The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-11-16
ssThe WOman'S Law
BY Thompson Copyright by Frederick Stokes Co.
NEXT WEEK. "CAPN ERR BY JOSEPH G. LINCOLN

moved swiftly up the two impos-
ing flights of stairs to his study.
The doctor was already seated.
well, what have you learned?"
INTERCEPTED the alienist crisply.
circuit flung himself into a
chair.
"Um-nothing," grunted the
other. II expected as much. Now
what?"
Il must know, of course"
"When?"
To-day. Vance is to be operat-
ed on tomorrow. l must be here
with him till he goes south, then
both his mother and l must take
him. l just gave him that assur-
ance. Gail will not consent to the
plan unless this matter Is cleared
up. and she knows ! can no longer
lay claims as a husband"
81 telephoned Mrs. circuit before
I came and made an engagement
for II o'clock. The which 1t is
now. Come. Wen go together and
interview her."
Gail received them in the IL
brary. -.
"Just a word first" she pro-
nounced in trembling voice. Il
thought this interview was to be
with you alone, doctor. No mat
ter. Please proceed to It; only I'M
derstand that the relations be-
tween Mr.. circuit and myself are
purely personal and private. Either
as friend or physician, you must
not speak for him. He and /
"Ah!" The Doctors prominent
Jaw shot forward. "How was Mr..
circuit when you last heard from
him?" Your husband Is lucky to
have Doctor Manton for a physi-
cian-wonderful mani"
The man who loved Gail circuit
pushed a chair under her sinking
Don't be afraid, dear. In the
end he'll be your friend, as ! am
frame.
as l am, remember.
The alienist seated himself by
the table.
Mrs, circuit, will you please
tell us your story?"
Gail stared at him with glazed
eyes.
He broke the long silence that
followed with a short laugh.
"You want first to learn how
much I know, in truly diplomatic
fashion. Listen, Mrs. Orcutt:
George Orcutt was passenger on
the steamer San Giorgio to Italy
on the day after he killed Lucas
Emmett. He sailed under the name
of George Ormond, and he still
goes by that name. He is now in
Paris under the care OF Doctor
Manton. Your husband has incipi-
ent paresis; he is incurable, but
may live for years, a burden to
himself and to every one connect
ed with him. l have learned about
him as q case and your secret is
not known outside this room. !
knew from the beginning that my
patient was not George Orcutt, and
I have worked steadily to learn
his identity. It is only this week
that I have all the facts.
"Who is the man beside you?
That Is what I want to learn from
you, Mrs. Orcutt."
AS the narrative proceeded, a
faint excitement trickled through
Calls leaden brain.
At the doctors terse, who is
the man beside your" she started
up as though electrically shocked.
Wildly, like a creature hunted
by bloodhounds. she fled to the
furthermost corner Of the room.
Puzzled by so strange a move,
the alienist arose. alert to learn
what such conduct meant.
my Heaven, Underwood, call II
off! | don't care a rap who I am, )"
cried circuit.
Very gently, Underwood, all
physician now that he read illness
in her fevered eyes, guided her to
a chair and bent her unresistina
body to its depth.
! Come, now; come" he soothed
| There is no one going to injure
you, no one. Get q small glass OF
water, circuit" Smiling, his voice
running on in cheerful. friendly
tone, the doctor stirred a white
powder in the water. Drink this
All, that's good. Now, rest little. .
Underwood" cried the younger
man. Isn't this enough-for to-
day anyhow? You're driving heI
mad-and me. You hold the whir
hand-be merciful."
THE most merciful thing to her
Just now is to go to the end with