Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-07

Z aNhih- Suuu'NN lay lHuuSU l tuuiu
not explain it felt unreasonng anx.
ioty, boding, inchoate. vague, yet OPP
pressive as a chill sea-mist that
sweeps in across the sunlit shore TO
blot away the light.
Il will CO. said l. And you--you
will be all right here alone for few
minutes"
yes. Go now and meet him. But
wait, doctor; one thing more"
"Well?"
Are you going to tell him immedi-
ately what has happened"
Why, yes, l must, suppose. He
will probably ask at any rate. though
he can hardly be expecting it so
soon
eff he doesn't ask, doctor, please
don't tell him"
'Don't---tell him."
Not quite yet, beg YOU Let me
have a little sleep first; at any rate.
little rest in darkness. | am not quite
myself now II he comes in here i'm.
mediately there's bound to be a scene.
1t can't be avoided You know his
nervous, emotional, highstrung TEN.
permanent. can't endure it now to see
| him.
Let me wait until morning, doctor.
/ You must, must arrange matters so
can wait, Ii is not far away now.
Only few hours more till day. Let
me have those few hours to rest in.
and | will thank YOU all my ife."
Swiftly | pondered and thought TO
understand the womans motive and
her mood, She seemed in the right.
entirely reasonable and just
"lll do my best" promised.
Now let me go Compose yourself,
my dear, and rest. III 90 and meet
him. II he discovers Vital Ergazy's
condition and what the man has done
before | head him off there's bound
to be friehtful quarrel. I'll obviate
! that if | can. Whatever can be done
shall be.
Rest. Alexandra. Have confidence
in me. III come back as soon as nos.
sible. Now must go
Heaven bless you DOCTOR" she
fervently exclaimed, looking Up at me
with those extraordinary eyes. NO.
body has ever understood me as Won
do. Go. And Heaven keep you,'
Thus left the wonderful creature
never again, alas! to behold her as
| beheld her at that moment-and
fastened through the surgery out into
the broad, front hallway.
Brodeur was bending over the fire
stirring i to Il blaze with the heavy
old-fashioned poker His rain.soaked
greatcoat lay on the couch, dripping.
Little pools of water had already
formed on the hardwood floor: and
these, az the light of the Goals struck
them, glowed red--lite red pools
that somehow seemed menacing 10 me
and ominous and evil
AT sound of my footsteps the doctor
Strengthened up and faced me. saw
he was spent and pale, with deepllned
face and eyes beneath which purple
marks were visible, almost like
bruises on the white skin. He was
both wet and mud-splashed; his riehl
hand was bleeding a little,
His heavy, curly hair, now in disar-
ray. crowned his high forehead with
an effect singuarly attractive 10 my
eyes. The man, exhausted as he was.
looked thoroughly alive, dominant and
full of power
FOR The first time, as We faced each
other there in the hallway by the fire.
| noticed him distinctly as man. Till
now had considered him as a physi.
clan only. a coworker in the great
case. But now. viewing him in diff.
ferent light, suddenly comprehended
what this man might be to woman.
Might be. Would be? Who could
tell?
These and other thoughts and cues.
tionings crowded my brain as | adj.
vanced toward him felt the ire.
mendous difficulty Of the part had TO
play in concealing Alexandra's meta.
morphosis yet little while; yet bold.
ly faced the man and smiled as in.
quired.
so then, doctor, you've had an ac,
cdent?"
My own face as | caught sight of il
in the big mirror over the fireplace
was wan and white, but my smile
held true.
Accident. doctor?",
He nodded, shiyering a little.
Worse luck; yes" he exclaimed.
flinging the poker down with intense
irritations.
Il fell changing on the brickwork.
1.-TWO OF them he stormed on.
81 hat COMPOUNDED coachman/o of mine.
Mem dun nom. | could strangle the
loot with my bare hands"
What happened
THE fool took wrong turning
two miles the other side OF Flushing,
t, begin with We've been over The I
road dozen times or a score; but
Just because the night was dark and q
stormy he had 10 20 and wander miles
out of his way before he even f.
II out.