Evening journal., 1922-06-02
con b Lo~s tossh xua
Continued From Our Last Issue. }
XXxII


Amazing TO learn, upon authors
as sound as that of the clock in III
hotel lobby. that the age of II
evening was still somewhat short {
preposterous to cred
that lapse OF time so little coul
have wrought the transformation q,
nfe's kindly countepance at close {
day to its present cast, so bleak. fol
bidding and implacable
Lucinda slipped into her sittin
room, turned the key, found tn
switchbox near the door, and in a
abrupt blaze OF illumination stood
startled beyond speech, face to fac
with Nelly Marquis.
One OF Nelly's hands was plantel
fat against the wall; the other,
begrimed fist, was fumpling at he
mouth. Those eyes whose haunted
beauty had first laid claim TO one'i
humanity were now black pools o.
pathos in face whose chslkiness
were ruDneled by tears.
Lucinda started back to the door
but the woman plunged down tc
grovel at her feet.
"Oh, Ms. Drucel I'm all right
now, l am. l swear I ami Forgive
me, and for Gods sake don't turn
me out, don't call the policel Did
hurt him bad?"
Desperately" Lucinda replied.
whether he'll live or not we don't
know yet"
You left him that wayl o, my
Godl"
Are you reproaching me7" Lu-
cinda retorted in amazement-"as II
it had been I who shot your hus-
bandi"
my husbandl" Nelly shrilled.
TITS yours I'm talking about. It's
Mr.. Druce. It's not knowing how
bad l hurt him that's driving me
crazy I didn't hardly
know who he was while we were
fighting =" She drove her
knuckles against her mouth.
lynn got what was coming TO
him Lynn never treated any
woman so mean. and I guess It was
right his punishment should come
from me. amt a bit sorry, hope
he dies Do you-do you
think he will2"
To the implicit hope that gave
vaunted impenitence the lie, Lu-
cinda returned. in a low tone and /
against her wish, the one word,
Probably :"
It don't care" Nelly walled. "It
was Mr.. Druce I came here to find !
out about Please tell me how bad
he's hurt?"
mot much--a flesh wound in the
arm
THANK God It wasn't worse. I'd
never have forgiven myself. never
Are you in love with him, Them"
Lucinda demanded inexorably. "Is
Bel in love with your"
with a hysterical note in the
laugh that scorned this notion. mo.
no." Nelly cried. HE isn't that sort.
I don't know what the trouble was
between you two. but It wasn't an
other woman. Mr.. Druce never as
much as held my hand"
Lucinda stood pitiful, contemplat
ing the creature who huddled in the
chair. shivering. whimpering little,
gnawing her knuckles. with the /
iazed eyes OF an animal hunted to |
is last gasp. A murderess by inten-
ion, whom the word OF any moment
night prove a murderess in fact
Incomprehensible the alchemy OF
he human heart! Lucinda was
naking up her mind to help a sinner
ircumvent the justice Of the social
rder
The telephone sounded a peremp-
,ry call. Lucinda, answering, heard
lie voice of her chauffeur.
When Lucinda hung up she found
ely slowed round in the chair.
That was inspiration. I've ar
.nged 10 let you steal my car. You
n leave 1t wherever you think It
fe to get aboard a train. You can
i've. of course ?" Nelly nodded.
Are you strong enough to drive :
e car yourself?" Lucinda mis-
ubted for perhaps the hundredth q
ne though for the first openly. q
The woman on the bed gave her
nd a small jerk Of petulance.
Don't worry" she insisted. "I'n be
right. I can drive any make OF
r there is"
"Where will you go?"
North, by the Coastal Highway. I
light go right through to Frisco.
hat time is It now? I suppose
~ wouldn't want to call up Lynn's
ouse and ask ="
I'D rather not"
Il guess it's all over with Lynn
ow. as far as you're concerned.
sn't it,"
Yes" Lucinda said with the slow
less that spells restraint-"as far
Is I'm concerned, it's all over"
I'm awfully sorry" the girl as
serted her voice in turn carrying
the color Of complacency-'I NEAR.
sorry for you. You must've been
awfully stuck on Lynn"
yes +" To offset a cholse IN
her voice Lucinda added with a hard
laugh: "Awfully."
The house telephone came TO Lu-
,inda's rescue: Mr.. Druce was call
ng.
Lucinda promised Nelly to get rid
# Bel as soon as shs could, and in
eturn exacted the girls promise to
est. Then Lucinda shut herself out
ito the sittingroom.
Bells light motor-coat hung from
Is shoulders. with empty sleeves.
Ius disgusting that his right arm
as in sling. His features were
.,u-n ard gray hut bfe evae keap /
eady and (Lucinda made sure.
oking sharply wholly unsentimen-
!.
"You look fearfully tired, Bel.
ont you sit DOWN."