The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-11-12

landlady's attentions Joan went has
tily toward Lancaster's house.
She had passed 1t almost daily OF
! her journeys to and from the hospital
1t was an ordinary brick house In {
new block at the north end Of tn,
park, and commonplace enough, bu
now, to her excited eyes, It seemed Il
reflect the grim personality of Its
owner in the staring windows. with
the shining door knobs of brass, and
the brass name plate. Her heart was
beating with panic. and it WAS with
difficulty that she contrived to press
the bell and to remain until the door
was opened.
A white attendant confronted her
a sullen, understood man with square
shoulders, who scowled at her as he
stood blocking the passage.
Doctor LancasterT asked Joan.
"He doesn't see patients after FIVE"
answered the man.
Il must see him. 1t is important"
faltered the girl.
well. I'll find out If he can see
you" the fellow grumbled. "Walk in
if you want to-"
He had not recognized Joan's uni
form beneath the cloak. She gave him
her card and went into the waiting
room. There the sense of the terror
which made that place its domain. the
accumulated fears of all who had ever
waited there for the approaching YER
dict seemed to leap out at her.
Then Joan heard Lancaster's voice
in the next room, which was divided
from he waiting room by folded
doors. 1t was audible as bass
rumble. emerging occasionally into a
distihguishable sound. Lancaster was
talking with somebody, and he was
growing angry. That was an i'll omen
Of what was to comet
Joan braced her nerves. She was
anything but a coward, and, having
made up her mind, she intended to
carry her scheme through.
Suddenly Lancasters voice was
raised in violent alteration.
"a nice mess you've made of every
thingi" he cried. I've tolerated you
too long. I've 3een a fool, but I've
finished with you low Go back where
you came FRONT"
Another voice spoke in indistinct
tones. 1t was that of a man. and 1t
was almost abject In contrast with
Lancaster's violence.
'Ive finished with you, tel you'll"
cried Lancaster. 1--WE borne this bur-
den long enough. You can get out of
my house You can get out of my
life"
"Tve borne 1t long enough too" re-
piled the other, doggedly who
started it? Who made the first pro-
posal?"
81 did. out of kindness 70 you. And
how have you repaid me?"
by placing myself, so1l and body, |
at your service" retorted the second |
man, aroused into some show of spirit. /
"Who picked you out Of the gutter
and set you on your feet?" rejoined
the doctor Answer that You can'tl
You know you can't Where would
you be today if it were not for me?"
The second man said something in a
ow voice.
Myers? A lot care about thatw
-,torted Lancaster. 81 tell you
what's that?" The white attendant
was speaking at the door. Joan rec
1gnized his rasping voice.
mol No." cried Lancaster, VIC
emily. Il see nobody. Why can't
hese women come during my hours7
Aren't they posted plainly enough
lpon the card in my window? Tell
ler?-what? Important? Well. let
Ter wait. then. until l get ready to
zee her."
The mans steps died away alons
he rear end of the passage. Joan
eard the two men talking again.
he floor in the adjoining room creak
eneath a quick tread. Lancaster was
oming in Her fears gave her reso-
1tion. She would anticipate that
Movement. see him. insist She left
he waiting room and went into the
all.
II was hung with little pictures Of
uniform size. each exactly like its
eighbor. Ii came into the girls
lind. even during those few hasty
teps, that this was essentially q
lans house: a woman would have ar
,nged things differently, have given
lie place personality. have made her ,
resence felt somehow. even in the
acoration of this dark passage The ,
was that of an institution
ut of home.
Then she was standing with caught
-eath at the door of the consulting ,
'om. which was little aiar as If the
itch had become unfastened. She :
rocked. opened it. and went in. @