The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-02
THE
TANGLED .
WEB
By Ethel Watts.Mumford Grant
Autho, q "Dupes." "Whi,ewssh," " Etc.
Copynaht, 1908. by Benz. B. Hampton
CHAPTER x.

ly, intercepting a passing servant.
ASK If / may see Mrs. Gaynor." He
turned, addressing himself to Mrs.
Evelyn. who is Mrs. Gaynor's phy-
sician?" he asked II consider her
case critical. If you would ask her,
we might send for him-physicians'
etiquette, you know"
Mrs. Evelyn opened wide blue
eyes. Dear me! don't you know
that Nellie thinks she Is all sorts of
a doctor herself? She never calls
anyone in. No. indeed! She pre-
scribes a little strychnine II she
doesn't eat, and a little chloral II
she doesn't sleep and there you
are"
And there you're likely to be
not!" exclaimed Alice. You don't
mean to say" DR.. Wendham was
gone. II don't wonder he was up
set," continued Alice. I'm glad you
tipped him off,"
Mrs. Evelyn took up the paper
II suppose you heard, Alice, what
they found out about John?" She
had recovered her tone of aloof-
ness.
NO" said Alice, It didn't"
Its too bad" the hostess re-
marked. II do hate to lose house
keeper"
Alice rose with bound. What,
has John stolen, Mrs. Greeks? Johns
a hero!"
NO" answered Mrs. Evelyn with
complete literalness; mo, he didn't
do that. But she didn't investigate
his references properly. 1t seems
that the man has been in jail and
had forged letters; recommendations
from people travelling on the Trans
Siberian roads or something, and
somebody who had been Consul
somewhere. Creeks liked the tone
and the stationery, and took a
chance. l wish Mrs. Lawdon would
go away" she continued. 1T an
noys me to see her around. She ex-
amines me as if she expected me to
appear in her lost diamonds-little
yellow cat!"
A nervous step drew their atten-
ton. Evelyn entered.
WneTe w eHuHd he lHqulIeu
abruptly.
Alice nodded toward the stairs.
Gone to prescribe for Mrs. Gaynor.
I fancy"
UNI" he growled impatiently.
Il want to see him. Confound this
business!" he broke out; "it's got
more turns to it than a-the Briar-
cliff course!"
YES" said his wife, going to him
paper in hand. Have you seen
this?"
THAT and a dozen more" he
snapped. I'm sick of the sight OF
the whole outfit. And as for the
awdons-that woman's a skirling
harpy!"
Alice jumped. "Skirling harpy!
Thanks, dear old man, one thousand
times! Banzai! I couldn't think
what I wanted to say; but you have
it-'skirling harpy!' Far be 1t from
me to engage in a tilt of words with
one so gifted-oh! 'skirling harpy'!
IF you're through with that" ex
claimed Evelyn with unwontet
harshness, run up to Nellie's room
and ask Wendham to join me as soor
as he can"
mo sooner said than done.
called Alice as she disappeared. A
moment later she returned, followed
by the physician.
"Cass," he said quickly before tina
gentleman could open his mouth
"send some one out for this-anC
this, Immediately" He signed thu
slips with his fountain pen. II fint
her condition most unsatisfactory,
he added; there is every symptom
of brain fever. Now, Mrs. Evelyn
with your permission, I will tele
phone for nurse"
''Is Nellie so very ill?" asked Eve
lyn, startled from his own concerns
Every, I'm afraid"
A very silent and troubled grouI
watched him hurrying down the cor
ridor. Mrs. Evelyn was the first t
break their tangled thoughts.
There, now. That Lawdon VIC
man has made Nellie Ill. My dear
I'll never ask anyone to oblige any
one in order to be considerats Q
anyone again. It's perfectly ridicu
lous! Alice, let's go upstairs an
see If Adele needs help, or If we ca
arrange matters more comfortably.
The two ladies withdrew, leavin
Evelyn alone in the cheerful morI
ing room. He paced the floor nerN
ously. His brow was knitted, hi
hands clenched. Life had becom
far too strenuous to suit his placi
nature.
A moment later Wendham ell
tered.
"She's coming-the nurse, l meal
Old man, it's serious, and l wal
your permission to take charge"
"You have It," said Evely
promptly. What you say goes"
MRS. Gaynor must not see an.
one except the nurse. her maid, an
myself under any circumstances"
"Oh," said Evelyn, "and Poll
and Alice have just gone to her."