East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-02-12

49,
pretty lips pouted with impotence
and her little foot tapped more and
more sharply on the polished hard
wood Of the upper hallway floor.
At last she heard slow steps o
the laboratory. Then followed a FUN
bling at the lock. The door opened
and Montrose appeared.
i've nearly worn my knuckles 20
the bone banging at this horrid door,
she pouted. do you always Keep
people waiting 90 long?"
"When 1 get to puttering over my
experfments," he evaded, I'm so alb
sorbed in what I'm doing tina l never
hear anything"
'"rhen it is time you reformed" de-
cIared Florence. with an air OF posi-
tive finaIity. i've come up here 10
tell you something tremendously m
portant. So brace yourself to hear a
thrilling bit of news"
"Of news?" he asked, ouDied
"what news?" o
the sun is shining gioriously. ana
the wind Is from the south. Ana tine
birds are singing"
"wel?'
."Well." replied Florence. That's
tina news. 1 came all the way up here
"A tell YOU. Because 1 knew you'd
navar. never find it out for your
elf. in this dingy old laboratory. uhe
dav IN too lovely for working over a
lot ~ silly experiments. I've come
10 take you away with me,
where"
I'm busy, darling" he said. as n
apeakinR to a spoiled child i
haven't time to leave my work today
Tomorrow, perhaps, =
.aThen I'm going to discipline you,
che laughed. Unto being more obedl-
ant. ri sdt here, till
dIacreet knock at the laboratory
door interrupted her. She noticed
With curiosity the look of worry That
crossed her fathers indulgently smf-
ing face as he went to the door.
Felix stood outside. He had come
IN Harold Stanley's arrival.
Florence. at sound of-Stan!ey's name,
wholly forgot her intention to coerce
DR.. Montrose into submission. She
ran eagerly downstairs to greet the
visitor.
The doctor looked ahectionateiy
after her; then, as she vanished down
the stairway, he turned BACK WIN q
viRh. to his laboratory. On the thresh-
old he halted with a sharp
ton of surprise and annoyance.
In front of him was Vanya Tosca.
So quietly had she slipped into the
room that DR.. Montrose was not
aware of her presence until he was
lace TO face with her.
How did you get in here?" he
rasped.
BY the usual way" was her light
reply.
rive told you to keep out, all Of
YOU said M%ontrose harshly.
Dear mel" cooed Nanya, mock
lneIv. as she moved closer to her irate
host. ITO hear you talk, l would
almost think you weren't glad to see
me-"
I'm not!" he returned, brushing
Iway the soft hand she laid so cling
ngIy on his shoulder. What do you
Eant?"
whist q question:" she exclaimed,
in the same tone of raillery. "Wha
do you suppose 1 want? To make
you come out with me into the sun
sinner"
You were sneaking around here
and heard"
L nedIu gphi pretty NoNehNOA 'oAh
ing with you. Yes. I'm glad you
didn't let her take you u into the
sunshine as she begged to.
Your place is here. in the shadows,
dear DR.. Montrose. Where you a
best serve your patients"
What do you want?" sharply re-
peated the doctor, angered at her
slurring mention of Florence.
Vanya Tosca sighed YEARLY, as
one compelled to teach an old lesson
over again to a stupid child,
why do we have to go through
this tiresome scene every time any
Of us come for treatment" she de-
manded. you know you've got to
give it to us. You daren't refuse.
Pierre La Rue is your master, DR..
Montrose. You annot say no when
Pierre La Rue says yes Or when
I say IL in his name"
As she spoke she made a seemingly
eimless gesture with her appraised
right arm. At sight Of il, the doctor
dinched. as IL at a blow.
After a moment Of fierce irresolu-
ton he groaned and crossed to the
apparatus.
Ten minutes later Vanya quilted
the laboratory. Instead OF leaving
the house by her usual u she
hesitated on the upper landing, then
hearing voices In the library below.
she began silently to descend the
broad staircase.
h had recognized the gayiy chat
ting voices as Harold Stsnley's and
Florence's. Outside the library door
she paused, listening-just as Flor
ence said:
Yes. he's working too hard and
be goes out too little. 1 was trying
to coax him int going horseback
riding with us when Felix told me you
were here. But II was no use."
Couldn't you persuade him. re-
turned Stanley. II should think any
one not made OF Rdamant would sue
cumb to FOUR pleading"
You would not think anything OF
the sort" she answered. half Jest
ingiy. You're just a. hard to drag
away from your work a. dad Ia
Whenever I want you to 80 anywhere
With me lately you say you can't BE-
causa you're too busy"
I'm never too busy TO oome when
yOu want me-" he declared.
Then 20 riding With me-" she In
slated. since we rot the second car
eur two saddle horses are eating