The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-11-07
CHAPTER IV-Continued

The girl, after moments hesita-
ton. preceded Mrs. Fraser into the
building. She saw long corridor,
with a number of doors on either side.
and the stairs in front Of her.
"You would like to see the build
ing, Miss Wentworth" asked the ma
tron. "Or perhaps you are tired and
would prefer to go to your ROOM"
''No, should like to see 1t. Have
you many patients?"
"Only Mrs. Dana. She's always
here, you know: There was a boy
with a broken arm, but he left this
morning. In winter. though, we're
often crowded It isn't much Of a
place, Miss Wentworth. but we do
little good. This is the doctors apart
ment. He sleeps here; next door Is
the clinic. and next to that the operat-
Bnggroom. Here we keep the supplies.
his is my room. Mr. Myers. the Sec
tary. has his room opposite the doc
r's. This Is the dining room. and
re is the kitchen. Now I'll show you
r room upstairs. Miss Wentworth"
he corridor above was replica Of
one below. At the head Of the
Hrs a little passage branched Off
6ward large window in the wall.
nth door to one side of it.
Mrs Dana occupies this room."
Said the matron. Perhaps the doc
tor mentioned herr"
doctor Lancaster said something"
"She is out of her mind, poor wom-
an, but she is perfectly quiet. You
see, Miss Wentworth. she is like an
infant mentally. She will not trouble
you. Excuse me moment"
She drew a key from the bunch that
hung at her waist and unlocked the
door very softly. and with a certain
furtiveness, Joan thought. Looking
in, the girl saw strikingly handsome
woman of about seven and thirty
years, seated in chair beside win
dow, with shawl over her knees. She
was in dressing gown. and her hair
hung over her shoulders in two braids.
She did not look up or stir as the
matron entered. and Mrs Fraser. after
closing the door behind her, presently
came out and locked it again.
''I'll show you your room now. Miss
Wentworth" she said. you will be
alone on this floor except for Mrs.
Dana. but you are not afraid Of herr"
''Not in the least. Is she incurable?"
Yes, quite, poor thing. She has
sat in that chair all day for nearly
three years."
And never goes out?"
"Out? No, we don't let her out. 1t
might excite her. But |. am not sup
posed to speak about the cases. It's
very sad, though She comes of a
very good family, and they neglected
her when she was in trouble. Miss
Wentworth, and she's as good as dead
to everyone now. She never speaks.
but | don't know whether she could.
I've never heard her since came
here three years ago. This is the
ward. And this is your ROOM"
The open doors along the corridor
had revealed clean little rooms with
IFUu DcuStcduS anu pam luTuituTe,
the room at the end of the passage.
however. was well furnished. with a
heavy new carpet and old mahogany
furniture. Outside the window.
through the twilight. appeared the
distant mountains
Joan, turning, was surprised to see
Mrs. Fraser watching her intently. As
their eyes met the matron lowered
her own in some confusion. There
was furtiYeness about. her glance
that moinentarily revived Joan's un-
easiness. 1t was strange journey,
and Doctor Lancasters behavior had
been stranger Then there was the
man Myers. loan felt a sudden sink
ing Of the heart; she was almost re-
gretfu that SHE had come.
colored mild brought up her suit
case.
! *This Is Lrky." said the matron.
AShp will do Inviting Won fell hnr