, 1924-02-13
CHAPTER xl-contihued.

Pierre kept beside him and stood by
the motor, hat still in his hand, while
the doctor talked irritably: mo. You
certainly can't see her, for some time.
| shall not allow anyone to see her
except the nurse. 1t will be a matter
Of weeks. She'll he lucky if she gets
back her sanity at all. She was en-
tirely out of her head there at the
theater. Shes worn out, nerves
frayed to a fragile. Horribly n
healthy life and unnatural. To take
n country girl, an ignorant, unframed,
healthy animal, bring her to the city,
INC force her under terrific pressure
into a life so foreign to her-well it
was just a piece of id brutality"
Then his acute eye suddenly fixed
Itself on the man standing on the curb
listening.
You're from the West yourself?"
Yes, SIR"
knew her in the old days-eh?"
Eyes, SIR" Pierre's voice was faint
and he put a hand against the motor.
well, why don't you take her back
with you to that life? You're not
feeling my too fit yourself, are you?
Look here. Get in and I'll drop you
where you belong" .
Pierre obeyed rather blindly and
leaned hack with closed eyes. The
doctor got out a flask and poured him
4 dose of brandy.
whats the trouble? Too much New
York;"
Pierre shook his head and smiled.
mo, sir. I've been bothered and
didn't get around to eating and sleep
Ing lately,"
''Then I'll take you to a
and We'll have supper. l need some
thing myself. And, look here, I'll
make you a promise. Just as soon ms
| consider her fit for an Interview
with anyone, I'll let you see Miss West.
That helps you a whole lot, doesn't
lit"
But there were other powers, be-
sides this friendly one. watching over
Joan, and they were bent upon keep
ing Pierre away. Day after sickening
day Pierre came and stood beside the
iesk, and the girl. zach time a little
more careless of him, a little more in
solent toward him-for the cowboy
would not notice her blouse and her
transformation and the invitation of
her eyes-gave him negligent and dis
couraging information.
Miss West was better. but very
weak. No. She wouldn't see anyone.
Yes, Mr.. Moreno could see her. but not
Mr.. Lands, certainly not Mr.. Pierre
Lands of Wyoming"
And the doctor, being questioned by
che half-frantic Westerner. admitted
that Mr.. Moreno had limited at reasons
why 1t might be dangerous for the
patient to see her old friend from the
West. Pierre stood to receive this
sentence. and after it his eye fell. The
doctor had seen the quick. desperate
moisture In them.
II tell you what. Landis,' he said,
putting a hand on Pierre's shoulder.
I'm willing TO take a risk. I'm sure
Of m thing. Miss West hasn't even
heard Of your Inquiries"
you mean Morena's making II up-
about her not being willing to see me?''
uo uieuh thut. Anu no uOuDI
he's doing 1t with the best intentions.
But I'm willing to take n risk. See
those stairs? You run up them to the
ifth floor. The nurse Is out. Gael
Is In attendance; that Is. he's In the
sitting-room. She doesn't know OF his
presence, hasn't been allowed To see
him. Miss Vests door-the outside
one-is ajar. Go up. Get past Gael
II you can. Behave yourself quietly.
and II you see the lenst sign of weak
ness on the part OF Miss West. or II
she shows the slightest Discrimination
for your company. come down-Tm
trusting you-as quickly us you can
md tell me. I'll walt, HIVE I your
promiseg'
Yes, sir" gasYed Pierre.
The doctor smiled nj the swift, lem
ing grace OF his western friends
ascent. lie was anxious concerning
the result Of his experiment. bur there
was n memory upon him " n haunted
look In Joan's eyes that seemed the
fellow To n look Of pierre's. He rnther
believed In lntultlons. especially his
own.