long breath. relief! Thank heaven, you didn't ! rage at her. I had no intention of raging at her, Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t said with feeling. If was between them I was to anything 'there blame I let Haslett have his way. I didn't 4 forget that for a moment. Ive liked the child from the beginning I loved her tonight. Ive had little enough affection fce- s towed on me these last few years. I've felt a desolate old woman since your uncle died. Tou shall have your chance. West; If she grows to care for you, well and good; marry her and be happy I shall rejoice over it. Its a , began,, then Dunbarton-Ken- t TesJ he did. He went to the farm and took Breck aside and made him the offer four hundred thousand; the full value of the jewels. I gave my consent to his doing it it was his advice. West asked What did Breck say? scarcely above hla breath. Haslett said that Breck looked at him without any expression at all, except that the muscles in his face twitched. Then Breck turned his back on him and walked away not one word. God! Think of West had flushed hotly. it being possible to offer 'such an insult to a Dunbarton Kent! listen. "IU " paused J Mrs.1 to Some one knocked. West T' It sound like Gibbs' go," he said. circumspect the door. West was knock bad Ths night and he rose and went to tap, right; it was Gibbs whose gentle interrupted their conference. watchman is asking to see Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent- , sir A-- he announced, and Weet saw Willetts looming behind Gibbs portly body. ' Its Willett, Aunt Bulah, West said. "Tell him to com in, ah answered, More trouble, I suppose! apprehensively. Gibbs gave way to Willetts and vanished in the direction of the pantry. West stepped out into the hall, looked up the stairway, and into the adjoining rooms, then returned to the library, dosing the door behind him. "Nobodys shout out there. Aunt Bulah. Ill leave you two to talk. No; stay." Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t said, Willetts has something impor-- 4 anxiously. -- ' enough to satisfy your liking for the unusual, so go ahead and win her. then make a home somewhere for yourselves. I will," he said firmly. "Thats exactly what I want to do. But, Aunt Bulah, I'm It mad me feel ill, Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t said in a thick whisper. "Haslett still desperately anxious'1 They had spoken lU when he come back to ms. looked After in low tones, now he dropped his voice to a Dunbarton-Kentto he me. said a hes oil, whisper. " Breck has some object in talking The proposal was that Breck waa to find and acting as he did tonight. Ive been trythe Jewels for me, turn them over to me in any safe way he could devise, and receive ing to think It out, an I'v decided that be tant to tell us. the reward 1 offered. In return he must bind is afraid of Marie he wants her out of the Its mors a suspicion of min than anyhimself to go to Europe and stay there qnd way. He must know that she recognized Willetts explained. thing, Just Im Dunbarton-Kent'- s Mrs. big keep straight Mra Smith that night in the park. Cercertain that many a night when we' pretty shook and with Breck 'disgust anger. body tainly the woman must have told him about thought Breck safe in his room hes been would still be his uncle's heir, between us out. quite likely la town or at the RmttH her experience on the train, and they are be would we law ail end shieldevading the house, or anywhere else he chose to go. both of them keen enough to have made ing a criminal, but anything, anything rather Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t looked startled and than the thing thats coming now: public the connection. They are afraid of her. West ssked, gravely, "What makes you old our name will soiled as it good disgrace, And I'm afraid for her. Bee It was trying think sor be. the misery to you and Bella, and Kent to terrify her tonight I think shes in ac"Well, there was something happened last The tears had gathHouse a byword! . or yesterday rather th Utils girl tual danger. night conor ered in her eyes. I wrong, Right s spaniel pup Into the garage. Shed brought The look of grim distress returned to Mra sented, West and Breck turned the .been out walking up on the High Rood, and f Dunbarton-Kent- s face. posal down. Haslett Is in search of Mrs. They wouldn't Colfax waylaid her and gave her the dog. Smith. He says he hasnt given up hope dare to hurt her, she said anxiously, When we came back from my driving you 'tijof some solution, but Im simply waiting for Their kind will dare almost anything to the dressmakers, Mra Dunbarton-Ken- t, Inevitable She a drew huge quivering ths to remove an obstacle. That incident on missed her from the garden and was out I Giving Marie a home, such as it la, sigh. the train would be a telling bit of evidence looking for her and saw Colfax talking to has been a pleasure I've been lick for a bit her and saw her bring away th dog. It Mrs. Smith. sunshine. as of Haalett against I believe, was all right enough," Willets added quickly, s West patted her hand sympathetically, his does, that either she had