The midland journal., 1914-12-04

/ there was mingled with 1t 0emontacai
look Of resolve The look did not es-
cape q silent spectator on the stairs.
Reynolds stepped briskly now to a
| little cabinet beside the piano and
bent over It, opening concealed slide.
A bit OF shining blue metal flashed in
his hands and he turned the cylinder
quickly to make sure that it contained
| its deadly load. He moved to the
table for his hat and as he did SO Dick
slipped down the remaining steps and
stepped softly across the room. As
Reynolds looked up the reporter stood
before him.
/, Going out, Bob?" he asked uncon-
cernedly. Rather late, ]. should say"
"Only for asmoment. Dick need
the air.
Can trail along7"
| You needn't I'll be right back"
He stepped forward, but the report
er backed along in front of him. Az
they neared the door Reynolds made q
dash for It, but Dick was too quick for
him. He stepped slightly aside and
caught his friend from the rear, PIN
ioning both his arms behind him. They
struggled to and fro until Dick had
dragged him to the center Of the door.
LET me gol" Reynolds shouted.
Damn you. Meade, / knew you'd do
that. Let me go, viii you! You don't
know what he's done to me or you'd
help instead Of stop me. Let me got"
| The noise Of the struggle brought
Jane from the dining room. She stood
half way moment, watching the com
tortions OF the breathless men. like
one charmed and bereft of mobility.
Dick had dragged Bob to the divan
now and they fell on 1t together. With
e quick movement the reporter
reached for Reynolds hip pocket. He
secured the revolver, but as he loosed
one hand to do SO, Bob. with a lurch.
broke from his grasp and stood pant.
ing before him.
"Give me that pistol" he ordered
He got only quiet smile and q
shake Of the head from his friend.
"Then, damn it. I'll do It with my
hands!' he cried and rushed toward
the door.
Jane staggered after him.
sBob-Bob. dear! My boy! My hus-
band!" She called beseechingly. The
tenderness Of her tone. the love note
In her voice, arrested him for mo-
ment where the antagonism Of his
friend had only accentuated his hys-
terra. He stopped and looked at her.
Bob, she cried softly, "come back
back with me. know I've been to
blame. It's all my fault =
He only looked and his eyes sudden
Ily were befogged with tears. His
hands dropped again. The same In
ertia as before overcame him. He
started back toward her. tottered and
fell headlong to the floor.
The terror stricken wife stopped
and caught his head In her hands.
showering IL with kisses.
Bob! Bob! Speak to mel" she
cried.
She pressed open his eyelids, her
own tears mingling with his, while
Dick, with more practical mind, forced
brandy through his lips and sent her
to the kitchen for ice. They packed
the broken ice about his head and
chafed his hands, but in vain. He gave
no sign Of returning consciousness
Their physician lived only a few
doors away and in a few minutes. hay-
ing been summarily aroused by Dick,
he was bending over his neighbor's
side
/ "A nervous collapse" he said SEN
| tentiously. He mixed stimulant and
administered some of It, Get some
of this into him every Is minutes and
he'll come around. His heart action is
good" he added, bending an ear to
4 Reynolds chest .'It's only question
Of time minutes. maybe hours. but
there Is no immediate danger. Come"
| he finished curtly, addressing Dick,
"we1l carry him up 10 his room"
Jane followed and, weeping silently.
helped to get her husband into bed.
The doctor, HkesaIl others, assured
that there was no pressing peril, pre-
pared to resume his broken rest, but
Jane would not let him go. He sat
down resignedly, feeling Of the strick-
en- mans pulse and from time to time
administering the stimulant as he had
directed. At last Reynolds lids parted
and he stared weakly about. He looked
vacantly at the doctor, but as Jane
kneIt and pressed her lips to his he
recognized her and spoke her name.
That's ALL" the physician said as
he arose. Never mind the medicine
now. I'll send nurse in the morning.
Your husband needs rest, Mrs. Rey-
1 nolds--a good one. Az soon as he is
up get him away from business. and
from other things"
He looked significantly at Dick. who
4 nodded knowing assent Then he
bade him good night.
Reynolds, his hand clasped In his
wife's, lay quiet, speaking softly now
and then to assure her Of his con-
sciousness, and then weakly indicated