Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-11-06
DR. Thornton,s Advice


you illi Don't lose your nerve. Here
give me the receiver. He did not
understand you.
doctor, this is Phil Spencer.
They told us that Sheila was here
late this evening and that you went
out with her and came back alone.
We are very much concerned about
her, doctor, because earlier in the
evening, she was delirious.
owe were just about to send for
you when we found that she had
gone. We are so glad that she came
straight to you.
"Whatl !" Phil, too, dropped
the receiver and swayed SO that
thought he was going to fall.
Tony picked up and listened in
tently.
"Doctor Thornton says that he
will be right down."
"Tell him we can't wait" al
most shouted Phil. "We must find
her Immediately" Phil started to-
ward the door.
"Wait a minute, Phil" L said and
Tony grabbed his arm.
"What do you meant am GO
ing to find her." insisted Phil, be-
side himself.
"But DR.. Thornton may give us
some valuable information, Phil. tt
is impossible for you to start out
without any plan thinking that you
can find Sheila. Where would you
got We must get from DR.. Thorn
ton his opinion of what a woman
would do if she were delirious with
fever. You know people often wan
der away under such circumstances.
/ was rambling incoherently, try
ing to talk against time for l want
ed to keep Phil. I wanted him to
see DR.. Thornton and | also want
ed DR.. Thornton to see him. have
never seen anyone look as wild as
my brother did at that moment.
His eyes blazed with maniacal
fury. His mouth was twitching and
his face was like parchment in its
bloodless intensity. His hands kept |
pushing me away each time a little
'ougher than the last.
Tony Soper observing this came
was afraid the men would
come together. The nerves of both
we're at the cracking point.
Fortunately at this moment DR..
Thornton, surprised and perturbed,
made his appearance.
He ignored the two men and
anne directly to me taking both my
lands in his. "What is it Rather
ne9 What is this you are telling
ne about SheilaT
At the sound of his voice l burst
nto tears.
Without remark he led me into the
title anteroom at the side Of the
ospital lobby. Seating me on
ofa he sat down beside me still
olding my hand. Now tell me all
bout it."
As well as l could, for my breath
anne in great heart-breaking sobs,
recounted the whole story. l dis
1vered that DIR. Thornton had not
'ad the afternoon papers and so !,
new nothing about Walter Jones
eing taken to another hospital.
AS soon as he learned this, he
'ked me If thought Sheila had !
'en the papers and told him that :
e had come to the conclusion that
is was what had affected her mind !
II when Tony arrived at her room !;
found the papers on the floor
Id, she, out of her mind, was trying !,
tell Phil and me that she was )
noeent.
Perhaps" said DR.. Thornton, "
he has tried to go to the hospital :,
find your Jones. Where did you
y your chauffer took himf" :.
"To the Good Samaritan. ~
1T win do no good to call up
Q hospital at this hour of the =
ght. No one on duty would know =,
ything we wish to know and if ~
did he would not tell you.
Mt leave my patient but l will m
lite you note to the matron = =
lich win give you some kind of i,
tion Immediately" y
started up and DR., Thornton y
lowed -
Phil and Tony were at opposite n
Is of the lobby. Tony, looking
entity ont of the window into the
rkness of an alleyway. Phil strid- N,
! up and down in trent of the III
ice desk. ID
What do you think we had bet- %
dor no asked. ii,
Doctor Thornton says, Phil, that 10
had better drive Immediately
the Good Samaritan hospital" ha
Let's 60 then" and he started o
the door, la