The Washington herald., 1920-03-17
:: Helene's Manied Life ::
BY MAY CHRISTIE
Copyright $780, Mcclure syndieate2
XLV.-Tony Introduces His Fiancee.
By MAY CHRISTIE
Copyright, 1890. Mcclure syndieate.Y

'TonyY MY voice held 4 world
of anger-yes-and fear!
BY what right did Tony Lascelles
dare TO act in this outrageous way?
Had the man taken entire leave Oh
his sane senses? Was he crazy!
with a violent jerk. / drew down
the window-shade. Trembling un-
controliably, I backed away from
the sudden apparition that had so
alarmed me.
sHelene!" The voice came louder.
-Open the window, Helene, and let
me in
This plea was followed by a gen.
tie. eerie tapping on the glass!
should I call for help. or what?
Tony fully deserved exposure. He
would get IL, tool wanted him TO
get IT! Oh. how I hated him, now
that I knew his meanness and mis-
Z deceit!
backed away from the window.
and sat down in the chair I'd JUS
vacated. No, I wouldn't call Tor
help. A call would wake Jim up,
might affect the action of his heart
And then I noticed that a faint
breeze was stirring the window
blind. a gentle little breath of air
hadn't noticed heretofore.
The breeze grew stronger, till. II
swayed some flowers beside Jim s
bed.
The blind was stirring. stirring.
And then the truth dawned on me!
The window was opening SLOWLY
stealthily.
got up to my feet, my heart
thudding like a sledge hammer. The
man outside the window surely
wouldn't dare.
He did, For suddenly there was
a grating noise. a bump. the blind
was pushed aside. and Tony Las
celIes-a cruel-looking Tony-stood
before me, staring at me with
queer. sarcastic smile upon his face.
"So-you're the nurse! Romantic
stuff. eh, Helene, my dear!
could have killed him on the
spot.
But oh, I had to think of Jim!
He might wake up at any moment.
and the shock of seeing Tony would
be actually dangerous to his chances
of recovery!
Maybe Tony guessed that fact
deliberately plotted this?
But I'd frustrate his miserable
schemes!
laid a hand on Tony's arm-a
firm, decided hand-although i
ioathed to touch the fellow.
This way, AT once" I whis-
pered, furious.
I dragged him round the screen.
close to the door. so that Jim. wax
ing. couldn't see him. He was out
Of Jim's line of vision. now.
How dare you do such an out
rageous thing. you cad" I Kissed at
the intruder. Breaking into a sick
mans room. like a sneak thief-or
a murderer! Which role Is II, this
time? Tell me-
Tony gave a supercilious. slightly
bored smile.
"Neither. fair lady! My role. as
you are pleased to cau ii, Is very
dIffe-ent.'
He spoke In a faint whisper. Evf-
IDENTIFY. he had the humanity not to
wish to wake Jim up.
you knew this was the patients
room?"
He shook his head.
Not to begin with. I was-pros-
pecting-shall we say?'
The police will possibly have an
other name for it," / answered
grimly. 1 stepped out to the hall.
drawing Tony with me. No one was
in sight. I'm going to phone for
the police"
You idiotic little goose" Tony
had the impertinence to squeeze my
hand. Helene. you do look stun
ming, when you're angry"
Had the man gone craZy?. / re-
hected. utterly astounded. What on
earth had made him take such
risks? What was the motive that
lay behind his weird, erratic ac-
tions? Were there possessions in
the patients room that he desired
to steal? discriminating papers. or
the like?
As though he'd read my thoughts,
Tony remarked:
you're all wrong. Helene, my
lear. Listen. and I'll tell you the
whole TRUTH"
The truth? What did Tony-and