The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-12-12
CHAPTER vIIContinued
81 1--.-


AS it fell, the other leaped at her as
IL strung upon wires. Joan saw, very
dimly, the face Of Mrs. Dana. She
was In her nightdress, with her feet
bare, and the ferocity Of her attack
seemed atrocious in contrast with the
expressionless. masklike features.
Only the eyes seemed alive, and they,
burned with implacable hatred, as IL
they meditated revenge for all the ac-
cumulation Of life's wrongs.
The woman bore Joan backward.
The lamp fell crashing TO the floor 1fn
debacle Of splintered glass. A chair
was overturned. Mrs. Dana's hands
sought .Joan's throat, and they strug-
gIed In the darkness, crashing here
and there, upsetting the water pitcher.
smashing into the> swinging door.
Underneath her Joan head Mrs. Fra
ser MOVING and doors opening. There
were sten IN the stairs.
For a moma1tS Joan felt no
masch /; onsH Of the madwoman.
but Mrs Ia impulse was soon ex-
hanste6 Joan got her arms about her
bads pressing down the others arms
~ er sides. Mrs. Dana suddenly be-
le passive. and the lights in the
es seemed to 60 out like extin-
hished candles as the brain clouded.
pan got the woman into the corridor.
the farther end little lamp was
rning.
Mrs. Dana went with her quietly,
baking like mechanical figure. At
be head Of the stairs appeared the
latron, wearing a white wrapper.
ehind ii Joan saw the startled
kces of and Lancaster.
r. s y Mrs. Dana into her
ND rs. Fraser came at her
breathing hard in terror
she hurt your" she gasped.
did she get out? Who let her
I should have told)yo she was
Rgerous, but never dreamed that
could pick that lock. Did She
Ne try to harm your
had piece of glass;" said
put J. took it away from her"
was no glass in her room
ling" said the matron with
ter was approaching. Joen
lnded to see the look of anger
ce. "Who opened that door?.'
E ed.
1T NJ right now. Doct0n1Ee ancas-
ter.' came the. matrorfs ee from
within.
But Lancaster was shaking with ex-
citement. He swung round upon
Myers.
ssYou are responsible for thisw he
cried. You know my one point that
has to be carried out. l told you to
have bolt put on the door after she
got out before"
Now, now, doctor. don't excite
yourself" said the secretary sooth-
ingly. You're sick man, you know.
1t was unfortunate, but I'll see it
doesn't happen again"
Lancaster seemed beside himself
with fury, far more angry. indeed.
than the situation appeared to war
rant.
t.She might have killed Miss Went
WORTH" he stormed. 'I've stood
enough from you without this. I've
suffered you, God knows, until you've
sapped my strength and crushed me
under your feet, and made me less Of
man than the meanest drunkard in
Bfillyille. but now it's ended. Get out
Of my sight! Leave the institute to-
morrow r
Say shouted Myers. ''am respon-
sible If that woman got out Of her
room? What's the sense of picking
on me? Didn't you hire nurse to
take care of your patients. Amt Mrs.
Dana a patient? Now there's been
enough said, reckon. You know
what / mean. doctor. Better go back
to your room and forget what you've
said tonight"
IF ever see your face after to-
night. by Cd I'll kill you'll" shouted
Lancaster.
Myers skunk away toward the stairs.
20, all right, all right" he answered.
Il reckon you'll be sorry tomorrow.
But I'll hold you to what you've said.
ain't going to see that nurse bust
upeeay work here"
He scowled fearfully at Joan as he
went down the stairs. grotesque,
ALMOST deformed figure in his loose
pajamas. But Joan hardly needed the
man. She did not know the cause of
L.ancaster's sudden outbreak of rage.
~ she knew that it was part Of the
ole dreadful problem, and that. in
ifing Lancaster's driving devil, she
Is at work upon the darkest corner
the dark mystery.
II think, Doctor Lancaster, you had
&etter go and lie down again." she
i'd mo harm has been done. but /
very sorry you were awakened"
e was leaning against the wall,
Ing at her with a strange express
upon his face. He breathed
". like a man in uncomfortable
lon. Just then the matron came