The Lamar register., 1920-05-12
A GRIPPING
ROMANCE
BY OTILLIA r. PFEIFFER

NOylStOn. Inc men All IKE II.
rs he really cousin?" inquired
Prudence Blake of her sister. n spin
sler like herself though ten years her
senior.
swell, maybe third or fourth. re-
moved. but he hasn't many Of near kin.
and 1t is probably because Of our re
Iationship, distant though IT may be.
cruii his health in
why. is he an invnlidT questioned
the seemingly artless Prudence.
mo. but he has been victim Of the
prevailing grip epidemic and his doc
tor said a few weeks convalescence
away from business cares was neces
sary"
"Yes. we must be helpful and kind
to the sick and weak" sighed Pru'
dence pathetically.
you mean we must seize all golden
opportunities" reported Dorcas tartly,
valuing the sinpering platitudes of
her sister at their true worth. Cousin
ROylston Is n man of means, com
pHratively young man, hnd-who
knows?" And Dorcas prepared to put
her coddling system Into practical
operation. and Prudence hunted up
her most captivating ribbons and laces.
Ward Roylston heaved sigh Of relief
nnticipatingly Of coveted peace and
rest as he reached the isolated town
OF Clyde.
you do not look very well, Cousin"
were the first encouraging words of
Dorcas. "Our brother Ezra has just
received his medical diploma and he
will call to look you over"
"Why. am not sick" said Roylston.
eve never know In case like
yours" observed Dorcns in n dolorous
tone. "They say the after effects nre
sometimes very severe. But you VIII
have at hand faithful nurses"
Roylston made wry face, unob-
served by his ofiicious relatives, when
he sat down to his first meal He was
hungry us an. OK, but cream toast, thin
Cruel and single poached egg were
proffcred him.
Brother is very strict as to the
nlImentnry regime" droned Dorcas
prudence he sure that Cousin Royl-
ston's room Is ventilated Just right and
a warming pan pressed between the
sheets before he retlres" And then
came Brother Ezra. cadaverous
young man who gloomily kept his eye
on Roylston as though he was analyz-
ing him with view to protracted medi-
cal treatment.
II shall send over some medicine In
the morning" he announced sepul-
chrslly. "a few gargles and lotions, "
and he left a phial Of pellets which
Roylston promptly tossed out of the
window when lie reached his room.
In the morning there arrived n pack
age OF counter-irritants. lotions and
the like. and all that day the sisters
watched Roylston with an asslduity
and vehemence that nearly drove him
wild. To cap the climax, after dark
Dnrcas solemnly rendered little
package.
"a blister Brother Ezra sent" she
explained. "Drnstic he says, but
sure 10 prove beneficial. Prudence and
will sit up to night. Cousin Roylston.
and you must promptly call us II you
feel any had symptoms. The after eff
fects OF the fatal grip must be wnrded
OF. you know"
Grip" muttered Roylston. ms he
reached his room. "Of all the busy
bodies. The only grip I am interested
in Is this," and he opened his single
piece OF baggage and proceeded to
pack H. "I'll make my escape before
they poison me. II I have to jump
FROM the window"
That was just what Roylston had to
de- an hour later. Gazing thence he
observed the reflection OF light In n
lower room lie could not leave the
house that way. without apprizing his
iailers. lie dropped his grip from the
window. followed with the aid Of n
trellis and made tracks speedily.
Roylston turned from the house and
town. His idea was to seek the first
safe shelter that presented. At the
end of n five-mile tramp, wearied and
forlorn, turning bend In the road he
came upon horse and wagon at q
siandstlll. A shapely. golden-hnired
girl was mending the broken harness
musically upbraiding and then petting
the steeh who had attempted TO run
away.
Roylston came chlvalroualy forwart
and assisted her In getting things e
rights. casually explaining his quesi
for some settlement or roadside inn
THE nearest town is ten miles dis
l