The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-01-23
Chapter XII
Il.

the lamp ana mold IL on nlgn. She
heard his screaming. terrified voice
above the uproar. He stood like some
squat statue Illuminating the space
above the dark In which Lancaster
and Lawson sprawled, clutching at
each other like two primeval cave
men.
1t was grotesque, for it was like a
man fighting with himself; and, in
fact, 1t might have been Lancaster
fighting with his evil angel. He was
no match for Lawson, but at first his
pent-up fury, at last unleashed,
matched the two equally. Then Law
son flung his adversary from him and
struggled to his knees. AS Lancaster
grasped him and tried to rise he flung
him down again. Lancaster's head
struck the corner Of the iron bedstead.
His hands Enclosed; he sighed and lay
perfectly still. Joan saw the look of
malignant rage upon Lawson's face,
saw him raise his heel above the face
Of the unconscious: man. He would
have ground out Lancaster's life, but
that Joan pulled the revolver from
her pocket and thrust it into his face
for the second time.
Lawson staggered backward, rage
and terror depicted upon his features
In the light of the swaying oil lamp.
At that moment Myers was crouching
near her. He set the lamp down.
Joan felt sharp pain in the upper
part of her arm. She saw the secre-
tary putting something into his pocket.
He lodged the wavering revolver and
backed toward the door, pulling Law
son with him.
s'Tm going to finish this!" yelled
Lawson.
Myers clutched at him and pulled
him into the hall. Joan heard Myers
eager whispers, and Lawson's strug-
giles and angry muttering gradually
subside.
Then she heard them enter the Sec
retary's room, and, forgetting them
instantly, she bent over Lancaster and
raised his head upon her knee.
He was breathing heavily. The
blow had only stunned him. Joan
tried to lift him upon the bed, but he
was too heavy for her. As she was
attempting to do so, however, the door
opened and Mrs. Fraser came in.
81 found a key she whispered,
trembling. II heard them fighting.
Heaven help me, what has that devil
done to the doctor?"
.'He isn't badly hurt" said Joan.
'.Help me get him upon the bed"
Mrs. Fraser and Joan succeeded.
Lancaster lay there, still unconscious.
The matron chung heavily to the bed
stead looking at Joan piteously.
II know it all now" she muttered.
Il should have known before If I'd
listened to the Millville gossip. That
devil is his brother
YES" said Joan shortly. "What
are you going to do. Mrs. Fraser"
I'm going to stand by the DOCTOR"
the woman answered. Il stood by him
year after year when I thought he
was possessed by an evil spirit.
Wouldn't | stand by him now?'
Good" said Joan. "And l, too.
Tomorrow we'll make short work of
those men,"
Heaven save you, you don't know
that man, Miss Wentworth" muttered
the matron. Hes devil. He has
no pity. And he has devil ten times
worse than himself"
Myers? Who is hep
''He was his assistant here. He was
tried once, they tell me. for poisoning
his sweetheart. He sent her candy
but they couldn't find any poison in
her body. 1t was his master made the
analysis, and he lied to get Myers free
and have his hold on him. It's all
plain TO me now, Miss Wentworth"
IF you knew this" said Joan, "you
should have told me; you should have
s's1old the police, told anyone rather
than let him drug Doctor Lancaster
day after day."
4 thought it was the doctor who
was in league with him." the matron
muttered. Miss Wentworth. I'm
timid, I'm easily frightened, but not
Nholner day VIII keep silent. 10
morrow"
"Yes, tomorrow" said Joan. you'd
better go'to bed now, Mrs. Fraser. I'll
guard the doctor with my revolver,
and tomorrow we'll end these years
of slavery. Doctor Lancaster is a free
man. Think of him as a free man.
The past Is all behind u.s."
The matron slipped away stealthily
TO her room. Joan took her seat be-
side Lancaster, listening to the inco-
herent mutterings which had begun
Presently his eyes opened. He stared
at her for some minutes until recog.
milton came into them.
"Joan!" he whispered, stretching
out his hand to hers.
She let him take and hold it, and
sat beside him, while he began NUT
tering again. Gradually he began to
realize where he was, and to re-
member.
ssIe III A.,,< 49,. 49,. L.