Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-04
BY
GEORGE ALLAN ENGLAND.
Copyright,
The Frank A. Munsey Co.

She nodded. turned and hurried
from the room. eager for the mirror
That. knew would occupy her mind
and quiet her as nothing else could do
In . somewhat confused state of mind
wondering greatly at the marvels /
had seen--not yet fully able to believe
the reality Of 1t ALL ran through the
surgery. along the hall, and up the
stairs to my own room. There
snatched up the heavy beveled hand.
glass ] had brought from my New
York apartment with me, and started
to return.
On my way back along the upper
hall ! passed the shattered door Of
Vital Ergazy. Involuntary ! paused
. moment. hoping agans; hope that
the beast might have awakened from
his drusged stupor and be able to
give the urgently necessary help |
needed in this crisis, when one false
move or error Of judgment on my part
might work irreparable ruin.
Even though it invc'"-d the loss OF
a minutes time, decided 70 summon
him one more. walked boldly into
the ro0l, call ng his name:
Doctor. Doctor Are you aw; ke?'
No answ2r The place vas en- rely
dark. The student-lamp had burned
itself out, leaving stencil oil char"cd
wick. On the table. knew, were
matches. CROPPED my way thither,
found a match, and struck it, then
located the electric button and threw
on the incandescents.
A single glance showed me that all
my hopes were nnfounded There
on the bed, sprawled in an attitude of
complete abandon. sill lay Vital En-
gazy. almost in the same attitude as
when had last seen him In the
hours that had elapsed the brute had
moved hardly at ALL
Useless, hopeless TO expect any aid
nom that quarter. Equally futile to
try arOusing him. The entire reSpon'
sibility, saw, must still rest on my
shoulders till Brodeur should return.
Heaven grant 1t may be soon,' |
murmured, and turned to leave the
room.
But suddenly stopped again.
There, on table under the window
overlooking the back yard had sud
denly seen the doctors Photographic
apparatus. Ergazy, knew, had fitted
up dark room by utilizing huge
clothescloset adjoining his apart
ment Evidently he had been loading
the cameras and making ready to re
cord the results of he great expert.
ment. Now that the hour had come,
there he lay inert and stupefied. I'm.
able to seize the occasion.
Mentally condemned him to eter.
nal torment, and without another
glance at him returned downstairs
once more.
quickly made my way back TO
Alexandra Mirror in hand, | reached
her. She still lay there, obedient and
calm, a picture so radianlly beautiful
under the shaded glow Of the single
light which now illuminated the ward
that ! paused despite myself 10 won.
der at her admirable perfection.
The effect was magnificent beyond
all feeble words of mine She lay
there on the pillow. her face framed
In that extraordinary hair 49, glossy.
black hair. with blush lnts like those
YOU have probably seen in the wing.
feathers of a crow: hair that showed
4 little tendency to wave: hair that
crowned her with regal splendor.
As I came in the long.lashed eyelds
lifted. and she looked at me. | never
had seen before. nor have | wit.
messed snce-nobody, | am sure, has
even seen-such eyes. Their confor.
nation was in itself a miracle. and
their hue defied comparison. The
nearest smile is that they showed
deep. translucent purple, like the
heart of a big wood.violet such as
sometimes grows In shaded places
along some little brook half hidden in
the moss. Thin, golden situations
sparkled amid that purple. Not even
In dreams had | ever imagined such
eyes could be.
"The mirror." she whispered Gag
erly. Give 1t to me-"
Here Il is. Alexandra. replied.