Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-03-17


there was mingled with It demoniacal
look of resolve. The look did not es-
cape a silent spectator on the stairs.
Reynolds stepped briskly now to a
little cabinet beside the piano and
bent over it, opening a concealed slide.
A bit of shining blue metal flashed in
his hands and he turned the cylinder
quickly to make sure that 1t contained
it's 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, l should say"
"Only for a moment, Dick. l need
the air."
Can | trail along?"
You needn't I'll be right bach.
. 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 a quiet smile and a
shake of the head from his friend.
Then, damn 1t, I'll do it with my
hands!" he cried and rushed toward
the door.
Jane staggered after him.
"Bob-Bob, dear! My boy! My nus
band!" she called beseechingly. The
tenderness of her tone, the love note
in her voice, arrested him for a mo-
ment where the antagonism OF his
friend had only accumulated his hys-
:eria. He stopped and looked at hsE.
Bob" she cried softly, come back
back with me. I know I've been to
blame. It's all my fault"
He only looked and his eyes sudden
y were befogged with tears. His
hands dropped again. The same. in
,rtia as before overcame him. He
tarted back toward her, tottered and
ell headlong to the floor.
The terror stricken wife stopped
md 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
randy 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
o sign of returning consciousness.
Their physician lived only few
oors away and in few minutes, hav.
lg been summarily aroused by Dick,
g was bending over his neighbours
lde.
"A nervous collapse" he said SEN
entiously. He mixed stimulant and
some of It, Get some
this into him every Is minutes and
ell come around. His heart action-is
ood," he added, bending an ear to
eynolds' chest. ITS only a question
I time-minutes, maybe hours, but
lere Is no immediate danger. Come"
9 finished CURLY, addressing Dick.
we'll carry him up to his room"
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-.
ared to resume his broken rest, but
me would not let him go. He sat
,wn resignedly, feeling Of the strick.
, mans pulse and from time to time
the stimulant as he had
rected. At last Reynolds lids parted
I'd he stared weakly about. He looked
lcantly at the doctor. but as Jane
lelt and pressed her lips to his h.
her and spoke her name.
That's ALL" the physician said ef ,,
, arose. Never mind the medicina
w. I'll send nurse in the morning.
our husband needs a rest, Mrs. Reg
,lds-a good one. As soon as he =
, get him away from business, and {
from other things"
He looked significantly at Dick, who
,dded a knowing assent. Then he
do hir, uood NIGHT