Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-09


Just as | reached the stair.head
Andre carried the limp form of Vital
Ergazy into his own room.
'Dr. Bloss." he cried to me.
Coming What is it,"
IAN accident, Remember, What
ever happens it was an accident"
Accident" queried, following
him into the room. which was illumi.
mated by two ncandescents.
Yes. Don't forget that, come
what may. He fell and hurt his head.
See here?"
He put Vital on the bed The drug
fiend was bleeding from rather an
ugly cut on the right temple. His eyes
were open and staring. | saw that the
pupils were larger now. He seemed
conscious. and was making obvious
Efforts TO speak
Tits a-lie." he mouthed pain.
fully. He tried To-
IAN accident, tell you," repeated
Andre with mechanical insistence.
Nothing serious, as you see. Bloss,
briAgs . basin Of warm water. some
HgCl2 tablets and some bandages.
Well h We Wall as good as new in
no time
,Ersaz., exhausted. lay still and
made no further effort to speak,
though his eyes met mine With cold
malice. stared a moment then
Obeyed orders. In three minutes was
back again with the things. had stol-
en- just a seconds time to look in on
Alexandra and assure her that Andre
had taken no harm.
Back at the bedside of the injured
man l silently waited on Andre while
he dressed the hurt. When the last
bandage was securely pinned in place
could contain myself no longer.
Doctor" said |. you must think
me fool to believe this was an acct.
dent"
Miss Bloss.'
mo; | am going TO speak at last.
My duty is to tell the truth, and yours
to hear it. DR.. Ergazy here has been
guilty of gross misconduct in your abb
seEce. He administered tremendous
overdose Of morphia TO himself after
you left, and has been unconscious for
hours; how many, | can't say. My
mind Is not quite clear as to the time
now. It seems years
AT any rate, have been continu.
ously on duty for--for very long
fine. Every responsibility has fallen
on me. have had all the work to do.
He has lain in super all this time
Such conduct | must plainly brand as
infamous
my dear Miss Bloss" protested
Andre. Really"
listen to me- am a physician,
too. and have perfect right to speak,
and l will speak,"
My eyes were blazing now. Ny fists
were clinched. ! trembled with anger
and exhaustion.
you need NOT try to deceive me
with any stories of accidents II you
and he have quarreled on account OF
his villianous action, and you have
punished him as he deserves, SO much
the better. You need not lie to me.
Speak the truth; will respect
you, and so will Alexandra Without
the truth, neither Of us can"
"Miss BlOss"' he cut in decisively,
his voice keen as a razor.blade. "You
forget YOURSELF"
He took me by the arm and forced
me out of the room into the hallway.
| am a strong woman when aroused,
but in his grip seemed child. Never
! before had realized so fully what
mans muscles are.
Il alone can handle this case" he
continued. How dare you interfere
between us? Return to Alexandra at
once! As soon as possible | will come
down and see her. Meanwhile, silence!
Not a word OF this to her, or bitterly
you will regret it,
He closed his hold upon my arm,
which ached where his vise.like grip
had taken It, went back into the room
and closed the door declsively. Not
1 for worlds would have dared open
that door again or even try to have
speech with him.
Nv mind was a wtlter Of wrath and
fear, accumulated by the humiliation
10 which fancied he had subjected