Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-25
James knew what he meant. He hesi-

James knew what he meant. He hesi-
tated.
go, and send Mrs. Blair down here"
said Gordon. Tell her want to see her,"
WELL" said James slowly.
The two men did not look at each other
again. Gordon sank into his chair. James
knocked on the door of the sick room, and
Mrs. Blair, the village nurse, answered his
knock. She was large woman In volu-
minous wrapper. Her face had settled
She looked at James. The screams from
the writhing mass of agony in the bed did
not appear to be moving her, whereas she
in reality was herself screwed to such a
pitch OF mental torture Of pity that she
was scarcely able to move. She was rigid.
Doctor Gordon sent me-" whispered
James. He wished me to see her. He ask
ed me to say to you that he would like
to see you for minute In the Office"
The woman did not move for a second.
Then she whispered close to James ear,
"Ik Is on the bureau"
James nodded. They passed each other.
James entered the room and closed the
door. lamp was burning on table with
a screen before it. The bed was in shadow.
The screams never ceased. They were not
human. James could not realize that the
beautiful woman whom he had known was
making such sounds. They sounded like
the shrieks of animal. All the soul
seemed gone from them.
James approached the bed There was a
roll of dark eyes at him. Then a voice
CHASTITY beyond description, like the snarl
of hungry beast, came from between the
straight white lips. More, more! Give
| me more! Be quickr'
James hesitated
Quick quickr' demanded the voice.
James crossed the room to the dresser.
The sick woman now interspersed her
screams with the word "quick!'
James filled hypodermic syringe from a
| glass on the bureau and approached the
bed again. He barred shuddering arm
and inserted the instrument quickly Now
| try and be quiet he said. You will go
| to Sleep"
Then he went out Of the room. The
! screams had ceased. AS James approached
| ency in wrapper looked out. She was
| very pale, her eyes were distended with
| fear, and her mouth was trembling. How
| is she?" she whispered.
| Better, dear. Go back in your room and
lie down. We are doing all we can"
| When James entered the office Gordon
| and Mrs. Blair turned with one accord, and
| fixed horribly searching eyes upon his face.
| He sat down beside the table, and mechan-
| ically lit a cigar.
How did she seem?" Gordon asked al
| most inaudibly.
| Better"
was she auiet?'
| yes"
| Gordon gave a long sigh. His face was
| deadly white. He leaned back in his chair,
and both James and the nurse sprang.
7
| felt his pulse Mrs. Blair got some brandy.
| Gordon swallowed the brandy, and raised
| his head.
TT is nothing" he said in a harsh voice.
| you had better go back to her, Mrs.
Blair
| look of strange dread came over the
! woman's grave face.
| II will be there directly" said Gordon.
] Mrs Blair went out. She left the door
| altar. The house was so still that one could
| seem to hear the silence. There was some
| thing terrible about it after the turmoil OF
+! sound. Then the silence was broken. A
| scream more terrible than ever pierced 1t
| like a sword. Another came Gordon sprang
| up and faced James. The young man
I eyes fell before the look Of fierce question
| ing in Gordon's.
| IT could not" he gasped. ooh, Doctor
| Gordon, / could not! Instead of that I
| used water thought perhaps her mind
being convinced that it was morphine, she
| might
| .'Mindr' shouted Gordon. Mind, how
| much do you suppose the poor. tortured
| thing has to bring to bear upon this? tell
| you she is being eaten alive There Is no
| other word for 1t. Gnawed. and worried,
| and eaten alive" Gordon ran out OF the
room.
| James closed the door. The dog. who had
been asleep beside the fire. started up,
| came over TO James, laid his white head
/ on his knee and whimpered, with an sp-
pealing look in his brown eyes, which were
/ turned toward the young mans face. Ale
most Immediately Mrs. Blair entered the