The Washington herald., 1910-12-17
PART THREE.
CHAPTER II.

Long before she came 10 herself. how
ever, there began a conyulsive struggle
that was one of the most terrible things
| had to witness in all my experience
with her. II was as if her two selves
were fighting for supremacy, for the pos
session of her body. which was their bat
tle-held / could only wait helplessly for
that fierce struggle gradually to expend
itself In trembIings and In signs, while
/ called her again and again. now with
a DEFINITE idea of hypnotic sugges-
ton. The conflict seemed TO go on for a
long, long time, though in point OF fact
il lasted, 1 think. only few minutes
At the end, she drew a long. deep
breath. relaxed. and opened her eyes
Almost Immediately she was overcome
by a violent nausea. and. attending to
her and soothing her. it was some time
before We knew with whom we had to
deal Her first words treasured me-
Chester she exclaimed. you've
come back Pm so glad, but I'm terri
tied-what has happened"
| kissed her. kneeling on the floor be
side her, stroking her hand. Dom
worry. dear" l said. its all right now.
She started up with a glad look on
her face. misinteTpreting my words.
ION, is il finished. then? Have we
won? Is Edna driven away forever
I had to tell her that IL was not YET
even begun, but that. God willing,
should soon be ready to put my plan 70
the test. She was disheartened and dis
couraged al that. il was as II she had
gone through an unsuccessful operation
she was so exhausted and fearful, but
IN the end / succeeded in reassuring her
somewhat. and she was restored Il
calmness and courage 20 bear the sus
pense. As soon as she felt better We
went outdoors for a while, and the fresh,
cool air brought back her spirits. There
told her just what had happened. and
what We had 10 expect Then. as / had
eaten nothing since morning. l went
back with her 20 the dining-room and
we had supper with Lean
Chester. she said you've said
enough 10 make me afraid OF what you
intend TO do. / can't yet BE sure thai
we have the right TO destroy Edna. And
must be surer that pr:. Copin has
betrayed me. I've known him too Ions
TO let him go without proving IT, / must
see him and have a talk with him first
then, il l am thoroughly convinced. You
may so ahead. But ! want to know
just what you intend 10 do"
There, at least, / stood firm. -
/ hope you'll never find out" ! said
i intend TO cut Out the cancer
1 that's enough for you to know. But
as to the doctor I'm positivel!
afraid 10 trust you with him And yet, i
would be well TO know just what he's al
TO- He may come Tomorrow morning
too, which will prevent my doing any
thing, whether it's yeu or Edna who j,
here. And ! can't risk the chance o
being interrupted. He may not come
however. as he'll naturally expect you u
be here tomorrow, unless Ednas max
ing faster progress than she has here
tOfore. And even If / could put you e
sleep now, Uncle JerdOn's being in th'
house will prevent my acting.
1t was here that Leah put in the FRS
suggestion that she had volunteered.
Miss JOY" SIZE said. Il have an ides
| how you might find out what you wan
10 know. and perhaps the doctors plans
as well, if you'd consent 10 do 1t. I don
know whether you'll think it's right Of
( motive been trying TO decide for my
( self, but ! can't"
AFl nave IT, dL cllf AdANs Sdih
We've left right and wrong so far be
hind now, that they're quite out o
! sight
IF Leah has even thought of !
enough 10 propose il, I'll take my chances
I on its being justifable,' Joy added.
! Here il is. then" said Leah. ''YoI
want TO know what the doctor is doinl
/ with Edna and to Edna, don't your"
/ s.rIff,ot So Il cold
Then why not pretend to be Edna wheI
! he comes?"
by Jovel" I cried. There's an ideal'
But l couldn't possibly do it.' Jol
objected.
Leah explained further. "Mr. Castle
/ and / will teach you. We have all nigh
1 before US. and Wen have to stay up
anyway. TO make sure that it is you wh'
meets the doctor. During that time yo,
can learn your part II will be hare
work. but | know you can do it.
1T Will at least keep us awake 10!
smiled at last
And then. early in the morning. you
as Edna, can telephone to him and ash
him 10 come down"
He'll come" l said He'll be only Toe
glad to find that Edna has had two day;
running
JOY began to enter into the humOr Of
the situation. I'm not have to make VI
for the part. at least. shall 1? And
Edna's costumes viii fit me. But do YOU
think / can really do it,
1 was convinced that she could. ''Wher
YOU think that he viii be prediSposed Il
find you Edna. and how little cause h'
has to suspect such impersonation, anC
moreover how much more like you Edna
! is becoming. I think that there's verS
| little risk" l said. Tho best part of the
plan is that after it's over the doctor il
likely to go back and he'll be safely on
of the way for my experiment
ooh, your experiment! How II terrifie'
me, What are we doing to that pool
girl? What possible crime am l consent
ing to?" Joy broke down again.
Leah put her hand on joys arm anC
looked at her. You'll do 1t for my sake
| Miss Joyg' she pleaded. l knew wei
enough that she was not urging her Owl
danger. despite her words. She was de
sirous only of Joys peace-but her words
had their effect.
And for NINE l saw fit to add. The
double appeal stilled joys protest
We began, therefore, to instruct JOY
in her part, and I think that she learned
more of her secondary self that nigh
than she had known in all the rest o.
her life put together, II was not cas-,
for her, at first, to abandon herself t
the character and assume the gaucheri'
that was typical OF Edna IL was hardes
of all to do what indeed. l was loatl
To teach her. the little coquetries anC
/ familiarities which / imagined Edna t
/ be in the habit of lavishing upon tbs
doctor. But there was a humor, as wei
as a pathos, in the play, and occasionally
the fun of il overthrow our seriousness.
80 we went over and over the plot thai
night Ednas languishing glances, Edna:
awkward poses and active gestures, Edna;
quick speech and obvious sallies, her i'm
patient, pettish whims ali were rehearsed