The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-30

t0e &na6tIy evil tnaL IL 00Q Drought
At eleven o'clock he pulled up In
front Of the hospital The porter. who
knew him well, helped to carry the
half-conscious man inside. Soon he
was snug in a comfortable bed In the
ward.
Miss Lennon not on duty tonight p
asked the doctor Of the night nurse.
She'll be coming on at twelve, DR..
Deering," answered the young woman
in charge.
I'll wait for her," Deering an
swered. Il am rather anxious to talk
with her about this CASE"
Miss Lennox was one of behring's
proteges. She had once been a pa
tent Of his. Or. rather. he had found
her. sick with pneumonia, in an OBJ
scure lodging house to which he had
been called. She was earning a pre-
carious livelihood as a seamstress.
Deering, struck by the girls refine
ment, had questioned her and learned
Of her unhappy history. She had been
separated from her husband, and her
family had cast her of on account of
the marriage. Deering had got her a
humble position in the hospital at
Nevins, where she was unknown; and
there she had graduated as a nurse.
She was accounted the best nurse in
the hospital, and now had charge of
the ward from twelve till seven. Only
Deering knew the story Of her life.
That was one Of his numerous kind
nesses. And now his own life seemed
fated to be wrecked, and there was
no one to help him.
The sick man opened his eyes.
Deering felt that he was growing
stronger. In spite of his humanity,
the thought would come to him that
this wreck Of f1otsam would be better
off dead-better of for his own sake,
for behring's, for Rays. Why should
such useless lives lfnger, to make
only misery?
The man leered at him.
Say Doc" he said, this IL q
mighty comfortable bed to sleep tn.
It's weeks since had a bed like this.
But I'm going to make you pay
through the nose, just the same, II you
want Ray. Understand"
A groan broke from the doctors
lips. He clenched his hands and
strobe up and down the room. The
sick mans eyes followed him malev.
olently.
"Once," he said, when Deering re.
turned to his bedside. you could have
put that all over me- You could have
won my gratitude and worked upon
my better nature But guess I'm too
old bird to be caught by, kindness
any more. You'll pay fifteen hundred
young fellow, if you want Ray"
Deering turned upon him.
DO you think l am a bigamist?''
he cried. IF you are John Brooks.
you've got me in your power. But you
won't get a chance to torture that
helpless woman again"
The man did not answer him. Deer
ing saw his eyes fixed in terror upon
mething-someone on the opposite
side of the room. He looked round.
Miss Lennox was approaching the bed.
"Good-evening," began Deering, and
then he stopped. There was the same
look OF terror upon the face of the
nurse.
why" the doctor began. why"
20, guess she remembers me"
burst out Brooks, with an oath. she
ought to-. We lived together long
enough for her to know my face"
THAT man is-my husband. doc
tori" said the nurse, sinking into the
chair at the side of the bed and weep
ing Historically. 20. why did you
bring him here?'
Deering looked from one to the 9th
er in amazement. He saw at once
that 1t was true.
i've got my marriage certificate, "
faltered the nurse. "He says we lived
together. But he can't deny that we
we're married before a minister"
when did this marriage occurr
inquired Deering quietly.
Eight years ago." answered Miss
Lennon. %, why did YOU bring him
here?"
II didn't know. my DEAR" answered
Deering, stroking her arm. There
am sorry. But he Is just q patient,
Just q sick man. He shall not trouble
you"
II don't know about that" answered
Brooks with a snarl.
But know" answered Deerine
sternly. III you married Miss Lennon
eight years ago. your marriage with
Miss Clifford was q bigamous one.
well. guess she won't like to be
told she wasn't legally married.
sneered Brooks.
"She will not be told" answered the
doctor quietly. If you modest Miss
Clifford-my wife, as she will be to
morrow, in any way. n you % much q
! dare to let her see your face at any
time, I shall have you clapped into
+, jail for bigamy. And II you dare t.
annoy Miss Lennon either"
| And then an amazing thing hap
| pened. which, as the doctor said after
ward, changed his ideas Of human