The Montgomery tribune., 1910-09-23
CHAPTER xil-Continued.

And there was no one could talk
to about It, no one to tell me how
hideously absurd 1t was, no one to
give me slap and tell me there are
tons of fine gold chains made every
year, or to point out the long arm of
coincidence!
With my one useful hand | fun
bled the things back into the bag and
thrust it deep out of sight among the
pillows. Then l lay back in a cold
perspiration. What connection had
Alison West with this crime? Why
had she stared so at the gun-metal Gig
arctic case that morning on the train
What had alarmed her so at the farm
house? What had she taken back to
the gate? Why did she wish she had
not escaped from the wreck? And
last, in heavens name, how did part
of her necklace become torn off and
covered with blood?
Downstairs Mcknight was still at
the telephone, and amusing himself
with Mrs. Klopton in the interval of
waiting.
"Why did he come home in a gray
suit, when he went away in blue?'
he repeated. We'll, wrecks are queer
things, Mrs. Klopton. The suit may
have turned gray with fright. Or per.
haps wrecks do as queer stunts as
lightning. Friend of mine once was
struck by lightning; he and the caddy
had taken refuge under a tree. After
the fash, when they recovered CON
seriousness, there was my friend In the
caddy's clothes, and the caddy in his,
And as my friend was a large man
and the caddy very small boy"
Meningitis story was interrupted
by the indignant slam of the dining
room door. He was obliged to walt
some time, and even his eternal cheer.
fulness was ebbing when he finally got
the hospital.
rs DR.. Van Kirk there?" he asked
mot there? Well. can you tell me
how the patient is whom DR.. Williams
from Washington. operated on last
night? Well, I'm glad of that. Is she
conscious? Do you happen to know
her name? Yes, I'll hold the line"
There was long pause, then Nc
knights voice:
"Hello-yes. Thank you very much
Good-by."
He came upstairs, two steps at 6
time.
Look here" he said, bursting into
the room, there may be something
in your theory, after all. The woman's
name-it may be coincidence, bu
its curious-her name is Sullivan"
What did tell your" said, sitting
UP suddenly in bed. "She's probably
sister of that scopndrel in lowel
seven. and she was afraid of what HI
might do"
"Confound this arm" said, paying
for my energy with some excruciatinl
throbs. There's so much to be look
ed after, and here am, bandaged
splintered, and generally useless. III
a beastly shame"
Don't forget that am here" salt
Mcknight pompously. And anothe
thing, when you feel this way just re
member there are two less desirable
places were you might be. One 4
jaik and the other is,-" He strumme,
on an imaginary harp, with devotiona
eyes.
But Meningitis light-heartednes
Jared on me that morning. lay an,
frowned under my helplessness. Whel
by chance / touched the little gol,
bag, 1t seemed to scorch my fingers
Richey. finding me unresponsive. lef
to keep his luncheon engagement wit
Alison West. AS he clattered dow
the stairs, turned my back to tn
morning sunshine and abandoned my
self to misery. BY what strain on he
frnyed nerves was Alison West keeI
dng up, I wondered?
But Mcknight had not gone. afte
all. heard him coming back, hi
voice preceding him, and ! groane
with irritation.
Wake up!" he called. Somebody
sent you lot of flowers Please hol
the box. Mrs. Klopton; I'm going ou
to be run down by an automobile"
reused to feeble interest. M
brothers wife is punctilious abou
such things; all the new babies in th