Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-12-28
BY
GEORGE ALLAN ENGLAND.
Copyright,
The Frank A. Munsey Co.

Perfectly. Every symptom and
condition points to perfect success
How long now? Have they
said?"
Impossible to tell. You must bear
1t till all the indications tell us it is
time to free YOU"
"A fortnight perhaps?"
Even month would not be too
great price to pay for the reward"
l comforted her. But it can't be as
long as that, I'm sure. Two weeks at
the outside ought to see you free
being"
She lay there inert moment, evil
IDENTIFY thinking. Then she wrote a
single word
"Patience!" and gave no further
sign Of activity
Certain changes had taken place in
the cages on her arm, due to the
slight excitement OF the conversation,
and had to make adjustments. These
done and the records set down, ! once
more took my place beside her. gazing
with wonder and great compassion
at that motionless, swathed form.
within which lay the greatest hopes
OF the Ideal lat man had ever known.
Something of the W, mans stole
fortitude and bravery tou> ned me
very deeply. felt new ard strong
, or sense of love and fidelity to her.
Come what might, | would stand by
her to the end.
Thus that long evening passed.
Hour followed hour fed the patient.
adjusted the implements, and did
all things with accuracy and preci-
sion. Alexandra questioned me no
more, but seemed to have settled
down for the long ordeal with Spartan
endurance.
She may have slept again. | knew
not; nor did disturb .ler after the
ten-thirty feeding. My orders were
to leave her alone as much as posi-
BILE. No mental or bodily excitement
must be allowed to initiate against
the perfect calm necessary for com.
plete success.
Eleven O'Clock came and went (;
eleyen-thirty; midnight. Soon there
after the caisson-door swung, and
Vital Ergazy noiselessly appeared
with that peculiar, catlke stiffness of
his. | smelled the reek Of cigarettes
l.; II ctr m
ing down at the chrysalis. then turned
to me and with hard glance in those
peculiar eyes asked:
Conscious
II don't know"
Everything going all risht?'
Perfectly So
| motoned toward the cages ana
the record charts on the wall.
You can see for yourself, doc
tor"
So great had my aversion for the
man become that only by an effort
could / maintain the outward sem.
blance OF impersonality.
He nodded, carefully inspected
everything, and stroked his beard
Then with that odd upward gesture
OF the hand he dismissed me.
You may go, doctor he said
1T is my watch now. Go and sleep. y
Very WE'LL | accepted. Shall
send you anything-coftee or rolls
or anything at all?"
mo. Mrs. Spragg has gone to bed
long since, and Pm perfectly com
Portable, thank you. | bid you good
night"
His tone was finalty itself.
bowed and retired, thankful for the
chance to rest for few hours after
the strain of my long vigil. But first
l looked once more at him, sitting
there beside the bed, his narrowed
blinking gaze fixed on the motloness
form before him.
Something president of evil to conle
through him fell over ME; the man
whole personality exuded evil. A
strong instinct of protection over AL
exandra welled up in my lreast; bal
there was nothing could alIegt
against Ergazy; there was nothing
could say or do. had only one
course of action-to obey.
Turning, left the ward. But as
closed the caisson.doors behind ne q
heavy sense Of foreboding oppressed
my tired heart.
..... -As-L came put into the broad hall