Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-02-03

portrayed bitter hopelessness. but
there was mingled with It a demoniacal
look of resolve. The look did not 60.
cape a 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 1t contained
its deadly load. He moved to tho
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 a moment. Dick. need
the air"
Can | trail along?"
You needn't. I'll be right back"
He stepped forward, but the report
er backed along in front Of him. As
they neared the door Reynolds made
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 floor.
Let me go!" Reynolds shouted.
Damn you. Meade, knew you'd do
that. Let me go, will you! You don't
know what he's done to me or you'd
help instead of stop me. Let me go!"
The noise of the struggle brought
Jane from the dining room. She stood
half way a moment, watching the con-
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
a quick movement the reporter
reached for Reynolds hip pocket. He
secured the revolver, but as he loosed
one hand to do so. Bob, with lurch,
broke from his grasp and stood pant
ing before him.
Give me that pistol" he ordered.
He got only quiet smile and a
shake of the head from his friend.
Then, damn 1t, I'll do 1t with my
hands!" he cried and rushed toward
the door,
Jane staggered after him.
"Bob-Bob, dear! My boy! My hus-
band!" she called beseechingly. The
of her tone, the love note
in her voice, arrested him for a mo-
ment where the antagonism OF his
friend had only accentuated his hys-
terra. He stopped and looked at har.
Bob" she cried softly, come back
back with me. l know I've been to
blame. It's all my fault"
He only looked and his eyes sudden
" were befogged with tears. His
hands dropped again. The same in
srtia as before overcame him. He
started back toward her. tottered and
ell headlong to the floor.
The terror stricken wife stopped |
Ind caught his head in her hands.
1t with kisses.
Bob! Bob! Speak to mel" she
,ried
She pressed open his eyelids, her
,wn tears mingling with his, while
Dick, with more practical mind, forced
brandy through his lips and sent her
o the kitchen for Ice They packed
he broken ice about his head and
hated his hands, but In vain. He gave
10 sign Of returning consciousness.
Their physician lived only a few
oors away and in a few minutes. hav-
ng been summarily aroused by Dick.
10 was bending over his neighbours
ide.
"A nervous collapse" he said SEN
entiously. He mixed a stimulant and
some Of 1t. Get some
I this into him every Is minutes and
ell come around His heart action IL
ood," he added, bending an ear to
.eynolds' chest. IT'S only a question
time-minutes maybe hours, but
here Is no immediate danger. Come"
9 finished CURLY. addressing Dick.
we'll carry him up to his roou."
Jane followed and. weeping silently.
elped to get her husband into bed
he doctor. like all others assured
lat there was no pressing r<ril. pre-
AIRED to resume his broken rest, but
ane would not let him go. He sat
own resignedly, feeling Of the strick.
q mans pulse and from time to time
the stimulant as he had
rected. At last Reynolds lids parted
nd he stared weakly about. He looked
at the doctor. but as Jane
melt and pressed her lips to his he
her and spoke her name.
That's ALL" the physician said es
. arose. Never mind the medicine
Nv. I'll send a nurse in the morning.
our husband needs q rest, Mrs. Reg
olds-a good one. As soon as he !,
. get him away from business. and
from other things"
He looked significantly at Dick, who