The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-10-30

Terribly worried at the report
brought by the physicians that John
was badly hurt and in danger of dy-
ing, she sat listlessly in the machine
as the Spider sped them over the road
to Idle Wild where the bogus "St.
Luke's Hospital" with its sign especial
ly painted for this purpose by Nor
gan, was situated. AS they drove into
the carriage way and the handsome
building confronted her, she clasped
her hands over her bosom and with
little gasp summoned her fortitude for
the ordeal which lay before her. In
front of the door DR.. Fream and his
assistant helped her carefully down.
and supporting her lightly upon each
side, led her within. Escorting her to
the reception room, they seated her.
Dr., Fream spoke.
eff you will rest and compose your
self for few moments, I will 60 and
see in what condition the patient is.
If he is well enough to see you, will
take you to him. But impIore you,
Miss, to bear this in mind. While I
expect you will find him alive and con-
scious, you must be prepared for a
shock when you first see him." Bow
ing gravely to her he left the room,
while the distressed girl, biting her
lip and with fingers clenched, subdued
her wild impulse to follow him and
throw herself at the bedside Of the
man she loved SO dearly.
Morgan, his coat and collar off and
wearing a white shirt, was standing
in a room upstairs which had been
fitted up as hospital private room,
when his confederate, Fream, entered.
SIS she here?" he asked. The other
nodded.
"Then Wen get busy" Placing him
self upon the bed Morgan covered
himself while Fream bandaged his
head and the other confederate donned
a white hospital interne's uniform.
When Fream had finished the entire
head of the Hawk was swathed in
bandages, save for one eye which had
been left unbound that the pretended
sufferer might see. This done, Fream
turned the light low and returned to
the lower floor.
Ethel was standing at the window
looking out into the darkness when
he entered. Noting the fluttering of
her lips and the heaving Of her bosom,
and fearing that she was about to col
lapse beneath the nervous strain, he
FASTENED to her.
"Yes, he is still alive" he said hur-
riedly. "He wants you to do some
thing-some strange request. If you
can comply with 1t, I believe it will
help him in his fight for life.'
"AnythingP' she cried passionately.
Anything he may ask. Only take me
to him at once" Taking her by the
arm, he led her from the room.
Softly he opened the door and
Ethel, feeling herself growing faint
and dizzy, stood gazing into the sub
duedly lighted room. At the sight Of
the bandaged one in the bed, she ut
tered low cry and started impulsive-
ly forward, but the hand of Fream
held her ba ck.
"Slowly and quietly" he warned ia
a low tone. Realizing that she must
control herself, the girl slowed her
pace. She kneeled beside the bed
and one hand lovingly touched the
bandages.
81 am SO glad that you are alive,
dear. You will live for me, John,
won't you?" By a slight movement of
the head, the swathed one Indicated
that he wished to speak to her. She
bent closer to him, her ear turned to
catch his whispered words.
"He asks me to marry him, so il
he dies" She buried her face in her
hands, but regained her self controlt
and looked up at Fream. 81 am ready.
Send for a minister" she said.
''It will help him." returned Fream
soberly.
slow strange his voice sounds" she
said. A slight smile crept to the lips
of the physician.
"What would you expect when one
has been burned nearly to death, be-
sides being terribly cut? The wonder
is that he can speak at ALL" Silently
she nodded her understanding.
Fream, stepping into the next room.
spoke to the Spider who sat there
smoking.
1.-THE girl is ready. Take the car and
get the Reverend DR.. Preston and
bring him here as quick as the devil
will let you. Then in ten minutes we
will have the thing cinched." Leaping
to his feet, the Spider went hurrying
on his mission.
Leaving their machine, John and
Rainface walked up to the house. All
was dark within, nor did any re-
Spouse come to their ringing of the
bell. With vague suspicion crawling
into their minds they walked about
the place, inspecting it closely. Then
as the sound Of an approaching auto
smote their ears, they ran to the front
Of the building and peeped around q
corner just as the Spider and another
man who was Enthusiastically minister
entered the door. Now wholly sus-
picious and alarmed, they FASTENED to