1'HE SUNDAY BEE: OMAHA, AUGUST . 6. 1922.
The Romance of a Million Dollars
(CO.n.4 rm rge .
By Elizabeth I
toasclef in hi cheeks began to
twitch. Suddenly hit hand settled
M her shouldert. "Marie! Tl)t
man was not lying then just to
hurt you? You have faith in trie?"
She looked at him with ihining
eyei. "It is true. I have loved
you from the first day it was ugly
jealousy that made me strange. It
was for your sake that I drove him
way without exposure to your
family."
"And I have loved youl I've
feared for you and agonized over
you I thought you had turned
away from me forever P His face
was a-quiver, like a glassy pool
whose stillness has been suddenly
broken hy a fallen branch. He
caught her up. held her as one
would a rescued child, clasped close,
rejoiced over. He kissed her, eyes
and cheeks, lips and throat, there
were ungucssed depths of emotion
and devotion in Breck Dunbarton
Kent, as in Bella, and a world of
love and tenderness in little Marie.
Her arms about his neck held him
strained; for a few moments life
ended then was born again.
Breck put her down Ungeringly.
"I want my arms about youl" he
said. He stripped off his coat and
laid it across a gap in the wall of
the cottage. He lifted her up and
aat her on her throne, full in the
moonlight; put his arms around
her and laid 'his head in her lap.
"I have longed and longed for you
ever since the time you said, 'Ah,
monsieur, now I know why you
look so sad!' Little one, I was a
thief because I didn't know any
better than to steal. You under
stand, . don't you just ignorance,
just wrong f raining? That reform
school! Why, it was only a place
where I was made to feel that I
was an outcast. And the preacher
who took me from it and used me
to clean his stable and chop his
wood at prayers each day he used
to ask God to havejmercy on the
sinner jn their midst and he would
as Won have touched a toad as my
liana. But my uncle! He brought
love and understanding. I had no
moral sense I barely knew how to
read and- write. He was a big
hearted man and a courtly gentle
man. He told me my mind was
good and he brought - me books.
He naid I had in ntv every good
luatity he possessed, and that he
hoped I had none -of hi bad one,
lie made me laugh and feci happy.
Whenever he came he shook hand
with me. I loved him I worshiped
him. When they let me tit he
took me to the Maine woods with
him, to hunt and fish. Think what
that was to me, a gamin grown in
to a jailhird of 18! He sent
me to a boy's school lie told me
he would send me to college, if 1
had it in me. I was older that the
other boys I worked like mad to
catch up ambition was horn in
me. Then he put me in college
how I worked! Then, my first
vacation, he brought mc here. He
told me then who I 'was, his neph
ew, a Dtinbarlon-Kciil. For hours,
here in the cottage, we talked to
gether, and I longed and resolved
to become a worthy. Dutibarton-
v Kent. I loved Kent house I was
"a Dunbarton-Kent, part of it. Then
I lost him" He caught his
breath in a sob. "It was hard. I'
loved him so."
Marie stroked his bent head. "Do
not tell me any more, dear, one
' know everything,-and I under
stand." ,
"I must." I've longed so to tell
you. Aunt Btilah wrote mc to go
on in college, and try to do well.
She hadn't much faith in me, and
1 worked the harder because of it.
I stood ' well in college. But no
one knew my real history. Then
, West did to me what he said.'
Every one shunned ' me I went
through hell. I went to France
to get away from it. It helped
me, though. It got worked into
my marrow that Germany's caus.e
was that" of the world thief. When
they took me prisoner, I felt that
they imprisoned me because I had
done right. There's a vast dif-
. ference. And I lived through it
somehow, to come back to Kent
house. . It was my dream, to come
back to the home of my family and
make myself respected and loved.
Aunt Bulali took me in for my
uncle' sake. But West was here
that"
"Monsieur! Brcclc, do not!"
Marie begged.
