Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-23

i
| the corridor. At the farther end a
little lamp was burning.
Mrs. Dana went with her quietly,
walking like "A mechanical ngure. At
the head OF the stairs appeared the
matron, wearing IA white wrapper
Behind her Joan saw the startled faces
| OF Myers and Lancaster. The girl let
Mis-. Dana into her room and mis-
Fraser came at her heels. breathing
hard In terror.
"Did she hurt your" she gasped.
How did she get outY Who let her
out? should have told you she was
dangerous. but ] never dreamed ,has
she could pick that lock Did she
did she try to harm you?"
"She had piece OF glass" saiu
Joan. "but took II away from her"
'"rhere was no glass in her room
last evening" said the matron with
conviction.
Lancaster was approaching Joan
was astounded to see the look of anger
| on his face. who opened that door?'
hn shouted
"Its all right now, Doctor Lam
caster" came the matron's voice from
within.
Eut Lancaster was shaking with ex-
element. He swung round upon
Myers.
you are responsible for ths! no
| tIl'hs knOW one DolHt tibt
has TO be carried out. ! told. you TO
have bolt put on the door after she
got out before"
Now. now, doctor don't excite
yourself" said the secretary SCOUT
ingly. You're a sick man, you know.
II was unfortunate, but III see ~
doesn't happen again"
Lancaster seemed beside himself
with fury far more angry, indeed.
|
rant
"She might have killed Miss Went
WORTH" he stormcd. rive STOOD
enough from You without this. rye
suffered you, God knows, until you've
sapped my strength and crushed me
| under your feet, and made me less
of man than the meanest drunkard
In Millville, but now it's ended. Get
out of my sight Leave the institute
tomorrow"
Myers seemed strickened with fear
and agitation. "Why. DOCTOR" he pro-
tested. you don't know what you are
talking about. It's that nurses treat
ment has upret your nerves. 1aats
Just your way, to hire people when
you feel fine and then discharge them
when you amt well. You'll rninls
Letter of II in the morning. I'm not
going any more than Miss Wentworth
aid"
. Lancaster's face was twisted. lie
raised his fist as If to strike Myers.
Joan saw the secretary recoil and sh .
OWNED that the man was a physical
coward
IL tell you I've done with you!"
cried Lancaster. MY minds mace
up. Go ahead and do your worst"
Say" shouted Myers "am I re-
sponsble If that woman got out of
her room What's the sense of pick
ing on me? Didn't you hire a nurse
10 take care of your patients? Amt
Mrs. Dana patient? Now there )
been enough said reckon. You
know what | mean doctor. Better 60
back to your room and forget what
you've said tonight"
III ever | SEQ your face after to-
night. by God, I'll kill you!" shouted
Lancaster.
Myers SUNK away toward the stairs.
"Oh, all right, all right" he answered.
81 reckon you'll he sorry tomorrow
But I'll hold you to what you've saf0.
, I aint going to see that nurse bust up
my work here"
He scowled fearfully at Joan as he
went down the stairs. a grotesque, al
most deformed figure in his loose pa
iamas But Joan hardly needed the
man. She did not know the cause of
Lancaster's sudden outbreak of rage
but she knew that it was part of the
whole dreadful problem and that in
fighting Iancaster's driving devil she
was at work upon the darkest cornc.
of the dark mystery.
| 81 think, Doctor Lancaster You had
better 60 and lie down again." she
said. mo harm has been done. but
| am very sorry you were awakened.
lie was leaning against the wall
looking at her with a strange expires
sion upon his face. He breathed
quickly, like n man in uncomfortable
agitation. Just then the matron came
out of Mrs Danas room"
How did il happen, Mrs. Fraser?'
asked Lancaster
The matron snapped the key In the
lock before answering. II don't know
Doctor Lancaster" she answered
"The locks all right. 1t couldn't have
been picked. And | swear I locked
1t last night. Somebody must have
let her out" ---
That houndv" began Lancaster
but Joan interposed. "She may have
found n key" she said.
The matron shook her head. INC
key would fit that lock except TAI,
right one" she answered.
"Why should anyone tamper witt
that lock-" Lancaster muttered. Sud
denly he broke down and covered hi:
face with his hands. His shoulder
shook ConNulsiNely. Joan put nel
hand on his arm.
Doctor Lancaster, you must ~
back to your room now" she said. Il
was nothing, and II is all ended"
He raised his face. Yes, you arr
right, Miss wentworth" he answered
simply.
The matron had slipped ava!
down the stairs. The secretary wa
pacing his room, slamming open lid
OF trunks and bureau drawers. Joa'
OWNED that It was his threat of leav
ing, designed to reach Lancaster
ears. At the door OF the doctor
room Lancaster hcsitated His furi
Gus rage had burned itself away
leaving him In the reaction of fear anC
weakness. The hands of the clock Il
the hall pointed to s. Joan dare'
not leave Lancaster alone till 6.
But, as II he understood her thots
he said:
Miss Wentworth, II you will sta
with me till 6 II will help me 4
master myself. II is not the fear o
Welding to morphine; It is my thots
II YOU knew how ones life come
crowding upon one in the darkness
-"
"I'n stay with you" said Joan.
at a soyl