The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-06-02
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1IUHS JOSEPH NANc8s1 sSN
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XXI
Amazing to learn, upon author
ity as sound sas that OF the clock
in the hotel lobby, that the age Of
the evening was still somewhat
short OF nine I. Preposterous to
credit that lapse OF time so little
could have wrought the transfer
nation OF LIES kindly countenance
at cIoseaof day TO its present cast,
so bleak. forbiddfng, and implac-
able.
Lucinda slipped into her sitting
room, turned the key, found the
abrupt blaze OF illumination stood,
satartled beyond speech. face to
face with Nelly MARQUIS.
One of EeIly's hands was plant
ed HAT against the wall; the other,
a. begrimed fist, was fumbling at
her mouth. Those eyes whose
haunted beauty had first laid claim
to- ones humanity were now black
pools Of pathos in face whose
chaIkiness was ruuneled by tears.
Lucinda started back to the door
but the woman plunged down to
groYe1 at her feet.
IL,
now, I am; j swear am! Forgive
me; and for Gods sake don't turn
me9out, don't call the police! Did
III hurt him bad?'
Desperately" Lucinda replied.
whether he'll live or not we don't
know yet.
You left him that way! o, my
God
Are @yon reproaching me?" Lu-
8ctnda retorted in amazement-"a
band ~
ssMy husband" Nelly shrilled.
tsIt's yours I'm talking about, it's
Mrs Druce: didn't hardly know
VINO he was while VIE were fighting
Il: " she drove her knuck1es
against her mouth.
Lynn got what was coming to
him Lynn never treated any wo-
f1ian SO mean; and 1 guess 1t was
right his punishment should come
from me- i amt a bit sorry, hope
he dies. DO you-do you think
The will ~
10 the. implicit hope that gave
Wanted inlpentinence the lie, Lu-
scinda returned in a low tone and
against her wish, the one word.
Il
sSsSsy Il don't care" Nelly walled: at
was Mr.. bruce came here to find
out about. Please tell me how bad
hes hurt
lot 711uch-a flesh wound in the
arm,
s:i7s.lThank God it wasn't worse I'd
never have forgiven myself. never
Are you in love with him.
then 2" Lucinda demanded inexor-
ably. IS Bel In love with you?"
With a Ehysterica1 note in the
s1augh that scorned this notion, No
sort. don't know what the trouble
was between you two, but it wasn't
another woman. Mr.. bruce never
8as much as held my hand"
Lucinda stood pitiful, contem-
plating the creature who huddled
in the chair, shiverins, whimper-
ling d little, gnawing her knuckles,
with the dazed eyes of an animal
hunted to its last gasp. A murder
esES by intention, whom the word
j Of any moment might prove muir
deress in fact
Incomprehensible the alchemy of
the human hearti Lucinda was
making up her mind to help sim
Jd9tiSSraOh
social order.
The telephone sounded per-
%emptory call. Lucinda, answering.
heard the voice of her chauffeur.
When Lucinda hung UP she found
Nelly slowed round in the chair.
THAT was inspiration. I've ar
ranged to let you steal my car. You
can leave it wherever you think it
safe to get aboard a train. You
can drive, of course?" Nelly nod
ded.
Are you strong enough to drive
u the car yourself?" Lucinda mis-
doubted for perhaps the hundredth
time though for the first openly.
The woman on the bed gave her
hand small jerk OF petulance.
8ssDon't worry" she insisted. "1'll
he all right can drive any make
OF car there is
tteWhere will you go?"
49, - g North, by the Coastal Highway.
might go right through to Frisco.
What time is it now? I suppose
$you wouldn't want to call up
Lynn's house and ask. -
I'D rather not"
4 guess its all over with Lynn
now, as far as you're concerned,
isn't it?''
sass.sYes,' Lucinda said with the
y slowness that spells restraint-"as