He calmed instantly. "I .will
not, dear. I should not denounce,
for I know them to well, those
who have allowed an obsrtsioin
to cat away their soul. And who
knows When he has reached the
depths, perhaps even he will find
his soul. It was my uncle's be
lief that there is no depravity that
cannot be cured, that the spark of
regeneration lies in every criminal,
however great his criminality. My
uncle's belief is the right one it
redeemed mc; optimism vivifies
life, pessimism destroys it."
"But, Marie, there are some
things I must tell you. West was
right in some of his deductions:
I did threaten him; I did know he
visited Mrs. Smith's house secret
ly; I did think her a bad woman,
even before I became certain that
she was the thief; t did watch her
house and search it several times
without result. But, Marie, about
some things he was wrong he
judged me by himself. 1 loved
you throughout, utterly and un
selfishly and without hope.
"For your sake, I tried to fright
en liim. but he held the key to his
secret and I did not he himself
was Mrs. Smith. I. thought him
the kind of man who would mis
lead you if he could. I did want
you to leave Kent house, but for
your own sake, not for mine. I
couldn't tell you what was the
trouble at Kent house. I was so
desperately afraid , if you were
friendly to me they would think
you were my confederate. I knew
that at first you pitied me, I loved
you for coming to ask me what
ailed me, you child with a big
heart I I forgot caution and gave
you the little spaniel, you were so
lonely and distressed, and I begged
you to leave Kent house. But I
couldn't explain it wasn't safe.
I had to behave like a dumb fool,
or something worse. Then I was
afraid my gift would get you into
trouble and i took- the spaniel
away. I gave you the pistol, both
as a protection and a warning.
"Then they took you into Kent
house and I knew some one had
told you my history, as they re
garded it, and that you abhorred
me. But, I went on trying to
guard you. I followed you and
West about and I made him un
derstand that, if he hurt you, I'd
kill him. -Just once the misery I
was in got the better of me that
morning at the cottage. You were
accusing me of meeting Mrs.
Smith, his woman, and I felt that
no matter what I said, you would
not believe me. I flung at him the
thing I would have given anything
to believe, that you had and always
would have faith in me.
"And, Marie, I did make one
friend. He knew my history; he
knows many things he it supposed
not to kuow; he's an observer and.
too, he knew my uncle. Gibbt was
my friend. He helped me he
used to let me in and out of
Kent house. He played his part
well. He. kept the servants under
his thumb; he even used you to
frighten them, making them be
lieve you were a detcctfve sent by
Mrs. Brant-Olwin. But Gibbs liked
you and watched over you. He did
not like West he used to tell me
that he was certain that you did
not care for West, but that you
loved Aunt Bulah. When I de
cided to leave Kent house and give
all my time to finding the thief,
Gibbs promised to watch over you.
I went the night before the party
and the next afternoon Gibbs tele
phoned me that Mrs. Smith had
come back. But for Gibbs, I don't
know what I should have done. .
"And, Marie, Mrs. Brant-Olwin
has been like a sister to me. You
see, I knew Ward Wakefield well
when we were in France. He
is a brilliant young lawyer and I
thought that should. I be arrested,
he would help me, so I went ,to see
him. I told nothing about my af
fairs, but he told me, as a great se
cret, that he was engaged to Mrs.
Brant-Olwin and that they meant
to surprise society. They are very
much in love with each other.
While she was in Florida, she used
to make stolen visits to New York
to see him, and it was on one of
these visits to his office that you
met her and she tent you to Kent
house, and not at a joke. She has
told me that you were to young
and pretty and the knew Aunt
Bulah would take an interest in
you. Little she knew to what she
was sending youl Gibbs had tele
phoned me to come back and, as
Ward was not feeling well, I took
his place at the dinner. I wanted
Mrs. Brant-Olwin to like me I
Letters From Happyland Readers
(Continued From tnge Four.
day while Mrs. Williams was out
walking with her baby the Indian
rode up and snatched the baby out
of her arms and-galloped out of
town. The mother was -very
frightened when she found that
every man had gone hunting, so
boy, 15 years old, started after him
and shot the Indian, then took the
crying baby home to its frightened
mother. You may be sure he was
honored a great deal. Maxine
Pierce, Shelton, Neb.