Mrj. for Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent- s brow bod darkface grave. " Dont give up like that. Aunt jewels with her on the train, or she ened. I was there sad saw it all, Colfax Bulah. He looked thoughtfully at the firs had made some Journey connected with Just nosing about as usual and of course and there was silence for some moments. ' to get her into trouble with you over them." Then he said with conviction, Its sicken- wanting hie having given her the dog. Besides, she If only w could get the Jewels into our ing to think of. but Hasletts proposal was a told me about it; that ahe didnt wont to Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken- t hands move in the right direction, only he didn't said longtalk to him and wouldn't answer his quesapproach.the right person. ingly. tions and didnt wont to listen to his griev" What do you mean. West?" "Tea, I know. But, Aunt Bulah, Im ance. Th Uttle girl all right, WUleta He should have made his offer to Mra. Dont keep thinking of Marie, he urged. Th baby spaniel appealed said positively. her here. I don't want harm to come to hef. Smith. to her, thats ell she's been pretty loneI don't want her to-- , be mixed up .in any Mrs. Dunbarton-Kestared at him. some. She told me about it; shes all right. How could be? It would be fearfully danexpos there may be. I love her. Aunt This morning when th pup was gone she Bulah cant you understand? He was Ws have only suspiclonetogo on. gerous! thought it had gotten out of the garage ' Nevertheless she is the on to bargain tensely earnest. eom way and had gone back to Colfax Hall." I know, West, she said distress edly, West had been eyeing him keenly. It was ylth. They know they are in imminent dan" but where could ahe go where she would ger; they're just as anxious to turn those evident that WUletts was still another friend be aa safe as ahe is here? I talked that over Marie bad made. " Certainly shes all right, jewels Into money os you are to receive with Haslett the morning after she was them Intact and return them secretly to though you didnt always think so, be said. Mrs. Brant-Olwihurt, and it was his advice to keep her here Dont you see, Breck We dont need to discuss that; Just go on with me. I was considering you, too. Here Isnt going to risk losing his inheritance ' with your atory. you can be in the same house with her. hell be careful to maintain his Innocence. To Be Continued. 1 " Send her to Canada 111 follow her Of course he turned down your proposal. Copyrisht: 1922; BrVuMbtlh Bejeaoa ,' $ patted her cheek then and smoothed her hair. Dunberton-Ken- t' But if you dont succeed the child shall have a home with me. When the time comes, sa it will, when we cant hold up our heads hers on the north shore, she shall go with me If she wants to. West smiled at her. Tou have a big Aunt heart. Bulah. s But Mrs. Smith won't Theyve counted oa your making some such offer theyrs clover crooks. Shell demand a stiff sum, hut with . it divided between them, or shared. Brock .jjlll cease to trouble ua Hell go. Perhaps Haslett )uyd something ef ths kind in mind when he said that tbs ons thing was to find Mrs. Smith? Mra Duw barton-Ken- t asked quickly. Of courss he did. Think of being rid of this incubus. Aunt Bulah, if it can bs settled in that way Ill contribute some thing toward the ransom tell Haalett so. Go see him talk to him yourself, Weet. I have kept out of it ao far, but I wrill , West said with decision. I suppose we can find a safe way of returning the Jewels if were fortunate enough to get them. she added with a sigh. As wss characteristic of West, he indulged in at least an outward light heartsdnesa " a safe way! Drop them down her chimney, tie them to her door knob, let bar come out from trying on a thousand dollar gown and find them on the seat of her Then h said longingly, Litlimousine. tle Marie and I and a clear future Its too much to hop for. Dont worry. Aunt Bulah, he said, affectionately. "Right is might, after alL One might question the 'right' of what rewere doing. vMra Dunbarton-Ken- t Brant-Olwiwould Mra turned, grimly. probably have a different opinion, I She. loves her pearls," Weet said, Then,' "I didn't tell you. I was afraid youd worry, but shes back shs me just before dinner. looked anxioua "X Mra Dunbarton-Ken- t did hope she would stay away, ni have to call on her, and Im a poor dissembler. "I'd be as friendly to her as possible, Ehe feels that you've never West advised. her your social countenance. given really It may help us In tha future. I've always liked the little woman." sat thinking far Mra Dunbarton-Ken- t time. Then she announced abruptly, The thing I ought to do it would make a friend of her Is to give her a party. The right sort. West a dinner dance, with all ths people Included who have held oft from hert ' rd make them come and be charming to her. It would be a triumph for her she'd forgive our family a good deal. If ever I have to ask a favor of her." Weet considered a moment. "Well why not? he decided. "Do it. TU get some men out from town men she'd like to ., , meet. meet him. her Haslett have "Til have Its just ss well she should meet him and like him." -- Brant-Ol-win- nt , t- - |