The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-11-21
VictOl. Rousseau
copyrish, by W. c. Chapman


way"
II tell you she means to help the
doctor in his crazy plan of notoriety.
She means to undo all our work Tn
his own interests" cried Myers vehe-
mently.
Joan walked away. She had over
heard unwilingly, and enough to con-
vince her Tat there was a mystery.
with Myers at the bottom of it, and
she had rightly sensed an enemy in
him. and. he in her. Now her mind
was resolute to remain and fight for
Lancaster. It was as If her decision,
suddenly crystallized. had suddenly
grown crystal-clear.
But she had not passed the en-
trance when the matron's door swung
open violently and Myers came out.
He stood confronting Joan with his
insulting leer.
Miss Wentworth" he began, when
you and had our talk this morning
you hadn't seen the doctor. You
didn't know how things were situated.
and don't blame you. Now you've
seen that the doctor needs guardian.
Well, I'm his guardian
II do not think that Doctor Lancas-
ter needs guardian. Mr.. Myers" an
swered Joan. facing him steadily.
"See here, now, Miss Wentworth"
said Myers. swallowing hard. you
don't get the drift of things. just as
thought. You think I'm trying to
stand in the way of your work. when
I'm only trying to reach sort of
working agreement to keep things In
running order. That's my aim. Am
| right?"
~ don't know whether you are
right. l think you are extremely un-
civil. Take off your haiti" flashed
Joan.
Myers removed the hard hat from
his head and stared at her in aston
ishment. He could not understand
her sudden initiation of hostilities.
swell, l reckon that's my nature.
and I'm sorry" he said. He was try
ing to be conciliatOry now. ''Im sorry
If get on your nerves. Miss Went
WORTH" he persisted. but wasn't
brought up to be ladies' man. How
ever, know my job, and reckon you
know yours. If you think I'm trying
to stand between the doctor and you.
come and see him right now"
81 have no complaint to make, and
have made none," said Joan.
Come and see him." persisted N.Y.
ers. you're the nurse. and | guess
it's up to you"
She looked at him, dismayed by his
expression. rs Doctor Lancaster
worse?" she asked.
"Well, nothing that / didn't expect.
but he might be better" said Myers,
sneering.
He walked toward the door of Lam
casters room and opened it. Through
the aperture Joan saw Lancaster
stretched out in a large chair. his
head bent forward on his breast. his
limbs immobile. She hurried into the
room.
But Myers preceded her to Lancas-
ter's side. He raised the limp arm
and turned up the sleeve. Joan saw
that the skin was densely SCARED with
tiny punctures. Lancaster was breath
ing heavily, and beside him. upon
little table, was syringe. and near
that little bottle containing a few
drops of pale fluid. Joan drew in
her breath quickly. It was what she
had feared.
Morphine" said Myers. "He al
ways does this when he comes home.
Now you understand what was try
ing to get at this morning. Miss Went
worth. I'm responsible for him. It's
my job to keep him straight If can.
When can't, l try. Now you see,
perhaps. why he's lost his will power,
and why have, to keep after him like
a dog following his master. And
guess you won't think I'm trying to
set him against you"
The bully in the man was coming
to the surface again. He thrust out
his head toward Joan.
Because. If you do, may as well
say. Miss Wentworth. I'm the boss
here. Understand that?" he continued,
with a clustering air. "The doctor
hires all sorts of people when he's like
this and 1t doesn't mean nothing, He
can't pay out no salaries unless my
o. KS on the vouchers. We want
nurse. 9nd If you like to stay on you
can. But If you stay you help me so
far as the doctors concerned. and you
do what tell you. That's straight.
Is 1t clear or isn't it?''
Joan looked at him indifferently.
Help me put Doctor Lancaster on the
bed" she said, land then run and
get me hot-water bottle"
He scowled furiously. but he oheyed
her. And all the while Joan sat at
Lancaster's side watching him. her
mind ran over the questions that were
puzzling her.
Why had Myers spoken of Lancaster
as coming home. when he lived in
Avonmouth?
Who had hired him to be the doc
tors keeper?