The Punishment.
Dear Happy: This is my first
letter. I am 13 and in the Seventh
grade.' I am enclosing a 2-cent
stamp for my button. I am writ-
. ing a story. ' ' "
Once there was' a little' boy who
always stole birds' eggs: One day
" when he was stealing some eggs
his father saw him and gave him a
spanking and ever after he has al
ways left bird eggs alone. Evelyn
Phipes, Stanton, Neb; . ...
- Want to Join.
Dear Happy: We take the Oma-'
ha Bee with your page in it. I like
it fine and would like very much to
join. I am sending a 2-cent stamp
and would, like you to send me the
button. I will try to help someone
every day and I will try to protect
all bird and all dumb animals. I
will be in the Seventh grade at
school next year. Grace E. Reich
enbach, age 12 Washington, Neb.
A Fourth Grader.
Dear Happy: I would like to join
your Happy, Tribe. I am sending
you a coupon and a 2-cent stamp.
I am 8 years old. I will be in the
Fourth grade when school starts
again. I have one sister and two
brothers. We girls are trying to.
get a little Tribe. I will close.
Dorothy Moffitt, Mondamin, la.
The Canary.
- Dear Happy: This is my second
letter to the Go-Hawks. I re
ceived my pin. I like it very much
and I like to wear it: I am going
to tell you of a wild canary. It
has made its. nest in one of our
flower bushes, and its nest is much
like an oriole. As ray letter is get-1
ting long I will close. Beryl Pope;
Age, 12; Walnut. Ia.
,,r- ., . Win Keep Motto.-' ''
Dear Happy: I received my Go
Hawk pin and was glad to get it. I
have tried to protect the birds and
dumb animals as much as I can
My letter is getting long to I will
close. Verle Dority, Shelton, Neb. :
Shelton. Neb.
My Pets.
Dear Happy: I have three black
kittens. Their names are Jackie,
Billie and Sammy. I have a black
dog. His name is "Beaver," and a
pet horse. Well this will be all for
this " time. Florence Getchell,
Genoa, Neb.
Want Letters.
Dear Happy: I have been read
ing the Go-Hawks! letters and
stories, in The Omaha Bee every
Sunday, and I enjoy reading them
very much.' I am sending a 2-cent
stamp for my button. I promise
to be kind to birds and dumb ani
mals. I have a pet cat. I'm in the
Dot Puzzle
I ie
Wa Won
I
22
I. -
4 V .
47. 4f- 4. J Y30
.41
liked her at toon at
is wholesome, gen
Ward's friend and
secret, and that n
friend, too, but, M
Binning to end and
end, you have been
hadn't a hope left,
Mill abhorred mc,
looked at me or spo
I couldn't endute it.
1 have my arms ab
it still seems a mirac
made you cry-1 d
make you cry, dear
Marie's thoughts
jointed as her words
'suffering for you! 1
my heart ached a
I wished these la
to be dead. Mr. Gi
man; to long as I
him. Purposely Ik .
you tonight, . by sho
about Mrs. Brant-1
paper. I know it no
which will never
was wicked with ji
had woman- that
Never again will I
that, wikhout reasoi
A graver man tha
have succumbed .
jumbled English,
time in her knowl
Marie heard him
and happily. He lai
her the closer, ar
again. He dried hei
ing them away. "At
with all the love
there is in me as '
I'll be a : true hu
Marie." '
It was a glimps
ture, and Marie sa
you wish most of
me here in this
house as did your
"Yes!" he said d
She put her arms
"Then lift me do
please Breck and
and tell it to Mr
Kent at once. I th
alone in her room.'
From the libra:
(them coming up tr
and into the full
in hand.
(The Ec
The World Outsi
fourth grade. My teacher's name
is Miss Parker. I like my teacher
very much. Next time I will write
a story. I wish some of the Go
Hawks would write to me. Rose
"Croghan, Plainview, Neb.
Frances.
