The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-09-22
CHAPTER Xll-Continued.

And there was no one I could talk
TO about 1t, no one to tell me how
~hideously absurd it was, no one tc
give me a 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 I FUN.
bled the things back into the bag and
thrust It deep out of sight among the
pillows. Then | lay back i'm q cold
perspiration. What connection had
Alison West with this crime? Why
had she stared SO at the gun-metai 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
no escaped from the wreck? And
last, in heavens name, how did a 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 a 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 flash. 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 a very small boy"
Meningitis story was interrupted
by the indignant slam of the dining
room door. He was obliged to wait
some time, and even his eternal cheer.
fulness al ebbing when he finally got
the hospital.
rs Or. Van Kirk there?" he asked,
mot there? Well, can you tell me
how the patient is whom DIR. 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 a long pause, then Nc
knights voice:
"Hello-yes. Thank you very much.
Good-by."
He came upstairs, two steps at a
time.
Tx here" he said, bursting into
the rouA there may be something
in your theory, after all. The woman's
name-it may be a coincidence. but
its ourious-her name Is Sullivan"
What did I tell your" | said, sitting
mp suddenly in bed. shes probably
n sister of that scoundrel in lower
>even. and she was afraid of what he
'ght do"
"Confound this arm" i said, paying
for my energy with some excruciating
throbs. There's so much to be look,
ed after, and here / am, bandaged
splintered, and generally useless. It's
q beastly shame"
Don't forget that / am here" said
Mcknight pompously. And another
thing. when o feel this way just re
member there are two less desirable
places were you might be. One Ii
jail, and the other is" He strummet
on an imaginary harp, with devotional
eyes.
Put Meningitis light-heartednes:
Jared on me that morning. | lay ant
frowned under my helplessness. Wher
by chance | touched the little golt
bag, it seemed to scorch my fingers
Richey, finding me unresponsive, lief
to keep his luncheon engagement will
Alison West. AS he clattered dowr
the stairs. / turned my back to the
morning sunshine and abandoned my
self to misery. BY what strain on hel
frayed nerves was Alison West keep
ing up, | wondered?
But Mcknight had not gone. after
all. | heard him coming back. hi:
voice preceding him. and / g~roanet
with irritation.
Wake up!" he called. Somebody
sem you a lot of flowers. Please hole
the box, Mrs. Klopton; I'm going oui
TO be run down by an automobile"
| reused to feeble interest My
brothers wife is p~unctibous about
such things; all the new babies in the