The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-10-28
CHAPTER xIl-Continued.

CHAPTER xii-Continued.
And there was no one l could talk
20 about 1t, no n to tell me how
hideously absurd 1t was, no one to
give me a slap and tell me there are
&Ons OF fine gold chains made every
year, or to point out the long arm of
coincidence!
With my n useful hand FUN
bled the things back into the bag and
thrust It deep out of sight among the
pillows. Then ! 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 Sc 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 a part
Of her necklace become tori of 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
nuft, when he went away in a blue?"
he repeated. well 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
iulness was ebbing when he finally got
the hospital.
rs DR.. Van Kirk there?" he asked.
Not 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 a long pause. then Nc
Knights voice:
"Hello-yes. Thank you very much.
0ood-by."
He came upstairs, two steps at a
time.
Tx here" he said. bursting into
the roo> there may be something
IN your theory, after all. The woman's
name-it may be a coincidence. but
its curious-her name is Sullivan"
What did l tell your" l said, sitting
mp suddenly in bed. "She's probably
. sister of that scoundrel in lower
,even, and she was afraid Of what he
'ght do"
"Confound this arm" ! said, paying
for my energy with some e~xcruciating
throbs. There's so much to be look
Cd after, and here I am, bandaged,
splintered. and generally useless. It's
: beastly shame"
Don't forget that I am here" said
Mcknight pompously. And another
thing, when you feel this way just re-
member there are two less desirable
places were you might be. One is
iii, and the other is" He strummed
a n imaginary harp. with devotional
syes.
But Meningitis light-heartedness
1ar1ed on me that morning. lay and
lrowned under my helplessness. When
~ chance l touched the little gold
nag. II seemed to scorch my fingers.
Hichey, finding me unresponsive, left
q keep His luncheon engagement with
Alison West. AS he clattered down
the stairs. l turned my back to the
morning sunshine and abandoned my
eli 70 misery. BY what strain on her
nerves Wal Alison West keep
~ up, I wondered7
But Mcknight had not gone, after
"a. heard him coming back. his
vo1oo preceding him. and ! groaned
WIN Irritation.
waite up!" he called. Somebody's
Dant ycu : lot Of flowers. Please hold
~ hox, Nrs. Klopton: I'm going out
" 70 I'm down by ~ automobile"
i ronSo6 q feeble interest. Ny
Dr0thof0 VIM u punctilious about
IacA tIingf; ~ To nov babies u the
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