Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-10

confess that on my own initiative
had removed the bandages. or ceg-
tainty both he and Vital would lay
the blame squarey on me. KNOWING
Andres impulsive. high-str,ing nature
and the bitter malice that Vital now
bore me, could not doubt that he
tween them they would work my death
once they should discover AleXan.
dras
am no coward but | love life.
had no intention whatever of sacrific.
ing my existence to these rash. bold
men as sequel to having madly
agreed to help them in their impious
work,
Terror gave place to kind Of herd
determination. knew that | intend
ed to survive this tragedy ii possible.
Until the very last gasp in my body
would fight, II fight | must. They
should not have my life in payment
for Alexandra's without territic
struggle.
But first Of all. before We came 10
force, ! must use strategem. An hour
gained even hale that time--might
turn the tide H. my f or AID pre- eiNe
my lie.
"I.ot me ia" nlrdcu hoit; 4.
pounding ut the door Lee me In.
What is the meaning OF all hi Ma,
are you doing in there"
doctor, wal, a ninute-wsit"
called back at him, my voice sounding
faint and distant in my owl ears.
with that poor. lfeless thing
lying there on the bed felt as ii M
hands were guilty OF murder. Not for
worlds could have let the doctor
enter. Yet he must enter some time.
Trapped in that inner room. from
which there was no exit save through
the caisson, | was absolutely az his
mprcy--unless indeed | could escape
by my wits.
stood there ponderins Il moment.
but without finding any hope or plan,
One thing. however, | had to do
could not bear TO see the pitiful vic
tim lying there with uncovered face
all waTen.whte and drawn 1t ocm-
ed accusing me- turned and drew
the coeerlet over the body.
Outside ! could hear the man still
chatting and mut.ering TO himself.
Again he knocked, more sayacely
than before
What are you doing in there" he
demanded. admit me at once or
shall use f0rce."
Some unknown fxe flared in me.
sensed the terrible wrong these men
had done--one through his vice, the
other through his absence. They had
murdered her, and now they sought 10
murder me as we'll unlocked the
inner door, then The outcr, and flung
it open.
doctor exclaimed. facing him
with eyes that ] knew must have
burned like brands. doctor. for The
moment YOU NUT yield. | forbid YOU
10 enter here."
"Yoq - forbid me?" he stammered.
looking first at me, then trying to see
The bed.
But this he could not do. Its posi-
ton in the ward was such that his line
OF vision from the outer door could
not reach II.
You forbid me? You? he re.
peated.
~ do"
"Que diable? How dare you tell
me shall not see Alexandria"
II forbid you TO see--it.''
The word fell involuntarily from my
lips. =
"lt?" he exclaimed. ut? For the
love Of Heaven, Bloss. what do you
meen?"
ne seized my wrist and brutally
drew me toward him. He took my
chin In his other hand--how strong
the man was--and turned 1t up to his
and peered long moment into my
eyes. seeking to read this mystery.
90; leave mel" commanded.
Leave me half an hour--a few min
utes--only 90, go. Wl"
p With an oath he flung me aside.
dahhing me violently against the jamb
of the door. clutched and caught a,
him IN desperation, but vainly. One
sleeve Of his raindrenched shirt tore