Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-10-14

go away From me? Is 1t BE-
cause OF Mrs. Dana?"
Because Of her. John"
But she Is nothing to me. She
was never anything. Even my mono
ma MIA of revenge rose out OF wounded
pride, not love. Surely you will not
leave me because / once thought ]
loved another"
1T isn't that, John. But. you see.
she has been an integral part of your
life all these years. Even though her
mind was gone there was the con-
sciousness of her presence that ate
into your brain; she was the main
spring Of your existence here. She
would have been your wife today but
for that dastard's scheme. She Is In
nocent, she has been deeply wronged.
and her life has become bound up
with yours indissolubly. You see.
John. there 10 no getting away from
that"
Joan. don't you know she hates
me? She thinks that my death will
avenge her wrongs and cure her Of
her troubles She has tried three
times to kill me. In some mysterious
manner she has learned the location
of my room. Once she stabbed me in
the wrist with table knife. Once
she got the matron's revolver, but
fortunately II was unloaded. / have
been planning TO send her somewhere
where she could be better cared for
and where my presence would not be
a constant incitation to her"
Joan shook her head. 1T Is all
part Of the past" she said. zone can't
cancel the past. One must just carry
1t with one and try to profit by 1t. You
know that. John"
"You do not love me, Joan?"
She turned her face away; the
tears that filled her eyes came from
the depths Of her being. Lancaster
took both her hands in his.
you love me, Joan?"
! TOO well to wrong you and my.
self"
He drew her toward him and She
against his with his arms about her.
She could not stir. A strange physical
lethargy seemed to hold her limbs. but
her will was unshaken.
Your last word. Joan?" whispered
Ian caster.
mo, dear" she answered.
The humorous look that came at
such odd moments into Lancaster's
| eyes flickered there now. Your very
last ?" he asked.
20 don't ask me to deny my resolu-
She released herself and stood be-
side him. AS she did 80 she had n
sensation as IL her feet rested on a
cushion Of air. Her physical weakness
was matched by her sense OF insta-
bility: she longed with all her heart
TO lean within the arms Outstretched
toward her: she knew that, II she
had given Lancaster life. he could give
her the strength OF life: he was o.,
her own people. and all that was chi
,alric and dear in the land she had
loved seemed to be embodied in him.
And before her she saw the closing
hospital walls of some far distant city;
she must exile herself from every
thing that she had known.
"You little stubborn thing. Joan W
| said Lancaster tenderly. But I shall
go on loving you"
II shall love you, john"
81 shall hear from you eumes?
yes And I shall remain In Avoi'
mouth until your battle is won. But
there will be no battle. They know
! that they are beaten. You will never
| be weak again."
NO" said Lancaster. But. OH
Joan. II you had said yes to me VI
would have been so easy"
with the maternal feeling that is
part of every woman's love for tho
man she loves. she stopped and kissed
his forehead.
you must try to sleep now." sha