The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-12-25
The Truant Soul

/
inconcelvable In the ordinary morphin
habitue. And he must have taken
during rhe brief period when hyer
was with him; he must have taken
as soon as he got back to his room
Why had Myers permitted i'll
At last Lancaster opened his eyes
His gaze fell upon Joan's face. at FRS
without recognition. then with wonder
Water" ss gasped. after few In
efrectuai attempts TO speak.
Joan drew a glassful and gave II
TO him. and then another. Lancaster
guiped down the liquid greedlly. Pres
emily he sat up. stood on his feet. and
CROPPED his way 10 the chair.
I'm sorry" he said, looking at Joan
with whimsical expression. II
should have told you"
Doctor Lancaster. am ashamed
OF YOU" said Joan.
God knows Tn ashamed OF N.Y.
SELF" he burst out fretfully. Miss
Wentworth. In the third drawer q
that desk, beneath pile OF letters
you'il find a bottle"
NO" said Joan decisively.
She knew by the wholly unneces-
sary secrecy In the concealment.
characteristic OF the drug habltue. that
Lancaster had gone a long way down
the declivfty.
Miss Wentworth. you mlsunder
stand me. It's an antidote for aka
loidal poisoning | was experimenting
with a new drug"
Joan found herself sobbing, and she
was astounded. II was the wreck of
the mans moral nature that was I'M
bearable. She saw the latent fineness
In him, and II was as II the needless
lie was the voice OF the morphlns
devil that spoke through his lips.
Lancaster looked distressed. "Miss
Wentworth. you had better leave ne
and go back TO Avoamouth on the eve
ming train" he said. Il ought never
TO have brought you here. II was pure
selfishness on my part. Miss Went
worth. please don't cry. Go away nov,
and Wen talk II over before you start
for the station"
III ] go away" wept Joan. 'you1l
take another hypoderp4ic."
Il pledge you my word OF honor no.
said Lancaster. with almost ingenious
candor. IL am really not accustomed
TO such thing; that is why IL
knocked me out. have been suffer-
Ing from insomnia. and | tried new
morphine. you know. but
4 deriyatlve--for the benefit OF my
patients"
The words came from his lips so |
,libly that Joan was almost con-
have been. had not the
irst lie been different. She hesltated.
She had no intention OF leaving the
Dom. but she turned away.
Lancaster misunderstood her action.
With incredible swiftness his hand
hot out toward the little bottle. He
lad uncorked II and plunged In the
yringe before the girl could snatch
I away.
"Your word OF honor !" said Joan.
He leaned back in his chair and
ooked al her with amusement.
''Miss Wentworth" he said, you are
nurse. Surely you are aware that
am not 10 be trusted. that my word
honor is worthless7 That am
ssenfially devoid OF honesty and de-
ency7 Don't you know that this ac-
ursed thing"-he pointed toward the
men OF their honor and
slf-respect, and lowers them beneath
he beastsT"
He spoke as n nj clinic. and quite
npersonally; there was the shadow
I whimsical smile about his lips
hIch twitched. nevertheless. with
ain.
THAT does not refer 10 you" an
yered Joan. You asked me 10 help
ou In the biggest fight OF your life.
'ell. I am going TO help you In that
yhf"
1T Is too late" said Lancaster.
Never" replied Joan valisntly.
you don't understand. Miss Went Z
orth. That's the mistake all people .
axe In trying 10 cure us. Don't you Q
low that man or woman never be- .
mes a victim 10 drug except from o
sepiessness. or physical pain. or I'M .
r stress OF mental anguish If you
uld cure me the old trouble would q
m be there. I should fall victim o
ain. Life n worthless to me. Miss .
he ended. quite simply. D