The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-12-26
CHAPTER Wit Continued

She nodded happily. Il am ashamed
to feel SO gay when you are unhappy
she said.
Il am not unhappy, JOAN" he an
swered II thought over everything
last night. aAd l see now that you
were right. l shall 90 back. OF course
/ shall 60 back. / shall regain what
have lost, and shall face my enemies
and beat Them"
At ten o'clock the horse was har-
messed and the drive back began.
At first Joan, seated at her lovers
side. shreathed in; the mountain air,
the sense Of freedom, the scent OF the
pines, the joy Of the sunlight. Then
the peaks began to tower above them.
The dulied valley air struck some
thing from her joy. but not too much
for her to dream. She looked fondly
at Lancaster, who drew her hand into
his.
II am going back to win" he said
again,
Later the. sun went into clouds. The
air grew moister, the hills inclosed
them. the familiar landmarks began
to reappear. And now something Of
Lancaster's dependency Of the eve
ming before came over Joan. And
again, as IL sensing her mood. he re-
iterated:
4 am going back to fight and win.
my dear
But when the institute came into
sight at last the long. gaunt building
cast its chill over the girls heart. In
contrast with the mountain village
Lancaster was depressing and lonely.
And Joan was conscious of one grip
ping fear. Suppose that Myers had
returned!
She understood now how Lancaster
had felt the evening before when he
said he would never go back. 1t was
like plunging out of the sunlight into
dark mountain pool.
The matron came forward as the
buggy stopped Joan looked at her
In terror. But her face was placid
enough, and she was able to read In it
the secretary's continued absence.
"Dr. Lancaster, there was tele-
! phone message for you few minutes
70 from Avonmouth,' she said.
Lancaster leaped from the buggy
d helped Joan down. "I'll be with
u in few moments" he said,
rowing the relns over the hitching
y.
wept unto the house. His step
irn, Ms demeanor unruffied; the
on, who followed him. seemed I'M
hrbed. But already everything was
hged. The black shadow Of Myers
Wze@ed to loom up until II overspread
the Institute 9gain. Joan paced the
porch in fear which gathered strength
each moment that Lancaster failed to
return. When at last she saw him
coming her suspense was Enbearable.
She looked at him in mute fear as
he laid his hand carelessly upon her
shoulder.
Il have to go to Avonmouth at
once" he said. II have no choice in
the matter. II is patient who must
undergo an operation my operation
within twelve hours. 1t is fortunate
that we have the buggy, because !
shall just have time to catch the aft
ernoon train and get into Avonmouth
at Midnight
Then he looked at her white face
and read the fear in 1t. IF you tell
me to stay, I'll say" he said.
"And the patient? whispered Joan.
Will die. No. of course j shall GO
Nothing could keep me from going.
not even you, my dear. But you would
not have me stay"
you are right. Yes, of course you
must 60. But am afraid" said JOAN
II am afraid Of Myers"
He started. as il he. too. had been
thinking Of the secretary. but the
man can't harm me, dear" he said.
THE message came from him T"
cried Joan In fear.
Lancaster looked away. But, when
she repeated the question he an
swered. "No."
.'He is at Avonmouth. Is he not
there?" she asked.
We'll. Joan. l think he is" said
Lancaster reluctantly. "But he may
not be. only know that the message
was not from him.r
1T was not from the hospital? Not
from MACPHERSON"
ut was from man connected with
the hospital" said Lancaster. but
\ it was not from MACPHERSON and not
from Myers, and II did not mention
Myers name. Why, my dear. you
mustn't give way to nerves now that
am losing mine. 1t Is simple request
for me to operate tomorrow"
She pulled herself together. "Of
course you must go. john she said
again. She put her arms about his
neck. Dear. If you should see that
man. you will not fall Into any trap
that he may set for your" she asked.
"You are so strong. you win not let
him trample ON you? You are yourself
hgain. and you win remain SO for my
sakeY
.sNeter fearl" he answered cheer