Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-09-29


cobblestones, rocking the wounded man
pitifully.
To John Merkle the ride was terrible,
with a drunkard at the relns and In
his arms perhaps fatally injured
man, who, despite the tortures Of that
humping carriage, interspersed his
groans with cries of Hurry, hurry"
When he felt the grateful smoothness
of Fifth avenue beneath the wheels he
leaned forth second time and warned
Bob. "Be careful Of the Waterman In
the block"
The liquor In Bob was dying; he bent
downward to inquire, is he all rlghtf"
Merkle nodded then withdrew his
head
The Harmon residence has changed
owners Of late, but many people recall
It's tragic associations and continue 10
point it out with interest 1t is II mas
sive pile of gray stone, standing just
east OF Fifth avenue, and Its bronze
doors open upon an exclusive, we'll
kept side street. At the farther corner,
dimly discernibe beneath the radiance
Of street light, Bob made out the
Waterman, now Mt the end Of his pa.
troll. The moment was propitious;
there could be no further delay.
Bob reined in and leaped from his
box. Merkle had the cab door open
and was hosting Harmon from his
seat
Have you got the key?' Bob asked,
swiftly.
"Yes. Help me! He's tainted, I
think"
They lifted the half-conscious man
out, then with him between them strug
gled up the steps; but lannon's feet
dragged; he hung very heavy in their
arms.
Merkle was not a strong man; he
was painting, and his hands shook as
he fumbled with the lock. The key
escaped him and tinkled upon the
stone.
Hurry! Here comes the watch
man. Bob was gazing over his shout
der at the slowly approaching figure
A second but briefer delay, and they
stood in the gloom of the marble foyer
hall Then they shufled across the
floor to the great, curving stairway.
Harmon had assured them that there
would be no one In the house except
Orson, his man, and some Of the kitch
en- servants, the others having followed
their mistress to the country; neverthe
less the rescuers' nerves were painfully
taut, and they tried to go as silently
as burglars; when they finally gained
the library, they were drenched with
perspiration. Merlle switched on the
lights; they deposited the wounded
man on a couch and bent over him.
Harmon was not dead. Merkle felt
his way into the dArkened regions at
the rear and returned with glass of
spirits. Under his and Bob's ministra
tons the unconscious man opened his
eyes.
"You got me here didn't your" he
whispered, as he took In his surround
ings. Now go--everything is all
right"
We're not going to leave you,"
Merkle said. positively
"Now echoed Bob. I'm wake up Or
son while John telephones the doctor"
But Harmon forbade Bob's move
ment with frown. 1t was plain that
despite his weakness his mind re.
NAMED clear.
Listen to me-" he ordered. Prop
me up-put me IN that chair. I'm
choking" They did as he directed.
THAT'S better. Now, you mustn't be
seen here-either of you. We cant
explain" He checked Merkle. Il
know best Go home; it's only two
blocks-I'll telephone"
You'll ring for Orson quick?"
Harmon nodded.
"ROtten way to leave man." Bob
mumbled. "I'd rather stick it out and
face the music
60 go! You're wasting time"
Hammon's brow was wrinkled with
pain and anger. You've been good;
now hurry"
Merkles thin face was marked with
1eep feeling. Yes" he agreed.
"There's nothing else for us to do; but
tell OrSon to phone me quick I'll be
back here in five minutes" Then he
and Bob stole out of the house as qui-
city as they had stolen in.
They got into the cab and drove
away without exciting suspicion.
Merkle alghted two blocks up HE ave
nue. and sped to his own house; Bob
turned his faded nag westward through
the sunken road that led toward the
Elegancia and Lorelei.
The owner of the equlpage was wait
ing patiently, and there still lacked
something OF the allotted hour when
the exchanged garments had been
transferred to their respective owners.
Bob walked toward the Elegancia with
n feeling of extreme fatigue in his
limbs. for the effort to conquer his in
toxication had left him weak; he dImly
realized also that he was still far from
sober.
There was no answer when he rang
at Lilas Lynn's apartment; the hall
boy volunteered the information that
he occupant had just gone out with a
gentleman. Miss Knight? Yes, she
was upstairs, he supposed Bob was
surprised Mt his wife's apparent self
control when she let him in. Except
for the slim hand pressed to her bosom
and the anxiety turing in her deep
blue eyes, she might have just come
from the theater. Those eyes, he not
ed were very dark, almost black, un.
der this emotional stress; they ques.
toned him, mutely.
1--WE got him home all right" he told
her, when they stood facing each othel
in the tiny living room.
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