The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1922-05-31
. " l-la J-gAu.


NNXu
Amazing to learn, upon author
fly as sound as that OF the clock In
the hotel lobby. that the age Of the
evening was still somewhat short
OF nine pseposterous to credit
that lapse OF time 50 little could
have wrought the transformation
Of life's kindly c~ountcnance at
close Of day TO It's present cast, 80
bleak. f%orbiddinR. and implacablc.
Lucinda slipped into h-- fitting
room. turned the key, found the
switchboN near the door. and In an
abrupt blaze OF illumination stood.
startled beyond speech, face TO
lace with Nelly Marquis.
one Of Nelly s hands was planted
flat against the wall. the other, a
beRrimed fist, vas fumblinE at her
mouth Those eyes whose haunted
beauty had first laid claim TO onc's
humanity were now black pools of
pathos in n face whose chaikncss
was runnelcd by tears.
Lucinda started hack TO the
door but the woman plunged down
to Rrovcl at her feet.
''Oh, Mrs. Druce. I'm all right
now, | am, | swear ! ami For
give me and for Gods sake don :
turn me out. don't call the police
Did I hurt him Dad2'
"Desperately. Lucinda replied
Whether he u live or not we don {
know yet"
You left him that way. .. my
Cod
Are you reproducing mc7
Lucinda retOrted In amazcment-
as " Il had been | who shot your
husband
My husband Nelly shrlllod.
It's yours I'm talking about, Il =
Mr.. bruce. It's not knowing now
bad I nurt him that's driving me
crazy I didn't hnrdly Know
who he was while we were fighting
/. She drove her knuckl.s
against her mouth.
20 ynn got what was coming tn
him. Lynn never treated any wo-
man 80 mean. and I guess Il WINS
right his punishment should come
from me. ! amt a hit sorry. !
hope he dies do you-do you
mink he VIM"
To the Implicit hope that gave
Wanted iinpsnitcnoe the lie. l.u-
cinda returned. In a low tone and
against her wish. the one word
Probably i"
Il don't care" Nelly walled. 1T
was Mr.. Druco ! came here to find
out about. Please tell me how bad
he's hurt?"
Not much-a flesh wound In the
arm"
Thank God II wasn't worse
ia never have forgiven myself.
Are you in love with him.
them" Lucinda demanded In
exorably. rs Bel In love with
you?'
with n h~ystericni note in the
laugh that scorned this notion,
No. no. Nelly cried. He isn't
that sort. l don't know what ihe
trouble was between you two. bat
II wasn't another woman. Mr..
bruce never as much as held my
hand
Lucinda stood pitlful. con-
tcmplating the creature who hud-
died In the chair. shiverlng, whlm-
perlng a little. gnawing her
~hN'ht W. WIN TUG NtAtu t1tN VI an
animal hunted to Its last gasp. A
murderess by intention. whom the
word Of any moment might prove n
murderess In face
1ncomprehensible the alchemy OF
the human heart, Lucinda was
making up her mind 10 help a
sinner clrcumvent the justice OF the
social order 49,.
The telephone sounded a per-
emptory call. Lucinda. answering.
heard the voice Of her chauffeur.
When Lucirda hung up she
found Nelly slowed round In the
chair. Tint was inspiration. I've
arranged to iet you steal my car.
You can leave II wherever you
think II safe to get aboard a train.
You can drive, OF course" Neily
nodded.
Are you strong enough TO drive
the "A ~yourHelf2" Lucinda mis-
doubted for perhaps the hundredth
time though for the first openly.
The woman on the bed gave her
hand a small Jerk OF petulance.
Don't worry she Insisted. I'm
he all right. can drive any makc
Of al there is
Where will you go?'
North. by the Coastal Highway.
! might go right through 10 Friaco.
What time h II now? suppose
you wouldn't want 10 call uA
Lynns house and ask
ia rather not
u guess lis all over with Itnn
now. a. far as you're concerned.
isn't IT,
Yes, Lucinda said with the
slowncss that spells rontraint-.e
nr as I'm concerned. rs an
over
I'm awfully sorry" the girl as
serted. her voice In turn carrying
the culor OF complaconcy-"I mean
sorry for you. You must've beer
awfully stuck on Lynn"
Yes . To offset a choke
In her voice Lucinda added with 4
hard laugh: "Awfully."
The house telephone came I,
Lucinda's rescue: MIR. bruce wa
calling.
Lucinda pi omised Nelly to 70
rid OF Bel a. soon as she could. AM