The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-09-01
CHAPTER xII-continued.

SF'HT En- NII-Continuea
AND there was no one I could tslh
10 about It, no one to tell me- bow
hldeously absurd 1t was. no ona r.
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 7 FUN.
bled the things back into the bag AND
thrust 1t 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 80 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 a part
OF her necklace become torn 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
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 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 wait
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 a long pause, then Nc
Knights voice;
"Hello-yes. Thank you very much.
Good-by."
He came upstairs, two steps at a
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 a coincidence, but
it's curious-her name is Sullivan"
What did l tell your" l said. sitting |
up suddenly in bed. She's probably !
a sister Of that scoundrel in lower
seven. and she was afraid of what he
might do"
''Confound this arm" l 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
a beastly shame"
Don't forget that l am here" said
Mcknight pompously. And another
hing, when you feel this way just re-
there are two less desirable
places were you might be- One is
ali, and the other is" He strummed
On an imaginary harp, with devotional
ayes.
But Meningitis light-heartedness
AIRED on me that morning. lay and
rowned under nay helplessness. When
~ chance I touched the little gold
gag. it seemed to scorch my fingers.
sichey, finding me unresponsiTe, left
O keep his luncheon engagement with
Alison West As he clattered down
ne stairs, | turned my back to the
morning sunshine and abandoned my
elf to misery. BY what strain on her
rayed nerves was Alison West keep
az up. wondered! II
But Mcknight had not gone. after
II. heard him coming back ms
dice preceding him. and groaned
nth irritation. -
Wake upl" he called. SOMEBODY
ant Won A lot of flowers. Please hold
he box, Mrs. Klopton; I'm going out
a be run down by an automobile.
roused to feeble interest MY
rother's wife Is runctiiious aooSI
,ch things: all the new babies In the