The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-11-28


is now worsted in his first field of
bdttIe."
Miss Wentworth, you see now what
am. can't hold you to your prom
Use. You must leave me. Who's that
at the door?
I'VE shall see," answered Joan. and
unlocked 1t.
Myers was standing outside. white
with rage, and with him was Doctor
jenkins, looking uneasy and embar.
rassed; his eyes fell before Joan's.
TELL her what you told mel" STAN
mered Myers beside himself with his
anger.
Miss Wentworth" faltered Jenkins.
indeed you don't understand what
you are doing. Doctor Lancaster"
rs a mighty sick man." burst out
the secretary. And it's my job to
prevent him from being killed by
meddlers. He picked this nurse up
somewhere and she's trying to get rid
of me and have the charge of the doc
tor. won't stand for it, he added
to Joan. Il warned you twice today,
and you paid no attention to me. Now
you can pack up and leave the insti-
tute. Isn't that right, doctorF he
added. to Lancaster.
To Joan's stupefaction, sLancaster's
old irresolution had already returned.
and more; he seemed to ally himself
with the secretary. The morphine,
which had restored his body, had lent
him its own false personality.
well, you see, Miss Wentworth
means WE'LL" he said slowly. but she
doesn't realize conditions. You see."
he added, turning to Joan but not
meeting her eyes. zone has to taper
off very slowly in desperate case
like mine. I'm very far gone. and
heroic measures are useless"
That's right. Now tell her to co."
said Myers.
"Yes. Miss Wentworth, really don't
believe that you can do any good here"
said Lancaster obediently. 1T was a
mistake. You shall be paid a full
months salary. Ask Mr.. Myers to
make out your check"
"She can drive back with Doctor
Jenkins now" suggested Myers.
"She can drive back with Doctor
Jenkins" agreed Lancaster, and Joan
saw the secretary-s pale face blaze
with triumph.
"And you might get me few more
bottles from the storeroom." whis-
pered Lancaster to Myers. "rm very
shaky. l must have enough on hand
in case wake up in the night. You
understand my needs. Myers" he con-
tinued. with catch of selfrpity In his
voice.
Joan did not hesitate a moment.
She slipped between the two men and
ran to the storeroom. With a NUT
tered oath Myers ran after her. The
girl was just in,time to slam the door
in his face and lean against 1t inside,
bracing her foot against plank and
using the whole weight of her body.
She heard Myers breathe heavily as
he tried to force his entrance. He
dashed himself madly against it, but
Joan knew that she would die rather
than yield.
"Open that door?' shrieked Myers.
in uncontrolled fury. open at once.
do you hear mef'
Joan looked hastily about her. Some
instinct seemed to tell her that the
case of morphine bottles was hidden
under the linen pile in the near corner.
BY stretching out one hand without
giving way in the least Joan could just
reach far enough to toss away the
napkins. There were dozens Of the
tiny bottles in the packing case be-
marlborough TO kill herd of oxen.
Joan heard Jenkins protesting voice
outside. and the irresolute tones of
Lancaster. The matron was speaking.
too. The girl did not know what they
were saying to Myers. beyond the gen
eral sense of their representations. but
she felt her will ride high above the
storm of conflict.
A hammer lay on the shelf. Joan
took 1t in her hand.
Il .Listen!' she cried to those outside.
Il nave Tie UOTpulHO anu nave Iu6
hammer. And / am going to break
every bottle in this room"
Lancaster cried out pitifully at her
words. miss Wentworth. you will kill
me If you dol"
unless this case passes into my
possession. | am going to have the
storeroom key, and am going to take
charge of Doctor Lancaster. who has
employed me for that especial pur-
pose. during this month";"
The silence of stupefaction outside
was complete. Joan flung the door
open boldly and stood before the
group. the hammer in her hand She
saw Lancaster. with eyes bent inquir-
ingly upon hers, the matron and Jen-
kins. mute. and Myers, leaning against
the opposite wall of the passage. re-
garding her with venomous Impotence.
"Well. what do you say to that. doc
tor?' he sneered.