Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-06-08
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WLOuIS JOSEPH VANcE1 ~
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that swaying combat; while Bel chung
to the woman's arm, muttering and
painting in futile efforts to wrest her
weapon away: while Nelly clawed, bit,
kicked. pounded her free fist repeatedly
into Bells face and wrenched madly at
her captive wrist
OF sudden. from her hand a spiteful
tongue Of ire licked out at Bel his right
arm failed back and fell useless, agony
conyulsed his features. Free, the woman
bounded away and with a laugh of ma
Mac glee swung the pistol to bear upon
his head
Without knowing what she did, Lu-
cinda flung herself upon Nelly's arm and
bore 1t down. With DETECTED muzzle the
pistol exploded for the last time Drop
ping it, Nelly turned on Lucinda and
death with her as might a madwoman.
Impressions grew confused beyond as
sortment, or Hopping wildly this way and
that, OF hot breath beating into her face,
OF her bare flesh suffering a rain Of cruel
blows.
Thrown of without warning, how she
couldn't guess she felt herself Keeling
back. tripping. falling. Something struck
the back OF her head a stunning blow,
and she knew iiickering nausea while
dense night like moving cloud on every
hand closed in upon her.
Choking and coughing, she Enclosed her
eyes upon the vision Of Bells face A hand
holding a bottle OF smelling salts dropped
away from her Use. Bel saluted her re-
viving intelligence with an even growl /:
You'll do now, l guess. Try to pull
yourself together. No time to lose"
My head aches :" She saw Bel In
his shirt sleeves, with the cufr turned
back above his right elbow, the forearm
rudely bandaged with torn linen on
which deep stain was spreading. But
Bei--your arm"
Hurts like hell. Bullet ploughed
through the underside from wrist to
elbow, nearly. I'd be dead II you hadn't
jumped for her
And l. If you hadn't como through the
window when you did But $50 Lynn Z"
lei laughed shortly. THE excellent
Mr.. Summeriads still breathing. That's
all We can tel till the surgeon gets
here"
what became of-her?"
Got away clean, worse luck tucked
past me and through the window like a
shot"
Sunmeriad lay where he had fallen,
on the far side Of that piece OF furni-
ture. His face, upturned 10 the staring
light, was like q thing Of sculptured
ivory, exrressionless and blanched. The
shirt beneath the Powered dressing
gown was hideously blotted.
You thin& . Bell do you
really think he viii liye?"
NO fear, Bel sneered. He'll make q
fool 81 many another woman before he's
finished. Ny chauffeur viii run you
down to the hotel. ! think he's to 10
trusted. Wish | felt sure OF that Jap"
Sure of himi"
why do you suppose I'm hurrying
you away? Do you want the papers 10
get hold Of the fact that you We're keep
Ing an slgnation with this actor when
his wife caught you aud shot hint"
Lucinda let her wrap fail. III my re-
lationship TO Lynn Is what you imply
then my place is he.s with HIM
Please yourself But remember. the
papers are going to make big capital out
Of this scandal in the movie colony
They're been itching for 4 for years.
knowing Il was bound to break out some
day How long do you imagine
I'LL be before the reporters viii ferret
out the fnct that Linda Lee IS Mrs.
Bethany bruce. DO you want to sit In
tho witness box and testify against that
deuented creature when she's tried for
murder?'
What you think ."
what the devil do you care what |
chink3 II you aren't what people arc
going to say you are, what are you
doing here. alone with Summerlad. In his
own home AT ntght?'
The Lontalnes were coming to din
ner, hut
"'But'!" Bel snorted. "Oh. nil right
I'll give you the benefit OF tina doubt, K
that'u induce you to clear out Of this
before It's too late. And 1t isn't as II
you could do Summerad any good by
staying His fate's all up to the sur
geous Ill keep you posted. I'll come
and tell you what the surgeon says.
He bent with painful effort and lifted
her WRAP. she took Il without a word
swung It round her shoulders, turned
and left the room.
CONTINUED In Our Next Issuc)