The Washington herald., 1910-12-19
PART THREE.
CHAPTER III-Continued.

CHAPTER III-Continued.
tried to paelfy her. thinking that dis
traught with the violent moods she haC
shown to-day, a reaction would soor
come. She was almost hysterical, and
waited for the revulsion of feeling. with
out needing her words In a moment 4
came. II was as il an angel and a devi
were contending in her for the mastery
but the angel won again,
She sat down Imply in a chair that wa
drawn up to the secretary. and the tears
came 20 her eyes. / saw Leah go out the
front door and hurry down the lane.
'Oh, I'm so wretched!" Edna complain
ed bitterly Il haven't friend-not even
DR.. Copin. All he wants is my money
and ali you want is JOY. Oh, Chef lei
me be your friendi Let me be your
fTiend-you may stay-Ill be good. sure
Will I'll do anything II you'll only love
me and be good to me! I'll take LEAH
back; I'll dismiss the doctor Why was
sent here. anyway? Nobody wants me
nobody cares for me!''
She looked up at me and held out her
hand. II was the stricken deer appealing
for protection TO the hunters, l had
never seen her so gentle and tender. II
was, for the moment. as If Joy herself
were pleading for her life.
AS / stood there, watching her debating
what to do. her head dropped to her left
hand. With her right she had taken VI
a pencil which lay there, and was alb
stractedly making marks upon the blot
ter-circles and crosses and ZigZal
scrawls But, even as she turned TO me-
again, her eyes softened, ] saw her right
hand move more regularly over the paper
blotter. She was writing, and writing
automatically. without looking at wha'
she was doing. A sudden idea came e
me that the writing was inspired by sons
subconsciOus. subliminal self. and / mus
let II have free play. that l must diver
her thought from that hand.
So ! walked Up to her and touched heI
head. sTOking her soft. brown hair. 'PoOl
gil" / said; II wish / could answer YOU
questions: l wish / might help you. Per
haps We can think out way. Wen tall
IL over and see"
Her hand was still writing. as sh,
looked up at me and listened.
But you must tell me all about the
doctor, and what he is doing. Is he com
ing down mere to-day
She leaned affeetionately against my
side, her hand still working unconscious
Isl. Il don't know she said He may
come on the II O'Clock train, perhaps"
This was unexpected. / had it'll.
time, then, in which TO act. But nov
her hand had stopped. and | bent Over
her shoulder 10 look at the blotter
she turned her face 10 me again and
said .ro.r rTa his
You've never kissed me, m sure you'v,
kissed joy"
Then, following my glance, she saw
the writing for the first time. oh how
funny" she cried. I've been writingi
didn't know it. What is il, anyway
Then she read aloud:
Don't hesitate! Cut of my head an,
my tail, Hurry White Cat
How absurd" she commented. See
il isn't my handwriting al all II ISM
anything like it, But it's like-its Joy'sr
she burst out and she jumped up. star
ing at me What does il mean?'
I had recognized the handwriting at the
same instant, and was as surprised as
she
IT'S joys" she repeated her voice
now almost a scream. "Oh, but she is q
cat | believe she's trying to get rid OF
me, She wants you TO kill me! Tell me
Chef. what does il mean?"
/ didn't answer. for the shock OF thi.
communication beWildeTed me. II was
like the voice OF a ghost. urging me- Il
was Joy, calling up from Edna's sub
consciousness. ! was sure OF IT,
IT'S Joyr' she cried a third time as
she got the meaning too. she's trying
10 call you through me! She loves you
and you love her. I knew il, You're
trying TO murder me- But I'll not LEI
her have YOU, I'll kill you drstr
She stood with her little fists doubled
. shaking with fury. her nostrils dilated,
her cheeks gone white, her lips apart
showing the little, uneven line OF
clinched teeth. The strap of her gown
had fallen partly of. leaving one
smooth, creamy shoulder bare the golden
wreath Of laurel was tipped sideWise in
her hair.
Then, in a quick Whirlwind Of passion,
she snatched the silver-handled poker by
the fireplace raised il, and struck at me
with all her strength. Slight as she was,
and weak, ordinarily, her emotion gave
her an unnatural power. The blow
grazed my cheek, blowing a deep. ragged
furrow through the skin. / grabbed the
weapon from her, and she stood defiant
" before me, blazing in all her finery.
The time had at last come TO act.