Dear Happy: I read The Omaha
Bee every Sunday and I like it very
much. I am 7 years old and in
the third A at school. I have one
little sister. Her name is Frances.
She is so cute. We were getting
ready for a party. She went to the
table and got a whole chunk of
butter. Caroline Vananda, 707
East Sixth "street, Fremont, NeJ.
Has its house upon its back.
Caught this one in Hackensack.
Complete the picture hy drawine- a line through the doU, beginning; with
a nag taking them aerkaUy.
(Contlaaed From Page Twe.)
talked exceedingly well. Noth
ing was overdone, nothing hidden.
Bancroft searched in vain for the
joker; there was none.
"Well, I'm flabbergasted, at we
say here, in the village." Bancroft
laid the prospectus on his desk.
"That's natural enough. On the
face of it it docs look incredible.
But Marconi was incredible 30
years ago. You buy a book, you
sit here under the study lamp and
enjoy yourself. Laughter, pathos,
First Letter. x '
Dear Happy: This is my first
letter to Happyland and I think I
. will enjoy to be a member. I hone
' that some of the Happyland chil
dren will write to me. Here is 2
cents enclosed for the Go-Hawk
button. I am 10 years of age and
I am in the sixth grade in school.
vWell as my letter is getting long
I will close. Orvel Nelson, Stan
ton, Ia. '
Wants to Join.
Dear Happy: I want to join
the Happy .Tribe. I like the dot
puzzles. I am 7 years old. I
live on a farm.- I read the Teenie
Weenies and I like it. I will send
a stamp and the coupon. Rolland
Miller, Aged 7, Craig, Neb.
In Field and Forest.
Nestling plumage is the name of
. a bird's very first suit of clothes.
In some bird families it is just
like the dress of grown-up birds.,
However, ,it is usually worn only
a few weeks before it is outgrown.
. While it does look as though feath
ers grow very close together, still
they grow in patterns, with spaces
of bare skin between. It does not
show because the feathers lap over
, each other and cover the skin.
Some of the babies are dressed
just like their mothers, but the
young males do not get a coat like
their fathers until they are a year
old. Sometimes it takes two or
three years before they have grown
up suits. Long ago I learned that
oyung robins have speckled breasts
and spots on their shoulders, but
their parents do not
Oriole and bluebird babies usual
ly dress like their mothers the first
season. Birds that live on the
ground have dresses of dull colors,
for they would not be safe if they
wore gay ; colors. Sometimes I
' have seen fathers, mothers, babies
all dressed just alike.
One of' my little friendsf who
lives in South Dakota, has written
me to ask how birds change their,
clothes. So I will tell you all next
Sunday. Your. UNCLE JOHN.
thrills, love, myster
yours. But the mc
the book, the chs
Y-ou become an out
no souvenirs. Wr
what you read. Si
"How are the p:
Ten thousand in ad
"No. One thous
9.000 upon the sue
sion."
That was the fin
Bancroft was not i
converted. He go
read a great many 1
in touch with the
the newspapers; bu
I ever heard of."
length of the roc
"What about battl
sudden death?"
"Battle the dail. V
for food. Murder :
Death when does i
beside us? Don't j
out of the idea?"
"If it weren't for
side I might. But t
ccive a business liki
to act upon it!"
"When human
wool they absorbec
the sheep." -
"Now you are ch
"'take a dare." said Ba
"That's childish,
forced me or cajoleo
my ordinary comr
belled against. On t
I'd be a liar if I retW-i.
, that you have arouf
ity considerably."
"Young man," s:
turer coldly, "if yo
all the precaution in
not save you. If yo
you will die in be
That's all there is t
. member the old line
He either fears his
Or his deserts a
Who dares not put
To gam or lose
"What's the us
money, if you can't
fun out of it, you, v
so frugally? Will y
riotous living, or w
hospitals and researc
Or will you let it
topples over and s
In a little while you
be a free man; yot
the slave of these m
you a temporary esc:
ever played? I sh
you had not. Well
will never have the
will be a drudge all ; '
"Let me ask a que:
Copyright, II
(To Be Contir
i
