The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-01-08

Fream. Sup't." and dismounted from
their vehicle.
Meanwhile AZ to Ethel.
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 q
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.
Or. Fream spoke.
III you will rest and compose your
self for a few moments, will 20 and
see in what condition the patient IL.
If he Is well enough to see you. will
tnke you to him. But lmplore you,
Miss, to bear this in mind. While /
expect you will find him alive and con-
scious, yen 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 cienched, subdued
her wild impulse to follow him and
throw herself at the bedside Of the
man she loved 50 dearly.
Morgan, his coat and collar of and
wearing a white shirt, was standing
in a room upstairs which had been
fitted up as q hospital private room,
when his confederate. Fream, entered.
els she hereY he usked. TIE other
nodded.
"Then we'll get busy" Placing him
self upon the bed Morgan covered
himself while Fream banAaged his
head and the other confederate donned
. white hospital 4nternes 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
the lower floor.
Ethel was standing at the window
looking cut 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
hastened 70 her.
"Yea, he u sun alive" he said hur-
rfedly. 'He wants you to do some
thing-soase strange request. II you
can comply with It, believe It will
help him b his night for life"
"Anythiugi" she cried passionately.
Anything be may ask. Only take me
to him At once" TAXING her BY the
arm, ~ sed her from the room.
softly he opened the door and
Ethel. feeling herself growing faint
and dizzy, stood gaxing into the sub
duediy lighted room. At the sight Of
the haadaeed one In the bed. she ut
tered . low cry and started impulsive-
" forward. but the hand Of Fream
held her back.
SLOWLY and quietly he warned in
q low toee. RealisiAg that she must
control herself. the girl slowed her
pace. She kneeled beside the bed
and one hand lovingly touched the
handaees.
II am ~ glad thst you are alive,
dear. You will live for me, John,
won't yeu1" BY 4 sliGAt movement Of
the head, the swathed one Indicated
that he wished to speak to her. She
bent closer 10 him, her ear turned to
catch his whispered words.
HE asks me to masry him, % II
he dies She buried her face in her
hands. but regained her self control
and looked Up at Fream- n am ready.
Send for q minister" she said.
"1t will help him." returned Fream
soberiy.
'How strange his voice sounds" she
said. A slight smile creF to the lips
Of the physician.
"What would you expect when one
has been burned nearly 10 death, be-
sides being terribly cut1 he wonder
is that he can speak at ALL" Silently
she nodded her understanding.
Frean,. stepping into the next room,
spoke to the Spider who sat there
smoking.
The girl is ready. Take the car and
get the Reverend DR.. Preston and
bring him here as quick as tho devil
will let you. Then In ten minutes We
win have the thing cinched." Leaplng
to his feet, the Spider went hurrying
ON his mission.
Leaving their machine. John and
walked up to the house. All
was dark within. nor did any re-
sponse come to their ringing Of the
bell. With vague suspicion crawling